Digital Mental Health Interventions for African Youth: Systematic Review Protocol Highlights Urgent Need, Equity, and Scalable Solutions

Illustrative Image: Digital Mental Health Interventions for African Youth: Systematic Review Protocol Highlights Urgent Need, Equity, and Scalable Solutions
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Ownership and Usage Policy

A recent study by Mokaya et al. (2025) titled “Digital mental health interventions for adolescents and young people (10–24 years) in Africa: A protocol for a systematic review of mental health outcomes, engagement, and equity considerations” published in Wellcome Open Research, reveals that mental health problems are rising among African youth, but access to care is limited.

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Digital mental health interventions for African youth are promising but require rigorous evaluation, equity, and youth-centered design.– Mokaya et al. 2025

This study is a systematic review protocol examining digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 10–24 years in Africa. Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and stress are highly prevalent among African youth, yet access to care remains limited due to severe shortages of mental health professionals, persistent stigma, and weak integration of services into primary healthcare. Against this backdrop, digital solutions—ranging from mobile apps and SMS-based support to online counseling—offer a potentially scalable and accessible way to address these gaps. The review aims to identify and describe DMHIs developed or used in African contexts, assess their impact on outcomes such as symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being, and evaluate feasibility factors including user engagement, acceptability, and affordability. It also seeks to explore equity considerations, such as gender inclusivity and disparities in digital access.

Africa presents a particularly urgent case: the continent has one of the lowest psychiatrist-to-population ratios in the world (0.05 per 100,000), faces deep-rooted stigma around mental illness, and experiences uneven technological access despite rapid digital growth. DMHIs could therefore play a critical role in bridging care gaps, but their effectiveness and inclusivity must be rigorously assessed. Ultimately, this review will deliver a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence, offering insights into what works, for whom, and under what conditions. Its findings will provide essential guidance for policymakers, developers, and health professionals in shaping effective, equitable, and youth-centered digital mental health strategies across Africa.

What the Authors Found

The authors found that mental health problems are rising among African youth, but access to care is limited. Digital tools (like apps, SMS programs, and online platforms) appear promising, yet evidence on their effectiveness, inclusivity, and feasibility in African contexts is still unclear. This review aims to systematically gather and evaluate that evidence.

Why is this important

Urgent Need: Africa faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals, leaving adolescents and young people—who are highly vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and stress—without adequate support.

Digital Opportunity: With rapid growth in mobile and internet use, digital platforms (apps, SMS, online tools) offer a scalable, accessible, and youth-friendly way to deliver mental health care.

Policy and Practice Impact: This review will identify which digital interventions are effective, highlight gaps in current approaches, and guide governments, NGOs, and developers in making evidence-based investments.

Equity and Inclusion: The study emphasizes designing interventions that are affordable, culturally relevant, and inclusive of marginalized groups such as girls, rural youth, and those with limited digital access.

What the Authors Recommended

• Governments, NGOs, and health systems should invest in digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) as cost-effective, scalable, and accessible options for low-resource settings.
• Design DMHIs to be gender-inclusive, affordable, and accessible for youth with limited connectivity or digital literacy, using low-bandwidth tools like SMS and voice-based platforms.
• Embed mental health support within primary care systems, using digital tools as complementary aids rather than standalone solutions.
• Conduct more rigorous studies with standardized outcome measures and long-term follow-up to better understand effectiveness, feasibility, and user engagement.
• Involve adolescents and young people in designing, testing, and implementing digital tools to ensure relevance, usability, and stronger engagement.
• In addition, governments should invest in African-led research, training, and infrastructure to support sustainable innovation in digital mental health.

In conclusion, digital mental health interventions offer a promising pathway to address the growing mental health challenges faced by adolescents and young people across Africa. By leveraging mobile apps, SMS programs, and online platforms, these tools can provide scalable, accessible, and youth-friendly support in contexts where traditional mental health services are limited. However, their success depends on ensuring cultural relevance, equity, affordability, and active engagement with young users. This systematic review underscores the urgent need for rigorous evidence, inclusive design, and policy investment to harness digital solutions effectively, ultimately guiding governments, NGOs, and health professionals in building sustainable, youth-centered mental health strategies across the continent.