The principles were deliberated during an online roundtable convened by WHO and the British Medical Journal on 4 October 2023, by a diverse panel of stakeholders, including experts and educators. A report on the outcomes of the meeting will be available in early 2024.
“Digital platforms have an impact on the mental health of youth,” said Dr Ashley McKimm, Director of Partnership Development at the BMJ. “With this round table we are aiming to help support the integration of content that promotes mental health and help-seeking behaviours for young people.”
“There are increasing rates of mental health conditions among young people, with the evidence suggesting digital platforms may play a role,” said Andy Pattison, Team Lead, Digital Channels, Department of Digital Health and Innovation, WHO. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has collaborated with a range of experts and educators to ensure digital content supports health. We are pleased to have this meeting about the mental health area. We encourage digital platforms to align their content strategies with the results of this expert meeting to prioritize the well-being of young people”.
Some initial suggested guiding principles from the meeting included ensuring content on mental health that is developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive and from a reputable source.
Participants during the October 2023 roundtable recognized the applicability of these principles across global contexts. However, they also pointed out potential challenges, such as cultural differences, language barriers, and varying perceptions influenced by societal norms.
