Older adults' perceptions and needs regarding mental health WeChat applet: a qualitative study

Mental health issues among older adults represent a major burden of disease worldwide. In China, WeChat applets have emerged as a promising tool for delivering mental health support, offering a solution to the accessibility and personalization limitations of conventional psychotherapy. However, the perceptions and needs of older adults regarding mental health WeChat applets remain unclear.

To explore older adults' perceptions and needs for mental health WeChat applets.

We carried out a qualitative descriptive design. Sixteen participants were recruited from four communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, using purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Face to face semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with them from January 15 to 25, 2025. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Three main themes were identified in this study: (1) Attitudes and perceptions, (2) Functional needs, and (3) Preferences for design and usability. Nine sub-themes were also identified.

This study explored older adults' attitudes and needs regarding mental health WeChat applets. The findings highlighted the importance of user-centered design, transparent data protection, and digital literacy support. Additionally, policy efforts should integrate mental health awareness into public health strategies and engage multiple stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community workers, policymakers, technology developers, and family members, to enhance the acceptance and effectiveness of digital mental health tools for older adults.