Getting Help Online: How Young People Find, Evaluate, and Use Mental Health Apps, Online Therapy, and Behavioral Health Information

Many young people are struggling to find in-person care, support, and practical information for their challenges with behavioral health (i.e., mental health, substance use, and wellness). But ever since the COVID-19 pandemic forced much of our health care online, options for supporting mental health via digital technologies have been growing in availability and accessibility.

This report, the fourth in a series, looks at how teens and young people (age 14–22) are embracing online mental health tools—from social media to therapy and mental health apps—as resources for seeking support and managing their own mental health and well-being.

Young people regularly look up mental health information online, take advantage of online therapy options, and use mental health support apps and platforms. Social media is also an important place for young people to both seek out and come across mental health information, serving as a jumping-off point for them to do further research or explore their behavioral health issues. Overall, young people are often careful to use trusted sources to vet or further investigate the information they find on social media.

Online resources for behavioral health are even more important for Black and Latino youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth with depressive symptoms.

But the quality of support provided by these apps and online mental health services isn't always up to par, and considering how promising these services are when it comes to reducing barriers to mental health support, there's more work to be done.

Given the importance of online resources in connecting young people to the support they need, it's time to ensure that these resources are the safest they can be—and leaders across the country must prioritize the high-speed internet and connectivity that enable access to online mental health services.

More resources: 

• Read the press release.

• Read the article outlining why this research matters.

• See our Editor's Choice picks for YouTube Content That Supports Tweens' and Teens' Mental Health and Wellness, Apps to Support Mental Health and Mental Health and Wellness Podcasts for Tweens and Teens

• Read the article about how funding the Affordable Connectivity Program will give more young people access to online therapy and behavioral health services.

• Check out our previous report on social media and mental health.

• See resources for young people from our partners at Hopelab.