About this Research Topic
Over recent years, the increasing pervasiveness of digital technologies has transformed various facets of life, including mental health, particularly among vulnerable populations. As digital platforms and tools become integral to everyday activities, they present both opportunities and challenges for mental health care and support. This special issue seeks to explore the intersection of mental health and digital technologies, focusing on the impacts, challenges, and potential solutions within vulnerable groups.
The rise of digital technologies has led to significant changes in how mental health services are accessed and delivered. Digital health interventions, such as online counseling, mental health apps, and virtual support groups, offer new avenues for reaching individuals who might otherwise be underserved. However, these advancements also come with challenges, including issues of digital literacy, privacy concerns, and the risk of exacerbating existing inequalities.
Moreover, vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals, ethnic minorities, those with pre-existing mental health conditions, as well as children and older individuals, are often disproportionately affected by both the opportunities and risks presented by digital technologies. These groups may face barriers in accessing digital resources and may be more susceptible to negative online experiences, such as cyberbullying or misinformation.
This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of how digital technologies impact mental health among vulnerable populations. We invite papers addressing the following themes, including but not limited to:
- The Impact of Digital Technologies on Mental Health: Investigations into how digital platforms influence mental health outcomes, both positively and negatively, among vulnerable groups.
- Digital Health Interventions: Evaluations of the effectiveness, accessibility, and equity of digital mental health interventions tailored to at-risk populations.
-Barriers and Challenges: Studies exploring the barriers to digital mental health access, including issues related to digital literacy, privacy, and socio-economic disparities.
- Case Studies: Detailed analyses of specific programs or initiatives that have utilized digital technologies to support mental health in vulnerable populations, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Comparative Studies: Comparisons of digital mental health practices and their impacts across different countries or regions, focusing on variations in effectiveness and accessibility.
- Policy and Ethical Considerations: Examination of the policy implications and ethical considerations surrounding the use of digital technologies in mental health care, especially in vulnerable populations.
The rise of digital technologies has led to significant changes in how mental health services are accessed and delivered. Digital health interventions, such as online counseling, mental health apps, and virtual support groups, offer new avenues for reaching individuals who might otherwise be underserved. However, these advancements also come with challenges, including issues of digital literacy, privacy concerns, and the risk of exacerbating existing inequalities.
Moreover, vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals, ethnic minorities, those with pre-existing mental health conditions, as well as children and older individuals, are often disproportionately affected by both the opportunities and risks presented by digital technologies. These groups may face barriers in accessing digital resources and may be more susceptible to negative online experiences, such as cyberbullying or misinformation.
This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of how digital technologies impact mental health among vulnerable populations. We invite papers addressing the following themes, including but not limited to:
- The Impact of Digital Technologies on Mental Health: Investigations into how digital platforms influence mental health outcomes, both positively and negatively, among vulnerable groups.
- Digital Health Interventions: Evaluations of the effectiveness, accessibility, and equity of digital mental health interventions tailored to at-risk populations.
-Barriers and Challenges: Studies exploring the barriers to digital mental health access, including issues related to digital literacy, privacy, and socio-economic disparities.
- Case Studies: Detailed analyses of specific programs or initiatives that have utilized digital technologies to support mental health in vulnerable populations, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Comparative Studies: Comparisons of digital mental health practices and their impacts across different countries or regions, focusing on variations in effectiveness and accessibility.
- Policy and Ethical Considerations: Examination of the policy implications and ethical considerations surrounding the use of digital technologies in mental health care, especially in vulnerable populations.
Keywords: Digital Age, Vulnerable Populations, Public Mental Health, Cyberbullying, Digital Addiction, Digital Technologies, Digital Health Interventions
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
