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children and youth through their psychology-informed initiatives. Drawing on 51 studies involving over 30,000 young people worldwide, our review offers key insights into which types of digital interventions are working and where critical gaps remain in the digital mental health landscape. Key takeaways Small but meaningful benefits : Many digital tools led to significant improvements in emotional and behavioural outcomes, particularly reducing symptoms like anxiety, stress, and externalizing behaviours. Hybrid models show promise : Programs that combine digital components (such as apps or web platforms) with in-person support, often through schools or community
organizations, produced the most consistent and long-term effects. Fully virtual tools help, but long- term impact is unclear : While immediate benefits were observed, particularly post-intervention, their long-term impact was less clear in the absence of structured support. Gaps that demand attention One of the most urgent findings was who is being left out. 8% of studies focused on children under five, despite this being a critical period for brain development and young parents being an ideal group for virtual interventions. 63% of studies did not report any demographic data related to race, income, or cultural background.
A key component of our collaborative approach is the DIVERT National Patient & Family Listening Tour, a research initiative launched to bring community wisdom regarding inclusivity and technology integration in mental health services across Canada. Using a community-based participatory action research model, this project has been co- developing listening groups in partnership with communities from coast to coast to coast. Together, we engage youth, families, and frontline mental health providers in honest conversations about the challenges they face in accessing care that reflects their lived experience and how technology might help improve it.
What works In partnership with Strong
Very few interventions were tested in racialized, Indigenous, or low-income
Minds, Strong Kids, Psychology Canada (SMSK), DIVERT Mental Health recently completed a comprehensive scoping review and meta-analysis of universal digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for children and youth. SMSK is a charity with a mission to empower every child in Canada with the resilience skills they need to thrive – laying the foundation for lifelong mental wellbeing and helping to prevent mental health challenges before they begin. They develop and deliver evidence-based programs to promote the mental health and resilience of children and youth. Their work also supports parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals in supporting their kids through practical tools and training grounded in psychological
science. On an annual basis, SMSK reaches over 300,000
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