Published on in Vol 8, No 3 (2021): March

Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/26811, first published .
Digital Mental Health Challenges and the Horizon Ahead for Solutions

Digital Mental Health Challenges and the Horizon Ahead for Solutions

Digital Mental Health Challenges and the Horizon Ahead for Solutions

Authors of this article:

Luke Balcombe1 Author Orcid Image ;   Diego De Leo1 Author Orcid Image

Journals

  1. Konhäusner P, Seidentopf R. Digital Marketing Effects of Clubhouse on Crowdfunding in the Context of COVID-19. Journal of Risk and Financial Management 2021;14(8):347 View
  2. Minian N, Gayapersad A, Saiva A, Dragonetti R, Kidd S, Strudwick G, Selby P. An e–Mental Health Resource for COVID-19–Associated Stress Reduction: Mixed Methods Study of Reach, Usability, and User Perceptions. JMIR Mental Health 2022;9(8):e39885 View
  3. Peng X, Wang-Trexler N, Magagna W, Land S, Peck K. Learning Agility of Learning and Development Professionals in the Life Sciences Field During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Empirical Study. Interactive Journal of Medical Research 2022;11(1):e33360 View
  4. Balcombe L, De Leo D. Human-Computer Interaction in Digital Mental Health. Informatics 2022;9(1):14 View
  5. Kellogg K, Sadeh-Sharvit S. Pragmatic AI-augmentation in mental healthcare: Key technologies, potential benefits, and real-world challenges and solutions for frontline clinicians. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022;13 View
  6. Drissi N, Ouhbi S, Amiri L, Al Mugaddam F, Jan R, Isomursu M. A Conceptual Framework to Design Connected Mental Health Solutions in the United Arab Emirates: Questionnaire Study. JMIR Formative Research 2022;6(2):e27675 View
  7. Kotera Y, Rennick-Egglestone S, Ng F, Llewellyn-Beardsley J, Ali Y, Newby C, Fox C, Slade E, Bradstreet S, Harrison J, Franklin D, Todowede O, Slade M. Assessing Diversity and Inclusivity is the Next Frontier in Mental Health Recovery Narrative Research and Practice. JMIR Mental Health 2023;10:e44601 View
  8. Tutun S, Johnson M, Ahmed A, Albizri A, Irgil S, Yesilkaya I, Ucar E, Sengun T, Harfouche A. An AI-based Decision Support System for Predicting Mental Health Disorders. Information Systems Frontiers 2023;25(3):1261 View
  9. Balcombe L, De Leo D. The Potential Impact of Adjunct Digital Tools and Technology to Help Distressed and Suicidal Men: An Integrative Review. Frontiers in Psychology 2022;12 View
  10. Golz C, Aarts S, Hacking C, Hahn S, Zwakhalen S. Health professionals’ sentiments towards implemented information technologies in psychiatric hospitals: a text-mining analysis. BMC Health Services Research 2022;22(1) View
  11. Balcombe L, De Leo D. Evaluation of the Use of Digital Mental Health Platforms and Interventions: Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022;20(1):362 View
  12. Baños R, Herrero R, Vara M. What is the Current and Future Status of Digital Mental Health Interventions?. The Spanish Journal of Psychology 2022;25 View
  13. Saini P, Chopra J, Hanlon C, Boland J. The adaptation of a community-based suicide prevention intervention during the COVID19 pandemic: a mixed method study. Cogent Psychology 2022;9(1) View
  14. Scott S, Knott V, Finlay-Jones A, Mancini V. Australian Psychologists Experiences with Digital Mental Health: a Qualitative Investigation. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science 2022;8(4):341 View
  15. Newn J, Kelly R, D'Alfonso S, Lederman R. Examining and Promoting Explainable Recommendations for Personal Sensing Technology Acceptance. Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies 2022;6(3):1 View
  16. Rusch A, Carley I, Badola P, Liebrecht C, McInnis M, Ryan K, Smith S. Digital mental health interventions for chronic serious mental illness: Findings from a qualitative study on usability and scale-up of the Life Goals app for bipolar disorder. Frontiers in Digital Health 2022;4 View
  17. Balcombe L, De Leo D. Digital Mental Health Amid COVID-19. Encyclopedia 2021;1(4):1047 View
  18. Perdacher E, Kavanagh D, Sheffield J, Healy K, Dale P, Heffernan E. Using the Stay Strong App for the Well-being of Indigenous Australian Prisoners: Feasibility Study. JMIR Formative Research 2022;6(4):e32157 View
  19. Balcombe L, De Leo D. Linking music streaming platform advertisements with a digital mental health assessment and interventions. Frontiers in Digital Health 2022;4 View
  20. Balcombe L, De Leo D. The Impact of YouTube on Loneliness and Mental Health. Informatics 2023;10(2):39 View
  21. Chong M, Hickie I, Cross S, McKenna S, Varidel M, Capon W, Davenport T, LaMonica H, Sawrikar V, Guastella A, Naismith S, Scott E, Iorfino F. Digital Application of Clinical Staging to Support Stratification in Youth Mental Health Services: Validity and Reliability Study. JMIR Formative Research 2023;7:e45161 View
  22. Gauthier-Beaupré A, Grosjean S. Understanding acceptability of digital health technologies among francophone-speaking communities across the world: a meta-ethnographic study. Frontiers in Communication 2023;8 View
  23. Oudin A, Maatoug R, Bourla A, Ferreri F, Bonnot O, Millet B, Schoeller F, Mouchabac S, Adrien V. Digital Phenotyping: Data-Driven Psychiatry to Redefine Mental Health. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2023;25:e44502 View
  24. Huxley P, Krayer A, Poole R, Gromadzka A, Jie D, Nafees S. The Goldberg–Huxley model of the pathway to psychiatric care: 21st-century systematic review. BJPsych Open 2023;9(4) View
  25. Douet Vannucci V, Marchand T, Hennequin A, Caci H, Staccini P. The EPIDIA4Kids protocol for a digital epidemiology study on brain functioning in children, based on a multimodality biometry tool running on an unmodified tablet. Frontiers in Public Health 2023;11 View
  26. Goodmann D, Brown L, Bunge E, Leykin Y. Initial Examination of DAHLIA: A Fully-automated Internet Intervention for Women Survivors of Sexual Assault. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science 2023;9(2):335 View
  27. Lin X, Martinengo L, Jabir A, Ho A, Car J, Atun R, Tudor Car L. Scope, Characteristics, Behavior Change Techniques, and Quality of Conversational Agents for Mental Health and Well-Being: Systematic Assessment of Apps. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2023;25:e45984 View
  28. Balcombe L. AI Chatbots in Digital Mental Health. Informatics 2023;10(4):82 View
  29. Aich K, Kashyap S, Tyagi K, Verma I, Chauhan A, Jain C. Understanding the Potentiality of Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Disorders Detection and Diagnostics. OBM Neurobiology 2023;07(04):1 View
  30. Armaou M. Research Trends in the Study of Acceptability of Digital Mental Health-Related Interventions: A Bibliometric and Network Visualisation Analysis. Social Sciences 2024;13(2):114 View
  31. Ho T, Le L, Engel L, Le N, Melvin G, Le H, Mihalopoulos C. Barriers to and facilitators of user engagement with web-based mental health interventions in young people: a systematic review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2025;34(1):83 View
  32. Riboldi I, Calabrese A, Piacenti S, Capogrosso C, Paioni S, Bartoli F, Carrà G, Armes J, Taylor C, Crocamo C. Understanding University Students' Perspectives towards Digital Tools for Mental Health Support: A Cross-country Study. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health 2024;20(1) View
  33. Park N, Jang S. App-Based Digital Health Equity Determinants According to Ecological Models: Scoping Review. Sustainability 2024;16(6):2232 View
  34. Thakkar A, Gupta A, De Sousa A. Artificial intelligence in positive mental health: a narrative review. Frontiers in Digital Health 2024;6 View
  35. Geraldo A, Dores A, Mendes-Santos C, Barbosa F. Guidelines for the Provision of Remote Psychological Services. European Psychologist 2024;29(1):55 View
  36. Saeidnia H, Hashemi Fotami S, Lund B, Ghiasi N. Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence Interventions for Mental Health and Well-Being: Ensuring Responsible Implementation and Impact. Social Sciences 2024;13(7):381 View
  37. Risling T, Kassam I, Shin H, Carlberg C, Moss T, Chen S, Ma C, Strudwick G. Implementation of a population mental health and wellness text-message service: a mixed-methods study. BMC Digital Health 2024;2(1) View
  38. Campos S, Nuñez D, Pérez J, Robinson J. Characterization of Psychopathology in Latin American Adolescents Using a Web-Based Screening Tool: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Formative Research 2024;8:e57038 View
  39. Mlakar I, Arioz U, Smrke U, Plohl N, Šafran V, Rojc M. An End-to-End framework for extracting observable cues of depression from diary recordings. Expert Systems with Applications 2024;257:125025 View
  40. Rachmayanti R, Dewi F, Setiyawati D, Megatsari H, Diana R, Vinarti R. Using Digital Media to Improve Adolescent Resilience and Prevent Mental Health Problems: Protocol for a Scoping Review. JMIR Research Protocols 2024;13:e58681 View
  41. González-Mohíno M, Ramos-Ruiz J, López-Castro J, García-García L. Maximizing student satisfaction in education: Instagram's role in motivation, communication, and participation. The International Journal of Management Education 2024;22(3):101045 View
  42. Wani C, McCann L, Lennon M, Radu C. Digital Mental Health Interventions for Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2024;26:e51376 View
  43. Hoose S, Králiková K. Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care: Management Implications, Ethical Challenges, and Policy Considerations. Administrative Sciences 2024;14(9):227 View
  44. Chaturvedi A. Exploring empathy in artificial intelligence: synthesis and paths for future research. Information Discovery and Delivery 2024 View
  45. Moretti F, Bortolini T, Hartle L, Moll J, Mattos P, Furtado D, Fontenelle L, Fischer R. Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil. Frontiers in Digital Health 2024;6 View
  46. Chitale V, Henry J, Liang H, Matthews B, Baghaei N. Virtual reality analytics map (VRAM): A conceptual framework for detecting mental disorders using virtual reality data. New Ideas in Psychology 2025;76:101127 View
  47. Varghese M, Sharma P, Patwardhan M. Public Perception on Artificial Intelligence–Driven Mental Health Interventions: Survey Research. JMIR Formative Research 2024;8:e64380 View
  48. Mikelsone E, Spilbergs A, Segers J. Digital Healthcare Innovations and Idea Management. Journal of Economics, Innovative Management and Entrepreneurship 2024;2(3) View
  49. Das K, Gavade P. A review on the efficacy of artificial intelligence for managing anxiety disorders. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence 2024;7 View
  50. Yin R, Martinengo L, Smith H, Subramaniam M, Griva K, Tudor Car L. The views and experiences of older adults regarding digital mental health interventions: a systematic review of qualitative studies. The Lancet Healthy Longevity 2024;5(11):100638 View
  51. Khosravi M, Izadi R, Azar G. Factors Influencing the Engagement with Electronic Mental Health Technologies: A Systematic Review of Reviews. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 2025;52(2):415 View
  52. Morgan P, Cogan N. Using artificial intelligence to address mental health inequalities: co-creating machine learning algorithms with key stakeholders and citizen engagement. Journal of Public Mental Health 2024 View
  53. Huberty J, Beatty C. Integrating science into digital health workflows: A strategic approach for leaders. DIGITAL HEALTH 2024;10 View
  54. Stein O, Prost A. Exploring the societal implications of digital mental health technologies: A critical review. SSM - Mental Health 2024;6:100373 View
  55. Rogan J, Firth J, Bucci S. Healthcare Professionals' Views on the Use of Passive Sensing and Machine Learning Approaches in Secondary Mental Healthcare: A Qualitative Study. Health Expectations 2024;27(6) View
  56. Kidd S, D'Arcey J, Tackaberry-Giddens L, Asuncion T, Agrawal S, Chen S, Wang W, McKenzie K, Zhou W, Luo S, Feldcamp L, Kaleis L, Zedan S, Foussias G, Kozloff N, Voineskos A. App for independence: A feasibility randomized controlled trial of a digital health tool for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia Research 2025;275:52 View
  57. Priyam Jyoti Das , Pdiangmon Kyndait , Sungjemrenla I Jamir , Dhiraj Baishya , Juganta Kumar Kalita , Lobsang Tenzing Komu . The Role of Technology in Mental Health: Evaluating Digital Interventions for Psychological Well-being. International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology 2024;11(6):366 View
  58. Harris D, Martinez-Ramos G, Romero R, Watt T. Incorporating Stakeholder Voices into Data Dashboards: A Qualitative Study of the State of Texas Mental Health Dashboard. Community Mental Health Journal 2025 View
  59. Ojio Y, Amemiya R, Oliffe J, Rice S. Mental health help-seeking knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among male elite rugby players: the role of masculine health-related values. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2025;11(1):e002275 View
  60. Sharma P, Wagani R, Varghese M. Bibliometric analysis of research in ethical concerns and dilemmas of digital mental health care in the last two decades. Frontiers in Human Dynamics 2025;6 View
  61. Georgaca E. Turning challenge to opportunity: Clinical psychology investigations into contemporary mental health needs and care. Psychology: the Journal of the Hellenic Psychological Society 2024;29(2):284 View
  62. Raje A, Rozatkar A, Mehta U, Shrivastava R, Bondre A, Ahmad M, Malviya A, Sen Y, Tugnawat D, Bhan A, Modak T, Das N, Nagendra S, Lane E, Castillo J, Naslund J, Torous J, Choudhary S. Designing smartphone-based cognitive assessments for schizophrenia: Perspectives from a multisite study. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition 2025;40:100347 View
  63. Rahsepar Meadi M, Sillekens T, Metselaar S, van Balkom A, Bernstein J, Batelaan N. Exploring the Ethical Challenges of Conversational AI in Mental Health Care: Scoping Review. JMIR Mental Health 2025;12:e60432 View
  64. Mansoor M, Hamide A, Tran T. Conversational AI in Pediatric Mental Health: A Narrative Review. Children 2025;12(3):359 View
  65. Esmaeilzadeh P, Hassanein K, Head M. AI-human interactions in healthcare: exploring users’ post-adoption behaviors of AI mental health chatbots. Behaviour & Information Technology 2025:1 View
  66. Berkout O, Barena E. Mental Health Shortfalls: Perceptions of Unmet Needs and Barriers and Facilitators to Receiving Care. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 2025;52(3):594 View
  67. Bifftu B, Thomas S, Win K. Users’ positive attitudes, perceived usefulness, and intentions to use digital mental health interventions: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Computers in Biology and Medicine 2025;190:110080 View
  68. Sunal Z, Berkout O. Bridging the Gap: Rural Mental Health Providers’ Insights on Technology and Care—A Qualitative Content Analysis. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science 2025 View
  69. Serra E, Magalhães T. Telemedicine as an Approach to the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in Angola. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2025;22(4):565 View
  70. Salvador-Carulla L, Lukersmith S, Woods C, Chen T, de Miquel C. A protocol using mixed methods for the impact analysis of the implementation of the EMPOWER project: an eHealth intervention to promote mental health and well-being in European workplaces. BMJ Open 2025;15(4):e082219 View
  71. de Oliveira A, Azevedo J, Ruback L, Moreira R, Teixeira S, Teles A. Effect of Explainable Artificial Intelligence on Trust of Mental Health Professionals in an AI-Based System for Suicide Prevention. IEEE Access 2025;13:60987 View
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Books/Policy Documents

  1. Balcombe L, De Leo D. Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Resilience During the Pandemic Period - Anthropological and Psychological Perspectives. View
  2. Simões de Almeida R, Silva T. Exploring the Convergence of Computer and Medical Science Through Cloud Healthcare. View
  3. Dumitru C. Developing Curriculum for Emergency Remote Learning Environments. View
  4. Safa R, Edalatpanah S, Sorourkhah A. Deep Learning in Personalized Healthcare and Decision Support. View
  5. Siddhanta M, Kuriansky J, Barry E. Resilient Health. View
  6. Chakraborty T, Sharada V, Gohain D. AI Technologies and Advancements for Psychological Well-Being and Healthcare. View
  7. Eisenstadt M. Integrated Science for Sustainable Development Goal 3. View
  8. Ghosh D, Ghatak S, Paul H. Biomedical Robots and Devices in Healthcare. View
  9. Xatse E. The Palgrave Handbook of Mental Health Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa. View
  10. Carneiro L, Gomes A. AI in Mental Health. View

Conference Proceedings

  1. Ammar N, Zareie P, Hare M, Rogers L, Madubuonwu S, Yaun J, Shaban-Nejad A. 2021 IEEE International Conference on Big Data (Big Data). SPACES: Explainable Multimodal AI for Active Surveillance, Diagnosis, and Management of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) View
  2. Tassnim R, Tawfic Ja'far R, Al-Tarawneh A. 2024 2nd International Conference on Cyber Resilience (ICCR). Analyzing the Challenges Facing Digital Mental Health (DMH) Between Aspiration and Reality View
  3. Shen Y, Yu X, Liao X. 2024 4th International Conference on Educational Technology (ICET). Assessment and Intervention for Children with Autism: Are AI Technology Interventions Effective? View
  4. A B, Scaria J, Trivedi A, Sharma T, Yadav A, Nair R. 2024 IEEE 4th International Conference on ICT in Business Industry & Government (ICTBIG). Exploring Ethical Dimensions of Employing Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in Healthcare Environments View
  5. Gayathri S, Pradeep M, Prasad N. 2025 3rd International Conference on Intelligent Data Communication Technologies and Internet of Things (IDCIoT). MANAS: Integrating Advanced AI for Personalized Mental Health Support, Crisis Intervention, and Medical Insights View
  6. Doron G, Derby D, Gamoran A. Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Gamifying Mental Health Treatment: A Mobile Interface Design for PTSD Intervention View
  7. Burgess E, Munson S, Mohr D, Reddy M. Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. What's In Your Kit? Mental Health Technology Kits for Depression Self-Management View
  8. Sundarambal B, H A, Subramanian S, Karthikeyini C, G S, N K. 2025 International Conference on Data Science, Agents & Artificial Intelligence (ICDSAAI). Mental Healthcare Chatbots: Technological Advancements, Challenges, and Opportunities View

Dissertations

  1. . Comprehensive Evaluation of VA-Developed PTSD Apps: A Systematic Review, MARS Scale Assessment, and User Review Analysis through Thematic and Path Analysis. View