Teachers’ and health professionals’ attitudes towards adolescent mental health and digital mental health interventions

ABSTRACT

Background: With the rapid rise in technology, digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have been created across a range of platforms. Despite mixed consensus about their effectiveness and uptake, they may play a pivotal role in addressing barriers to accessing mental health support particularly, for adolescents. It is important to understand teachers’ and health professionals’ attitudes towards adolescent mental health and DMHIs as they may play key roles in supporting this population.

Aim: The study aimed to explore teachers’ and health professionals’ attitudes on adolescent mental health and DMHIs.

Method: A 2020 anonymous online survey consisting of five open-ended questions and one closed question was undertaken by a total of 98 participants (49 college teachers, 23 health school teachers, 21 psychologists, 3 school counsellors, and 2 social workers).

Results: Teachers and health professionals identified the need for DMHIs to support adolescents in New Zealand with their mental health. Teachers and health professionals shared similar views about the advantages of using DMHIs including increasing the accessibility of treatment and the need to use various approaches. Although participants expressed concerns about the lack of face-to-face contact with DMHIs, many were optimistic about using them.

Conclusion: Teachers’ and health professionals’ attitudes towards adolescent mental health and DMHIs are important to consider when understanding the role these tools may play in school and therapeutic settings.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the teachers and health professionals that were involved with this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).