Digital Interventions for People Waitlisted for Mental Health Services: A Needs Assessment and Preference Survey

This study aimed to characterize the needs and preferences for digital health of individuals waitlisted for services. 135 people who sought mental health services in the past year and who were not receiving the service they sought completed questionnaires assessing their experiences during this period as well as their preferences related to digital interventions. Participants had sought services on average nearly eight months prior to completing the survey (M = 7.74 months, SD = 8.51). most commonly for anxiety (N = 118, 87.4%) and depression (N = 101, 74.8%). Relative to the date they first sought services, participants reported reduced interest (d = -0.45) and motivation to engage (d = -0.43) in treatment, as well as reduced conviction in the belief that they would get better (d = -0.23) or that treatment would help (d = -0.30), although they also reported reduced symptom distress (d = -0.39). Very few (8%) reported satisfaction with the materials they were given by providers when seeking services. Participants reported high interest in a digital tool providing information about therapies (94.7% reporting moderate or greater interest), mental illnesses (87.4%), and places to find treatment (91.1%), as well as one that would provide interactive cognitive practices (85.2%) and strategies to improve sleep (85.8%). Over half of all participants reported that a mobile app would be their first choice for mode of delivery. This study highlights the need for and potential of digital tools optimized for waitlisted individuals, particularly interactive and informational resources provided through mobile devices.