Authors: Thi Quynh Anh Ho1, Lidia Engel2 , Jemimah Ride2 ,3, Long Khanh-Dao Le2 , Glenn Melvin4, Ha N.D Le1*, Cathrine Mihalopoulos1,2 *
Affiliations:
1 Institute of Health Transformation, Deakin Health Economics, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2 Monash University Health Economics Group, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3 Health Economics Unit, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
4 School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*: Joint senior authors
Affiliations:
1 Institute of Health Transformation, Deakin Health Economics, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2 Monash University Health Economics Group, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3 Health Economics Unit, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
4 School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*: Joint senior authors
Summary:
|
|
One in four young Australians (16-24 years) experience symptoms of anxiety or depression each year, yet less than half of them saw a health professional for their mental health treatment in 2020-22, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Web-based mental health interventions (W-MHIs) – a digital platform that provide mental health support via websites – have shown comparable effectiveness to face-to-face treatments in reducing anxiety and depression, making them a valuable alternative, especially for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms who may hesitate to access in-person mental health services. W-MHIs offer accessible, lower-cost options for those needing mental health support. Despites these advantages, many young people discontinue use shortly after starting or do not complete the full intervention. Such low engagement with W-MHIs potentially limits the interventions’ benefits for their mental wellbeing.
This research used a discrete choice experiment to explore young Australians' preferences for W-MHIs. This research found a strong preference for interventions that were low-cost, offered professional support within the platform – via chat, email, or audio/video calls – and require a manageable overall time duration for completion. On the other hand, high out-of-pocket costs and extensive time (e.g., around 12 hours) discouraged engagement. Other features explored in this research, including quizzes between modules, initial screening assessments, and user-to-user communication on the platform, were less important in influencing engagement. Among all intervention-related characteristics examined, cost was the most important factor, followed by professional support and the total time required to complete the intervention.
This research used a discrete choice experiment to explore young Australians' preferences for W-MHIs. This research found a strong preference for interventions that were low-cost, offered professional support within the platform – via chat, email, or audio/video calls – and require a manageable overall time duration for completion. On the other hand, high out-of-pocket costs and extensive time (e.g., around 12 hours) discouraged engagement. Other features explored in this research, including quizzes between modules, initial screening assessments, and user-to-user communication on the platform, were less important in influencing engagement. Among all intervention-related characteristics examined, cost was the most important factor, followed by professional support and the total time required to complete the intervention.
This research suggests strategies to make W-MHIs more appealing to young people and enhance engagement with these interventions. First, healthcare providers should deliver W-MHIs at low cost, ensuring the affordability for young people across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Second, W-MHIs should incorporate flexible options to access health professionals within the platform, such as via chats, emails, audio or video calls, to enhance user experience and meet users’ varied needs. Third, to mitigate cost barrier to digital mental health support, intervention developers and healthcare providers should ensure that professional support is available as part of the W-MHIs and that the time required to complete the interventions is reasonable. Lastly, Australian health authorities should develop guidelines to recommend a reasonable range for total intervention duration, ensuring that W-MHIs are effective while avoiding the interventions from becoming overly time-consuming based on user preferences. These strategies will help sustain young people's engagement with W-MHIs and maximize the benefits of the interventions.
The Australian government’s recent investment in “low-intensity digital mental health interventions” reflects the growing role of digital solutions in mental health care. This research highlights the importance of understanding young people’s preferences for W-MHIs to make these interventions more engaging and helpful, so that young Australians can get the mental health support they need. Regular feedback on specific interventions can inform the development and refinement of W-MHIs and related policies, helping to maintain their relevant and impactful.
The Australian government’s recent investment in “low-intensity digital mental health interventions” reflects the growing role of digital solutions in mental health care. This research highlights the importance of understanding young people’s preferences for W-MHIs to make these interventions more engaging and helpful, so that young Australians can get the mental health support they need. Regular feedback on specific interventions can inform the development and refinement of W-MHIs and related policies, helping to maintain their relevant and impactful.
Source: Photo by Upsplash
