Higher education student perceptions regarding the practice of telemental health services in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To study higher education student perceptions regarding the practice of telemental health services in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The study conducted a cross-sectional descriptive design through an online self-administered survey. The targeted number of responses was set to at least 385 convenience-sample students who were enrolled in different degree programs at the selected university for the Spring 2022 semester. Data collection was done during March 2022.

Results: The sample population was 401 eligible responses. Most respondents Most respondents were from Riyadh (39.15%), females (66.33%), single (64.83%) at the time of data collection. Forty-five percent of participants did not use any telemental health services in the past. Moreover, 34.41% of the participants reported that they preferred to use mixed methods of mental services that combined face-to-face and distanced interactions. Telemental services that can be provided based on students' perceptions were consultations (75.81%), followed by education and promotion (64.33%). Almost half of the participants reported that the internet and culture are among the factors that have shaped their perceptions of telemental health in Saudi Arabia, while the least important factor was their experience with providers.

Conclusion: The current study showed that the higher education students perceived telemental health positively and were willing to use telemental health in the future; in addition, the most essential technologies related to telemental health services were videoconferences, audio-visuals, and telephones.