ArticleClinical practice and epidemiology in mental health : CP & EMH2024
Understanding University Students' Perspectives towards Digital Tools for Mental Health Support: A Cross-country Study.
Article in Clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health : CP & EMH, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Overcoming mental health challenges in higher education: a narrative review.Frontiers in psychology · 2024Pooled it
- "StudiCare Mindfulness": effects of an online mindfulness-based intervention on mindfulness, stress, and interoception in university students - a randomized controlled trial.BMC psychology · 2026Trial
- Gentle Mind-A Podcast on Self-Compassion and Character Strengths to Enhance Well-Being in University Students: A Controlled Feasibility Study.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Association between attitude toward seeking professional psychological help and mental health service need in college students: a cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Needs and Preferences of Swedish Young Adults for a Digital App Promoting Mental Health Literacy, Occupational Balance, and Peer Support: Qualitative Interview Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Social media use and associated mental health indicators among University students: a cross-sectional study.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Digital Technologies and Student Mental Health: Risks of Social Media and the Promise of Virtual Reality and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Interventions.Psychology research and behavior management · 2025Article
- We don't need more apps, we need connection: recommender systems as under-explored chance to promote students' mental health at universities.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Article
- Status of professional mental health help-seeking intention associated factors among medical students: a cross-sectional study in China.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Organisational and individual barriers often prevent university students from seeking mental health support. Digital technologies are recognised as effective in managing psychological distress and as a source of health-related information, thus representing useful options to address mental health needs in terms of accessibility and cost-effectiveness. However, university students' experiences and perspectives towards such interventions are little known. Objectives: We thus aimed to expand the existing base of scientific knowledge, focusing on this special population. Methods: Data were from the qualitative component of "the CAMPUS study", longitudinally assessing the mental health of students at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and the University of Surrey (UK). We conducted in-depth interviews and thematically analysed the transcripts using the framework approach. Results: An explanatory model was derived from five themes identified across 33 interviews (15 for Italy, 18 for the UK). Students perceived that social media, apps, and podcasts could deliver relevant mental health content, ranging from primary to tertiary prevention. Wide availability and anonymity were perceived as advantages that make tools suitable for preventive interventions, to reduce mental health stigma, and as an extension of standard treatment. These goals can be hindered by disadvantages, namely lower efficacy compared to face-to-face contact, lack of personalisation, and problematic engagement. Individual and cultural specificities might influence awareness and perspectives on the use of digital technologies for mental health support. Conclusion: Although considering some specific features, digital tools could be a useful instrument to support the mental health needs of students. Since personal contact remains crucial, digital tools should be integrated with face-to-face interventions through a multi-modal approach.
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