Co-Designing a Text-Messaging Intervention for Youth Transitioning From Child to Adult Mental Health Services: Participatory Design Jam Study.
| Title: | Co-Designing a Text-Messaging Intervention for Youth Transitioning From Child to Adult Mental Health Services: Participatory Design Jam Study. |
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| Authors: | Vakili N; Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health, Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, P.O. Box 9700, Halifax, CA.; Cassidy C; School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, CA.; Chawla S; Dalhousie University, Halifax, CA.; Curran JA; School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, CA.; Strengthening Transitions in Care Lab, IWK Health, Halifax, CA.; Munro S; Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health, Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, P.O. Box 9700, Halifax, CA.; Phillips D; Mental Health and Addictions, IWK Health, Halifax, CA.; Pho S; Dalhousie University, Halifax, CA.; Walls R; Mental Health and Addictions, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, CA.; Wood A; Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health, Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, P.O. Box 9700, Halifax, CA.; Wozney L; Dalhousie University, Halifax, CA.; Mental Health and Addictions, IWK Health, Halifax, CA. |
| Source: | JMIR formative research [JMIR Form Res] 2026 Mar 23. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Mar 23. |
| Publication Model: | Ahead of Print |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: JMIR Publications Country of Publication: Canada NLM ID: 101726394 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2561-326X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 2561326X NLM ISO Abbreviation: JMIR Form Res Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Toronto, ON, Canada : JMIR Publications, [2017]- |
| Abstract: | Background: The transition from child to adult mental health services is a vulnerable period marked by service disengagement, care gaps, and worsening mental health outcomes. Although planned, developmentally appropriate transition processes can improve functioning, many youth report insufficient preparation, limited continuity of care, and unmet expectations for support. Existing transition supports remain under-evaluated, and require further adaptation for mental health contexts. Youth consistently report needing clearer information, concrete support, and sustained connection during this period. Digital tools, particularly text messaging, which is widely used, accessible, and acceptable to youth, offer a promising way to deliver timely transition supports. Yet most digital mental health tools are developed without meaningful youth involvement, highlighting the need for participatory approaches to ensure relevance, usability, and uptake.; Objective: This study aimed to co-design and refine prototypes for a transition-focused text-messaging intervention by engaging youth with lived experience in a participatory co-design activity (Design Jam), with the goal of identifying priority content, key functionality, and implementation enablers to support the transition from child to adult mental health services.; Methods: We conducted a 3-hour mixed-methods, participatory Design Jam to co-design transition-focused text-messaging prototypes recruiting youth aged 16-26 in Canada who had recently transitioned to, or were approaching transitioning to, adult mental health services. Data sources included workshop artifacts, observational field notes, and audio recordings from structured activities involving evidence review, brainstorming, rapid prototyping, brief team pitches, and evaluation. Rapid qualitative analysis, integrating open coding, content analysis of visual prototypes, and the Rapid Identification of Themes from Audio (RITA) method, was used to identify priority content, key functionality, and implementation enablers. Findings were refined through a member-checking debrief with youth participants.; Results: Seven youth aged 19-24 participated in the Design Jam. Across two teams, participants generated 54 content ideas and 50 feature ideas. Two distinct prototypes were developed: one emphasizing long-term affirmation, self-advocacy, self-care, and profile-based customization, and the other prioritizing shorter-term informational support, navigation resources, and flexible message frequency. Youth across both groups highlighted the importance of interactive and visually engaging elements. Analysis revealed three thematic tensions shaping youth design preferences: balancing autonomy with ongoing support (roaming/reconnecting), balancing personalization with the need for simplicity (customization/convention), and balancing knowledge delivery with motivation for action (learning/living). Participants rated the Design Jam positively.; Conclusions: Youth meaningfully contributed to co-designing a text-messaging intervention to support transition from child to adult mental health services, generating concrete content, functionality, and implementation priorities. Their prototypes highlighted the need to balance autonomy with support, personalization with simplicity, and information with motivational guidance. These findings demonstrate the value of participatory co-design in developing youth-centred digital transition supports and underscore the importance of evaluating such prototypes in real-world settings to determine feasibility and impact. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260430 Latest Revision: 20260430 |
| Update Code: | 20260430 |
| DOI: | 10.2196/91834 |
| PMID: | 42059873 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article