Digital interventions focusing on the unique mental health needs of specific vulnerable groups, such as children

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and abstract and recommendations of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 3 journals. Those papers have been cited 23 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Debate: Young people are living in unprecedented times—too much chaos or too little resilience? Beyond the ‘chaos’ storyline—Modernising resilience frameworks and mental health care for children and young people in a neurodiversity inclusive digital world (2026) · Child and Adolescent Mental Health · doi

  The gap between the needs of children and young people and the available care, resulting from the failure of support systems to keep pace with digital advances. The lack of consideration for how digital and AI-enabled mental health tools can mitigate service gaps when demand exceeds workforce capacity. The need for a modern resilience agenda that prioritizes safety-by-design online and neurodiversity-affirming educational environments.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: gap between needs children young people available care
• Preventing common mental health problems in war-affected populations: the role of digital interventions (2025) · Frontiers in Digital Health · cited 7× · doi

  The recent promising developments in digital mental health and psychosocial support indicate that timely digital interventions have the potential to play a crucial role in preventing the development of chronic mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression following trauma on a large scale, yet the preventive effects of unguided online interventions are still inconclusive and more research is needed (44).

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: digital mental health interventions recent promising developments psychosocial support indicate timely potential play crucial role
• Preventing common mental health problems in war-affected populations: the role of digital interventions (2025) · Frontiers in Digital Health · cited 7× · doi

  There is a lack of digital interventions focusing on the unique mental health needs of specific vulnerable groups, such as children. There is a need for culturally, linguistically, and contextually tailored digital interventions to enhance adherence and efficacy. There is a gap in the provision of mental health care services, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there lack digital interventions focusing unique mental health
• Empowering minds: how self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social support drive digital mental health engagement (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · cited 9× · doi

  To enhance digital health interventions, it is essential to expand the use of eHealth tools, social media platforms, and mobile applications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the older adult and those living with chronic illnesses (24, 27). Health systems must prioritize scalability and ensure that these technologies remain accessible, especially for individuals with low digital literacy (1). Equally important is the strengthening of social support systems, which serve as vital buffers against stress and contribute to higher self-esteem (8, 22). Policymakers should work towards creating more connected and supportive environments, especially for individuals recovering from trauma and for aging populations (17, 28). Promoting self-efficacy should also be a key objective of public health programs. This can be achieved by incorporating strategies that teach problem-solving and resilience-building skills, with particular attention given to marginalized communities (5, 14, 16, 21). Moreover, it is crucial to address the diverse digital mental health needs of different demographic groups. Interventions must be  tailored to reflect the unique experiences and requirements of adolescents, individuals with autism, and culturally diverse women (2, 12). Finally, the development of comprehensive digital mental health models should be guided by a holistic perspective. Healthcare policies must integrate psychological constructs such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, and perceived social support, alongside broader societal factors, to effectively support mental well-being (4, 7, 18, 19).

  generalrecommendationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: health digital self social must individuals support mental interventions populations systems especially esteem efficacy diverse

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