Digital Technology Interventions for Preventing and Treating Youth Depression

Abstract

Youth depression has been linked to a lower standard of living, poorer mental health in adulthood, and even suicide. Therefore, effective prevention and treatment of depression in this population is a global health concern. However, there is a significant gap between evidence-based interventions and those applied in the real world. The use of digital technologies as an alternative or adjunct to conventional mental health services has the potential to promote the integration of evidence-based interventions in real-world settings and increase prevention and treatment access for underserved populations. Current evidence shows promising results on the efficacy of these interventions in youth. However, these interventions are not without limitations and challenges, such as adherence and acceptability issues. In addition, there are currently several gaps in the research and evidence for these interventions, limiting their use and application on a larger scale. Therefore, for digital interventions to reach their full potential, more research and development are required, especially in the young population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)