Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40009843›Full record

ArticleJMIR human factors2025

Provider Perspectives on the Use of Mental Health Apps, and the BritePath App in Particular, With Adolescents at Risk for Suicidal Behavior: Qualitative Study.

Frances Lynch, Julie Cavese, Lucy Fulton, Nancy Vuckovic, David Brent

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR human factors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Frances Lynch *Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-0547-6812
Julie Cavese *Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, United States.ORCID 0009-0009-8038-9346
Lucy Fulton *Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, United States.ORCID 0009-0002-4402-9123
Nancy Vuckovic *Vuckovic Consulting, Vuckovic Consulting, Portland, OR, United States.ORCID 0009-0003-8466-2908
David Brent *Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-5756-2157

Funding

The Center for Enhancing Triage and Utilization for Depression and Emergent Suicidality (ETUDES) in Pediatric Primary CareP50MH115838 · NIMH · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI Charles Richard Jonassaint · 2018 to 2026
$25.5M
1/2 Brief Intervention for Suicide Risk Reduction in High Risk AdolescentsR34MH100451 · NIMH · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI BRENT, DAVID A. · 2014 to 2016
$615k
NIMH NIH HHS P50 MH115838NIMH NIH HHS R34 MH100451
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMany youth with significant mental health concerns face limited access to mental health services. Digital programs, such as mobile apps designed to address mental health issues, have the potential to expand access to strategies for managing these conditions. However, few mental health apps are specifically designed for youth experiencing severe concerns, such as suicidal ideation. BritePath is a new app developed to enhance communication and interaction between providers and youth at risk for suicidal behavior.

objectiveThis study aims to explore health care providers' opinions and concerns regarding the use of mental health apps for youth at significant risk of suicidal behavior.

methodsWe conducted individual semistructured interviews with 17 providers across 7 states. Interviews were conducted via video, recorded, and transcribed. Codes were developed using a team-based approach, with discrepancies resolved through team discussions.

resultsMost providers were aware of mental health apps in general and expressed interest in trying the BritePath app with patients experiencing depression, suicidality, or both. Analyses identified 4 key themes related to mental health apps: (1) almost all providers viewed mental health apps as an adjunct to, rather than a replacement for, psychotherapy visits; (2) most providers were concerned about the cost of apps and youth access to them; (3) providers noted the challenge of maintaining patient engagement with apps over time; and (4) providers were concerned about patient privacy, in terms of both data shared with app developers and data privacy within families. Analyses of providers' opinions specifically about the BritePath app identified 4 additional themes: (1) providers believed that access to safety plans within BritePath could be beneficial for youth at risk for suicidal behavior; (2) providers reported that BritePath's interactive features could enhance communication between providers and youth; (3) providers appreciated BritePath's flexibility and the ability for both youth and providers to tailor its content to individual needs; and (4) providers expressed concerns about integrating BritePath into clinical workflows within health systems.

conclusionsThe use of mental health apps is expanding, yet there is limited understanding of how to effectively integrate these tools into mental health treatment. Providers are increasingly referring patients to mental health apps, and most expressed interest in trying the BritePath app for patients with depression, suicidality, or both. However, providers also identified several concerns, particularly regarding privacy and safety.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelHealth PersonnelMobile ApplicationsSuicidal IdeationSuicide PreventionAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMaleQualitative Researchadolescentappsdepressionmental healthsafety plansuicidalitysuicide

Identifiers

PMID40009843
PMCPMC11904364

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.