Enhancing Digital Mental Health Platforms for Youth Engagement

Importance of Mental Health Literacy for Young People

Mental health literacy (MHL) refers to the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid in their recognition, management, or prevention (AlMekkawi et al., 2025). It is crucial for young people, especially as mental health issues are increasingly prevalent among adolescents and young adults. According to the World Health Organization, mental health conditions significantly contribute to the global burden of disease, with a notable rise in anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders among youth (World Health Organization, 2020).

In nursing students, MHL is particularly important as it equips future healthcare providers with the necessary skills to recognize mental health issues in patients and themselves. A study indicated that nursing students with higher MHL scores were more likely to seek help and adhere to treatment recommendations (AlMekkawi et al., 2025). Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need for effective mental health interventions, highlighting the necessity for educational programs that enhance MHL (Davenport et al., 2020).

Table 1: Key Findings on Mental Health Literacy

Key Features of Effective Digital Mental Health Platforms

Digital mental health (dMH) platforms, such as Innowell, serve as vital tools in addressing the mental health needs of youth. These platforms offer personalized measurement-based care, enabling users to track their mental health while collaborating with healthcare providers.

Essential Features of dMH Platforms

1. Privacy and Security: Enhancing user trust through robust data protection measures is crucial. Youth are particularly concerned about confidentiality when disclosing sensitive mental health information (Daniel et al., 2025).

2. User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive dashboard that simplifies navigation and accessibility is essential for sustained youth engagement. Many youths prefer mobile applications over web-based platforms (Daniel et al., 2025).

3. Progress Tracking: Features that allow users to visualize their mental health trends can motivate continued usage, as youth often find it beneficial to see their progress over time (Daniel et al., 2025).

4. Customization: The ability to tailor notifications and content based on individual preferences increases engagement. Youth expressed a desire for platforms to provide personalized reminders and educational resources relevant to their situations (Daniel et al., 2025).

Table 2: Features Enhancing Youth Engagement in dMH Platforms

Building Trust: Privacy and Security in Digital Health Tools

Building trust among youth users is fundamental to the success of dMH platforms. A study indicated that over 72% of youth would be more likely to use a platform that clearly communicates data protection measures (Daniel et al., 2025). Concerns about data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information can deter youth from engaging with mental health services.

Strategies for Building Trust

• Transparent Communication: Platforms must transparently explain how user data is collected, used, and protected. This helps alleviate concerns regarding privacy and encourages greater engagement.

• User Control: Providing youth with control over their data, including who can access it, enhances feelings of autonomy and safety. This is particularly crucial for youth who may have strained relationships with parents or guardians.

• Crisis Support Features: Including easily accessible crisis support options, such as a “chat now” feature, can further foster trust by ensuring help is readily available in emergencies (Daniel et al., 2025).

Strategies for Sustained Engagement in Digital Mental Health

To ensure sustained usage of dMH platforms, several strategies can be implemented:

1. Onboarding and Education

Effective onboarding processes that provide comprehensive training on how to use the platform can enhance user engagement. Youth participants expressed a preference for collaborative onboarding facilitated by healthcare providers.

2. Regular Engagement and Motivation Strategies

Incorporating timely notifications, reminders, and rewards for consistent platform use can help maintain youth engagement. Personalization is key; participants noted that customizable notifications would help them stay engaged with the platform (Daniel et al., 2025).

Table 3: Strategies for Sustained Engagement

Recommendations for Tailoring Digital Health Solutions to Youth

To meet the needs of young users effectively, dMH platforms should implement the following recommendations:

• Involve Youth in Design: Engaging youth in the design and implementation phases ensures that their needs and preferences are met, leading to a more user-centered platform.

• Enhance Accessibility: Offering offline functionality and ensuring the platform is accessible across various devices can help reach a broader audience, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

• Focus on Community Engagement: Collaborate with community organizations to promote awareness and understanding of the platform, ensuring that marginalized groups are considered in the outreach efforts.

Table 4: Recommendations for Tailoring dMH Solutions

FAQ Section

What is mental health literacy (MHL)?

MHL refers to the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid in their recognition, management, or prevention.

Why is privacy important in digital mental health platforms?

Privacy is crucial because youth are often concerned about confidentiality when disclosing personal mental health information.

How can digital mental health platforms sustain user engagement?

Platforms can sustain user engagement through effective onboarding, timely notifications, progress tracking features, and personalization.

What role does progress tracking play in digital mental health platforms?

Progress tracking helps users visualize their mental health trends, encouraging continued use and self-reflection.

How can youth be involved in the development of digital mental health platforms?

Youth can be involved through consultations during the design phase, helping create features that meet their specific needs and preferences.

References

1. AlMekkawi, M., ElKhalil, R., Arul Raj, A. R., Bashayreh, I., Elbarazi, I., Al Maqbali, M., Hughes, C. (2025). Mental health literacy in nursing students: Insights from a cross-sectional analysis. PLOS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0323728

2. World Health Organization. (2020). Youth: the future is ours! [Online]

3. Davenport, T. A., Cheng, V. W., Iorfino, F., & others. (2020). The internet as a setting for mental health service utilisation by young people. Med J Aust

4. Daniel, S., Volcko, L. B., Bassi, E., Hews-Girard, J., Bright, K., Barker, M., Norman, L., Pintson, K., Henry, G., Soufi, S., Omorotionmwan, C. E., Fersovitch, M., Stamp, L., Moskovic, K., Johnson, D. W., Dimitropoulos, G. (2025). Exploring youth perspectives on digital mental health platforms: Qualitative descriptive study. JMIR Human Factors. https://doi.org/10.2196/69907