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Help Is Just a Message Away: Online Counselling Chat Services Bridging Gaps in Youth Mental Health?

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Publicado en:European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education vol. 15, no. 12 (2025), p. 257-278
Autor principal: Dewaele Alexis
Otros Autores: Denayer Elke, Cabello, Maria, Higuera-Lozano Irati, Pitkänen Tuuli, Felvinczi Katalin, Kaló Zsuzsa, Soininvaara Siiri, Goossens Lien
Publicado:
MDPI AG
Materias:
Europe
Usability
Collaboration
Verbal communication
Mental disorders
Counseling
Young adults
Data integrity
Mental health
Teenagers
Focus Groups
Data Use
Child Health
Adolescents
Stakeholders
Informed Consent
Language Minorities
Best Practices
Program Evaluation
Professional Services
Developmental Tasks
Synchronous Communication
School Policy
Sustainability
Evidence Based Practice
User Needs (Information)
Cost Effectiveness
Referral
Barriers
Underachievement
Resource Allocation
Youth
Acceso en línea:Citation/Abstract
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Resumen:Adolescents and young adults across Europe face growing mental health challenges, yet many do not seek professional help. Online counselling chat services (OCCS) offer anonymous, accessible, and youth-friendly support, but their varied aims, formats, and resources complicate evaluation and integration into formal care systems. This study aimed to identify shared priorities for the development, evaluation, and implementation of OCCS for youth. Eight focus groups were conducted with 38 stakeholders—including researchers, counsellors, and service coordinators—from eight European countries. Through qualitative content analysis, six key thematic domains emerged: usability and engagement, service quality and effectiveness, infrastructure and integration, sustainability, ethical considerations, and future visions. Participants highlighted OCCS as valuable tools for fostering emotional safety, trust, and accessibility, while also noting persistent challenges such as limited funding, fragile infrastructure, and ethical tensions around anonymity and safeguarding. Crucially, the need for flexible evaluation frameworks that reflect service diversity and for stronger cross-model collaboration was emphasized. These findings provide a strategic foundation for advancing inclusive, sustainable, and youth-centered digital mental health support across Europe.
ISSN:2174-8144
2254-9625
DOI:10.3390/ejihpe15120257
Fuente:Psychology Collection