Implementing digital tools for mental health support in young individuals in Colombia: a mixed-methods feasibility study (Preprint)
Authors: Ospina-Pinillos Laura , Shambo-Rodríguez Débora L. , Riaño-Fonseca María Isabel , Sánchez Nítola Mónica Natalí , Ramírez-Castro María Fernanda , Calvo-Valderrama María Gabriela , Camacho Salvador , Gómez-Restrepo Carlos , Navarro-Mancilla Alvaro A. , Hickie Ian B , Occhipinti Jo-An 
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

The growing prevalence of mental health disorders among young people is a pressing global concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to mental health care is limited. Digital tools, leveraging Information and Communication Technologies, hold promise for bridging these gaps by providing accessible, user-friendly resources for self-management and support.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the feasibility of two digital mental health tools—Youth Collective Minds (YMC), a web-based platform, and Mental Beat (MB), a smartphone app—targeted at young individuals aged 18–25 in Bogotá, Colombia.

METHODS

Participants (N=35) engaged with both platforms over a three-week period. This feasibility trial employed a mixed-methods design, incorporating thematic analysis with a deductive framework for qualitative data. Univariate analyses were performed to examine baseline patterns and data distributions, while bivariate analyses were conducted to investigate relationships and associations between variables, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the platforms’ feasibility in the acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality domains.

RESULTS

Participants were primarily female (63%) with a median age of 23 years. Both platforms were well-received, with 83% expressing willingness to reuse YMC and 71% for MB. Participants highlighted YMC’s psychoeducational resources and MB’s ease of use as strengths. However, technical issues, including server malfunctions and insufficient feedback, impacted engagement.

Sensor data from MB indicated significant associations between psychological distress and smartphone usage. Participants with higher psychological distress showed greater median battery charging (585 [IQR: 294]) compared to those without distress (188 [IQR: 267]; P=.041). Poor sleep quality was also associated with increased median battery discharge (2867 [IQR: 2238]) compared to participants who reported sufficient sleep (556 [IQR: 2768]; P=.003). GPS data showed that participants who visited more unique locations had lower psychological distress scores, with a negative correlation (r=-0.424, P=.05).

In terms of platform usage, in YMC, surveys on emotions (86%) and stress (80%) were the most frequently completed, while telecounseling services were underutilized, with only 8.6% of participants accessing mental health telecounseling. In MB, surveys of positive emotions (97.1%) and relationships (97.1%) were answered by more than 90% of participants. These findings highlight key engagement patterns and associations within the data.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of digital tools for mental health support in Colombian youth. Findings suggest these tools promote self-awareness and mental health management but require technical refinements to enhance engagement. The study’s limitations, including a small sample size and short duration, underscore the need for broader research. Implementing participant feedback, strengthening cybersecurity, and scaling these tools could address mental health challenges in LMICs, where such interventions are critically needed. These digital platforms represent promising steps toward bridging gaps in mental health care access.