Is e-health the answer to gaps in adolescent mental health service provision?

Depression and anxiety are prevalent among adolescents; however, many young people do not seek help from professional services. This is due, in part, to the inadequacies of existing healthcare systems. This article aims to review the current evidence for e-health interventions for depression and anxiety in youth, as a potential solution to the gaps in mental health service provision.

Five randomized controlled trials reporting on e-health interventions for youth depression or anxiety were identified. Of these, two trials focused exclusively on anxiety symptoms, and three trials examined both anxiety and depression. The majority of trials assessed online cognitive behavioral therapy and focused on prevention rather than treatment. In all but one trial, results demonstrated positive effects for the e-health interventions, relative to the control.

There is growing evidence for the effectiveness of online cognitive behaviour therapy interventions for reducing the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years, when delivered in school and clinical settings, with some level of supervision. However, there are a number of gaps in the literature. More research is needed to strengthen the evidence base for prevention and treatment programs that are delivered via the internet, particularly for depression.