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Co-designing digital mental health interventions with young people

10 Recommendations From Lessons Learned in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries

Bibliographic Data

ID21323600
AuthorsPattie P Gonsalves (0000-0003-3780-4523, Youth Mental Health Group, Sangath, New Delhi, India, corresponding author), Salik Ansari (0000-0001-9753-5631, Youth Mental Health Group, Sangath, New Delhi, India), Clio Berry (0000-0003-1164-9836, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK), Faith Gonsalves (Harvard Medical School), Sonaksha Iyengar (Sonaksha, Bangalore, India), Priyambada Kashyap (0009-0008-5218-2455, Youth Mental Health Group, Sangath, New Delhi, India), Dhriti Mittal (Youth Mental Health Group, Sangath, New Delhi, India), Sweta Pal (0009-0001-6232-9974, Youth Mental Health Group, Sangath, New Delhi, India), Eshita Razdan (Youth Mental Health Group, Sangath, New Delhi, India), Daniel Michelson (0000-0001-7370-8788, King's College London)
Year2025
Volume84
Issue4
Pages373-384
Publication date2025-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Education Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0017-8969 • E-ISSN: 1748-8176
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00178969241297821
OpenAlexW4404484557
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited67

Background: Youth-focused co-design, involving active collaboration between researchers, designers, clinicians and end users, is essential for enhancing the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs). However, most literature on co-design comes from high-income countries and offers limited contextually relevant guidance to programme and intervention developers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aims: This paper presents 10 recommendations drawn from the co-authors’ experiences of co-designing youth-focused DMHIs as researchers, public engagement specialists and youth advisors. Methods: The recommendations emphasise key aspects of the co-design process including the use of conceptual frameworks, the involvement of diverse youth groups, contextual considerations, and the promotion of young people’s safety and well-being. Results: The recommendations highlight strategies and examples for involving young people, the importance of acknowledging young people’s contributions and evaluating experiences of co-design to improve the overall effectiveness and relevance of DMHIs in LMICs. Conclusion: By implementing these recommendations, DMHI developers can foster more effective and inclusive co-design processes that better meet the needs of young people in LMIC contexts

Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Low and middle income countries · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Child Development and Digital Technology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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Unique citing works3
Citations per year3
Citation span2025 - 2026 (2)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 3
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