The digital mental health space is moving fast and we know it can be hard to keep up. Here’s a snap shot of some of the latest research we’ve come across.
Effectiveness of digital mental health
Exploring the effectiveness of digital interventions and support tools across multiple disorders, audiences and settings.
Su JJ, Chan CK, Batalik L, Chung WC, Lei C, et al. (2026) Immersive virtual reality-based intervention for psychological wellbeing among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Digital Health 5(1): e0001110. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0001110
Rischer, K.M., Betz, L.T., Riepenhausen, A. et al. A randomized controlled trial of an interactive digital therapeutic for stress and burnout management. npj Mental Health Res 4, 69 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-025-00184-0
Zhai S, Goodman A, Smith AC, Diminic S, Zhou X. The Effectiveness, Facilitators, and Barriers of Digital Mental Health Services for First Nations People in Australia: Systematic Scoping Review. Interact J Med Res. 2026 Jan 27;15:e80386. doi: 10.2196/80386. PMID: 41592169; PMCID: PMC12841858.
Implementation of digital mental health
Studies advancing our understanding of how digital mental health interventions can be implemented in real-world settings, and key factors influencing engagement.
Remote Measurement-Based Care Interventions for Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Machleid F, Michnevich T, Huang L, Schröder-Frerkes L, Wiegmann C, Muffel T, Kaminski J. Remote Measurement-Based Care Interventions for Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Ment Health 2026;13:e63088. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e63088. DOI: 10.2196/63088
Tandon T, Biswas R, Meteier Q, Daher K, Khaled O, Meyer B, Berger T, Gupta R, Soelch C. Retention and Engagement in Culturally Adapted Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review of Dropout, Attrition, and Adherence in Non-Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic Settings. JMIR Ment Health 2026;13:e80624. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e80624. DOI: 10.2196/80624
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in digital mental health
Exploring the evolving role of AI in mental health care, especially with digital mental health resources.
ChatGPT Clinical Use in Mental Health Care: Scoping Review of Empirical Evidence
Balan R, Gumpel T. ChatGPT Clinical Use in Mental Health Care: Scoping Review of Empirical Evidence. JMIR Ment Health 2025;12:e81204. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e81204. DOI: 10.2196/81204
AI for Detecting and Predicting Postpartum Depression: Scoping Review
Alkhateeb M, Nayeem A, Ahmed A, Alsahli M, Sheikh J, Abd-Alrazaq A. AI for Detecting and Predicting Postpartum Depression: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2026;28:e77376. URL: https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e77376. DOI: 10.2196/77376
Weir I, Stroud A, Stout J, Barry B, Athreya A, Bobo W, Sharp R. Physician Perspectives on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Therapeutic Relationship in Mental Health Care: Qualitative Study. JMIR Ment Health 2025;12:e81970. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e81970. DOI: 10.2196/81970
Digital mental health landscape
Key developments shaping the global and Australian digital mental health landscape.
Rickard N, Kurt P, Meade T. Navigating the Digital Landscape for Potential Use of Mental Health Apps in Clinical Practice: Scoping Review. JMIR Ment Health 2026;13:e75640. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e75640. DOI: 10.2196/75640
Attoe C, Szekely R, Vega M O, Browne E, Thomas R, Kwan C W T, Altchouler P, De A, Harihara N, Clay G, Odoi S, Cross S, Doe A. The Mental Health Technology Assessment of Quality (MTAQ): Development of a novel quality assurance framework for digital mental health tools. Sage Digital Health 12, 1-21. DOI: 10.1177/20552076261428307
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