Fegert Jörg M, Gottschalk Götz, Schneider Renee, Sitarski Emily, Sounderajah Viknesh, Graham Garth
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany.
President of ESCAP (The European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), Kroonlaan 20, Brussel, 1050, Belgium.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2025 Jun 14;19(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s13034-025-00932-2.
Life transitions, such as adolescence, starting higher education or employment, and parenthood, are universally experienced yet psychologically demanding phases that can compromise mental health. While some transitions may promote positive growth, many transitions can also engender significant stress, which can potentially culminate in mental health difficulties and, in some unfortunate instances, psychopathology, especially when individuals lack adequate support. Traditional healthcare systems, already strained by increasing demands and limited resources, frequently offer inflexible, diagnostic-driven pathways with limited accessibility. Therefore, individuals, especially adolescents and emerging adults, have turned increasingly to non-traditional sources for mental health information and support. The internet, in particular, has become an indispensable resource for individuals seeking support around difficult life transitions, including the transition to adulthood. Multimedia content, especially videos, offers unique advantages: cultural sensitivity, peer-shared experiences, the ability to overcome language and literacy barriers and many more which are tailored to individual needs. Innovative content strategies, such as storytelling or expert interviews, can play a pivotal role in reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health help during life transitions, which may, in turn, increase the likelihood for at-risk individuals to seek formal support if required, and can supplement traditional care with low-threshold information. However, the digital landscape is not without its inherent challenges, including misinformation. While there are frameworks to evaluate and promote credible, evidence-based health content online, there needs to be greater effort to ensure its frictionless integration into formal clinical pathways, when appropriate. To address the complex challenges and fully realize the benefits of digital media mental health care during life transitions, a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach is essential: this includes collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, technology companies and content creators. We should prioritise developing culturally inclusive, engaging, evidence-based content; promoting digital literacy among users and providers; and expanding access to information, support, and self-management tools specifically designed for individuals navigating life's transitions. Investment in research and further advocacy for policies is necessary to ensure quality and sustainability of content as well as equitable access for a more resilient and mentally healthy society.
生活转变，如青春期、开始接受高等教育或就业以及为人父母，是普遍经历的但在心理上具有挑战性的阶段，可能会损害心理健康。虽然有些转变可能促进积极成长，但许多转变也会产生巨大压力，这可能最终导致心理健康问题，在某些不幸的情况下，还会引发精神病理学问题，尤其是当个人缺乏足够支持时。传统医疗系统已经因需求增加和资源有限而不堪重负，经常提供缺乏灵活性、以诊断为导向且可及性有限的途径。因此，个人，尤其是青少年和刚成年的人，越来越多地转向非传统来源获取心理健康信息和支持。互联网尤其已成为寻求围绕艰难生活转变（包括向成年过渡）获得支持的个人不可或缺的资源。多媒体内容，尤其是视频，具有独特优势：文化敏感性、同龄人分享的经历、克服语言和读写障碍的能力等等，这些都是根据个人需求量身定制的。创新的内容策略，如讲故事或专家访谈，在减少与在生活转变期间寻求心理健康帮助相关的污名化方面可以发挥关键作用，这反过来可能会增加有风险的个人在需要时寻求正式支持的可能性，并且可以用低门槛信息补充传统护理。然而，数字领域并非没有其固有的挑战，包括错误信息。虽然有评估和推广可信的、基于证据的在线健康内容的框架，但需要做出更大努力以确保其在适当的时候无缝融入正式临床途径。为应对复杂挑战并充分实现生活转变期间数字媒体心理健康护理的益处，采取协调一致的多利益相关方方法至关重要：这包括医疗保健提供者、政策制定者、研究人员、科技公司和内容创作者之间的合作。我们应优先开发具有文化包容性、引人入胜且基于证据的内容；提高用户和提供者的数字素养；并扩大获取专门为经历生活转变的个人设计的信息、支持和自我管理工具的机会。对研究进行投资并进一步倡导政策对于确保内容的质量和可持续性以及更具复原力和心理健康的社会的公平获取至关重要。
