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Effectiveness of information and communication technologies interventions to increase mental health literacy: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Tay Jing Ling,
Tay Yi Fen,
KlaininYobas Piyanee
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12695
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , mental health literacy , mental health , stigma (botany) , randomized controlled trial , anxiety , psychiatry , medicine , systematic review , clinical psychology , psychology , mental illness , medline , surgery , political science , law
Aim Most mental health conditions affect adolescent and young adults. The onset of many mental disorders occurs in the young age. This is a critical period to implement interventions to enhance mental health literacy (MHL) and to prevent the occurrence of mental health problems. This systematic review examined the effectiveness of information and communication technologies interventions on MHL (recognition of conditions, stigma and help‐seeking). Methods The authors searched for both published and unpublished studies. Results Nineteen studies were included with 9 randomized controlled trials and 10 quasi‐experimental studies. Informational interventions were useful to enhance MHL of less‐known disorders such as anxiety disorder and anorexia, but not depression. Interventions that were effective in enhancing depression MHL comprised active component such as videos or quizzes. Interventions that successfully elevated MHL also reduced stigma. Elevated MHL levels did not improve help‐seeking, and reduction in stigma levels did not enhance help‐seeking behaviours. Conclusions Future good quality, large‐scale, multi‐sites randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate MHL interventions.