A call for digital inclusion initiatives in mental health services: An integrative review.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The rise in the provision of digital healthcare during the pandemic has called attention to digital exclusion: inequality in access and/or capacity to use digital technologies. Digital exclusion is more profound in people with mental health problems, leaving an implementation gap of digital practice in mental health services. Identify the available evidence of (a) addressing digital exclusion in mental health care and (b) the practical solutions to enhance uptake of digital mental health. Digital inclusion initiatives were searched from both academic and grey literature available and published between the years 2007 and 2021. A limited number of academic studies and initiatives were found that supported people with mental health difficulties who had limited skills and/or access to overcome digital exclusion. Further work is needed to combat digital exclusion and establish ways to reduce the implementation gap in mental health services. Access to devices, Internet connectivity and digital mentoring for mental health service users is essential. More studies and programmes are needed to disseminate impact and results for digital inclusion initiatives for people with mental health problems and to inform best practice for digital inclusion within mental health services.