OBJECTIVES: In recent years, policymakers worldwide are increasingly concerned with promoting public mental well-being. Digitally supported well-being interventions seem effective in general non-clinical populations. Yet, evidence on their cost-effectiveness remains unclear. This study aims to systematically synthesize evidence on the cost-effectiveness of digitally supported mental well-being interventions targeting the general population or adults with subclinical mental health symptoms.

METHODS: To this end, Pubmed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for full economic or cost minimization studies. Eligibility criteria included interventions with at least one digital component in the general population or adults showing risk factors or subclinical mental health symptoms. Study quality was comprehensively assessed using the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria (CHEC) list.

RESULTS: Of 5611 records identified, 12 studies are included (10 studies employed web-based interventions, 1 used emails, 1 applied smartphone applications). 6 studies applied a societal perspective. Incremental cost-utility ratios (ICUR) were reported in 6 of the included studies and varied from dominant to €18710/QALY (median result is dominant). In general, digitally supported well-being interventions in non-clinical adults seemed to generate cost savings from a societal perspective. Mean quality score is 75.2% (standard deviation 23.3%). However, only two studies applied a long time horizon (≥5 years). Furthermore, only half of the studies appropriately applied sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, digitally supported mental well-being prevention and promotion in non-clinical adults have the potential to be cost-effective. Future studies should apply a societal perspective, employ a longer time horizon, and sufficiently conduct sensitivity analyses to improve cost-effectiveness evidence. Furthermore, assessment methods more sensitive to changes in well-being like the EQ-HWB could be considered.