The aim of this study was to describe how digital technologies can support young people in mental health services. An explorative mixed methods study was conducted in three phases. First, a systematic literature review was carried out between 2011 and 2013, followed by a meta-analysis of three studies to examine the effectiveness of a virtual reality intervention used in specialized psychiatric care. Second, the use of an electronic diary (e-diary) was explored among young people (n=89) who were clients of adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics between 2008 and 2010 due to depressive symptoms. Third, the use of web-based community services aimed at young people (n=2,193) in 2018 was explored. In the second and third stages, quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive analysis and qualitative data with inductive thematic analysis.

No quality evidence for or against virtual reality usage among people with serious mental health problems was found in the systematic review and meta- analysis. The young people’s long-term use of the e-diary was low, and nearly half of the participants did not use it at all. Those who did use the e-diary had previous experiences in mental health services and had more severe symptoms of depression than those who did not use it. Most of the young people who used digital technologies during treatment at the adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics and in the community were females. According to the study results, digital technologies were most often used in the evenings and during the school year. Young people openly discussed their mental health and their personal issues such as relationships, identity, social life, health and illnesses, and self-perception.

Digital technologies have the potential to help young people monitor their behavior, symptoms, and experiences and get support when they need it. When developing and implementing mental health support based on digital technologies, it is important to consider the different mental health and gender-specific needs of young people, as well as their readiness to use digital technologies to support their own mental health and well-being.