University of Galway and Ulster University launch All-Island policy brief on strengthening digital mental health supports for young people

Cross-border research has examined how digital mental health supports can better meet the needs of young people across the island of Ireland amid rising mental health challenges and limited access to services.

The research was developed by the University of Galway and Ulster University through the shared island-funded Atlantic Futures programme, supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Produced as a policy brief, it presents evidence from an Atlantic Futures-hosted all-island policy dialogue event involving policymakers, practitioners, researchers, youth sector representatives and young people.

Findings highlight that trust, simplicity and cultural relevance are critical to engagement. Young people, especially marginalised youth, are more likely to use digital mental health tools that are recommended by trusted organisations, peers or adults; are easy to navigate; and reflect their identities, communities and lived experiences.

The researchers also found that young people use digital tools mainly for light‑touch emotional regulation, not therapy, and want grounding, distraction, positivity, and short check-in's - not long programmes or clinical content.

Additionally, while young people are confident navigating digital spaces, gaps in digital mental health literacy persist largely because the wider digital landscape is fragmented and lacks clear governance, making it difficult to assess the credibility, privacy practices and safety of online platforms, with families further constrained by language, literacy and digital exclusion.A key recommendation is sustained youth participation, highlighting young people stay engaged when treated as equal partners and when they see impact. The briefing calls for long-term, inclusive co-design embedded in policy and service design and development.

Project lead, Dr Carmen Kealy, Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway, said: “Young people are navigating increasing pressures, and digital supports can genuinely help - but only when they are trustworthy, culturally relevant, and easy to use. Our research shows that young people value clarity, representation, and tools that fit naturally into their daily lives. A coordinated, youth‑centred approach across the island is essential to building a digital mental health ecosystem that feels credible, accessible, and supportive for all young people.

Principal Investigator, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, School of Psychology, Ulster University, said: “The briefing forms part of the Atlantic Futures programme, a collaborative all-island initiative supported through the HEA North-South Research Programme under the Shared Island initiative, which seeks to address shared societal challenges through research, innovation and partnership.”The findings conclude that digital mental health supports have significant potential to extend access to care and reduce barriers for young people across the island of Ireland. However, the researchers caution this potential will only be realised when digital solutions are built around trust, cultural relevance, simplicity and meaningful participation.

The policy brief calls on policymakers, service providers, educators, youth organisations and technology developers to work collaboratively to create a more coherent and accessible digital mental health ecosystem.The full policy brief can be read here.

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