The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report detailing the outcomes of a virtual roundtable meeting held on October 4, 2023. The meeting aimed to discuss guiding principles for the development of online mental health content tailored to the needs of young people.
Twenty-two global health experts participated in the discussions, representing diverse backgrounds in digital media, child and adolescent mental health, and suicide prevention.
The experts, hailing from 16 different countries, engaged in dialogue centered around exploring effective strategies for promoting young people’s well-being and mental health through online platforms.
Before the meeting, WHO conducted a rapid review to examine existing literature and gather perspectives from young people through focus group discussions. This review aimed to identify evidence-based approaches and understand the preferences of young individuals regarding online mental health content.
The meeting primarily focused on young people aged 13-17 years due to limited research on audiences under 13 years. While no formal WHO guidelines were established during the meeting, participants proposed actionable points aimed at benefiting young people and guiding future work in this area.
Guiding Principles for Developmentally Appropriate Online Mental Health Content
The report identified 10 guiding principles for developmentally appropriate online mental health content. These principles encompassed areas such as emotional relevance, practical advice, relatable language, diversity and inclusivity, and alignment with human rights standards.
Experts discussed key considerations for implementing these principles during the roundtable meeting.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
Several key takeaways emerged from the meeting discussions. Participants highlighted the importance of recognizing the diverse neurocognitive and developmental profiles of children and adolescents. They emphasized the need for regularly adapting guiding principles to align with the evolving digital landscape and the specific needs of young people.
Furthermore, participants underscored the significance of integrating online mental health content with offline support services and ensuring that content promotes help-seeking behavior while avoiding narratives that may inadvertently cause harm or contribute to stigma.
Despite the valuable insights gained from the meeting, participants acknowledged significant challenges in establishing universally applicable principles. Issues such as cultural norms, digital inequity, data privacy concerns, and the lack of evidence from low-income settings were cited as notable obstacles.
Recognizing the need for further collaboration and research, WHO emphasized that the insights from the meeting represent an initial step in informing approaches to support young people’s mental health online.
Future efforts may involve additional research, validation mechanisms for content, identification of exemplary practices, and engagement with multiple stakeholder groups.
Overall, the report highlights the importance of developing developmentally-appropriate online mental health content for young people and underscores the ongoing commitment to improving mental health support through digital platforms.
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