Australian Digital Mental Health Services for Anxiety and Depression: Meta-Analysis and Comparison Study.
Bridget Bassilios, Katrina J Scurrah, Amy J Morgan et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and uptake of three Australian digital mental health services (DMHSs) for anxiety and depression. Over 282,000 consumers accessed these services from 2013 to 2021. Clinician-supported treatments showed significant improvements in mental health, with effect sizes of Cohen d = 0.95 for Mental Health Online, 1.42 for MindSpot, and 1.04 for THIS WAY UP.
Key findings
- Clinician-supported treatments resulted in significant mental health improvements, with effect sizes ranging from 0.95 to 1.42.
- Self-directed treatment by Mental Health Online led to a moderate reduction in anxiety severity (Cohen d = 0.59).
- The DMHSs contributed to improved access to mental health care for over 282,000 consumers.
- Improvements from clinician-supported treatments were comparable to traditional face-to-face mental health care.
Why it matters
Digital mental health services can enhance access to care for individuals with anxiety and depression, offering effective alternatives to traditional treatment methods. Understanding their effectiveness is crucial for integrating these services into broader mental health care strategies.