Summary: Focus Group Discussions with young People in Jamaica

The Data for Children Collaborative with UNICEF are interested in investigating if ‘technology could be a possible source for good’ when applied to adolescent mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. A key part of this approach involved holding focus group discussions with young people in Jamaica to get a better understanding of how children and young people are using online apps and technologies, and whether they are a useful and plausible option to explore the provision of mental health services.

The objective of the focus group discussions was to evaluate the ways that adolescents and young people interact with technology. We hoped to gain a better understanding of the elements of technology and social media which draw adolescents and young people in, and to find out what keeps them engaged in using these technologies for mental wellbeing. We also wanted to find out the types of technologies they use to suit various needs.