Povey J, Raphiphatthana B, Torok M, et al. An emerging framework for digital mental health design with Indigenous young people: a scoping review of the involvement of Indigenous young people in the design and evaluation of digital mental health interventions. Syst Rev 2023;12(1):108. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02262-w
This scoping review provides an overview of the current literature on digital mental health interventions tailored for Indigenous young people. All analyzed research was conducted in the United States (n = 8), New Zealand (n = 6), Australia (n = 7), or Canada (n = 3). Primarily, studies were formative, design, and feasibility designs that used qualitative methods (58%). Pilot or efficacy studies using quantitative methods were less common (41%). To assess best practice processes all studies were scored using The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander QAT. These scores were used to develop an emerging framework for developing digital mental health resources with Indigenous young people. The first of the four principles of the framework is Indigenous governance. Including Indigenous leadership in all aspects of study design and developing interventions based on needs specifically identified by the community promoted engagement, better-tailored study processes, and improved overall project success. Engaging Indigenous youth through the iterative process of design, development, and review of informed adaptations to protocols increased recruitment, data quality, and acceptability. Studies using capacity-strengthening activities displayed higher engagement and more successful partnerships between researchers and Indigenous youth. It is important to note that agreements to protect existing or created Ingenious knowledges were rarely reported and are recommended for future research. While all studies reported initial benefits to the Indigenous communities, long-term sustainable changes were rarely reported. Future research developing digital mental health interventions tailored for Indigenous young people should include governance, tailor engagement strategies, foster partnerships, and plan for sustainable knowledge translation.