Examining young adults daily perspectives on usage of anxiety apps.

What is it about?

Several mobile applications have been developed to support mental health and expand treatment delivery methods to increase the reach of mental health care. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems affecting young adults and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most common psychotherapeutic treatment of anxiety disorders. Even though there are a plethora of mental health apps for anxiety available, evidence suggests that apps are not used for a long period of time. Here, we conducted a two-week study with young adults who have contacted a mental health service and are waiting for treatment to explore their daily perspectives on the usage of commercially-available mobile apps for anxiety that integrate CBT with a focus on understanding the reasons for, and barriers to, engagement during app use.

Featured Image

Photo by David Kennedy on Unsplash

Photo by David Kennedy on Unsplash

Why is it important?

In recent years, there has been an increased need for mental health services among students on college campuses. However, access to traditional face-to- face therapy in many countries is limited by cost and availability. The expanding need for mental health services among students on college campuses in the past few years has led to long waitlists for university counseling centers for students seeking treatment. Clinicians and adults awaiting support for their mental health recognize the need for alternative forms of intervention such as the use of apps which hold the potential to address barriers in mental health service delivery.