Digital Mental Health Interventions Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Displaced Children

Recent research has demonstrated that digital mental health interventions can significantly decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety among children displaced by war. This groundbreaking randomized controlled trial focused on Ukrainian refugees aged 10 to 18 who had fled to Poland. The study utilized a culturally adapted, Ukrainian-language version of an evidence-based digital program called Project SOLVE, which was delivered within school settings via mobile devices.

The intervention consists of a brief, 30-minute problem-solving module that equips young people with strategies to handle daily stressors such as academic pressures and interpersonal conflicts. The program’s accessibility and low cost enable it to be scaled easily across different refugee populations.

Participants completed assessments at the start, after one month, and at four months post-intervention. Results highlighted that those who engaged with the program experienced notable reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms at both follow-up points. Importantly, the improvements were even more pronounced among youths with higher initial levels of distress.

Professor JR Weisz of Harvard University emphasized the importance of such scalable solutions, stating that children affected by conflict are at high risk for prolonged psychological issues, and access to traditional mental health services is often limited. This study suggests that brief, digital interventions could serve as a vital tool for mental health support in refugee settings.

Senior author Professor Dennis Ougrin from Queen Mary University of London highlighted the simplicity and practicality of Project SOLVE, noting that it can be implemented in classrooms with minimal disruption and has been well received by participating students. The positive feedback underscores its potential as a universally accessible mental health aid for displaced youth.

This research was inspired by efforts from the GROW Network, a collaborative group of mental health professionals formed in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The findings pave the way for broader application of digital mental health tools to address the urgent needs of vulnerable, displaced young populations, supporting their path toward resilience and well-being.