Understanding public perceptions of tele-mental health: insights from social media data in China before, during, and after COVID-19 | Synapse
April 1, 2026
Understanding public perceptions of tele-mental health: insights from social media data in China before, during, and after COVID-19
Key Points
This research aims to explore how public perceptions of tele-mental health (TMH) in China evolved during COVID-19.
Collected social media data from platforms popular in China.
Analyzed changes in public sentiment before, during, and after COVID-19.
Identified trends and themes in discussions regarding TMH.
Public interest in TMH increased significantly during the pandemic.
Post-COVID-19, concerns about privacy and effectiveness emerged among users.
Insights can guide future digital mental health initiatives globally.
Abstract
The findings offer critical demand-side insights for advancing TMH initiatives in China and provide evidence to inform the global development of digital mental health systems.