Table 7.

Valued characteristics of e-mental health resources.

Themes & Subthemes	Illustrative Quotes
ENGAGE: FEATURES THAT GET THEM INTERESTED
Humor & fun	“Play music, make it fun at the start” “[Include some] funny videos, you find them everywhere, like funny cat videos” “I feel like the apps… like graphics and stuff, [are] not really catching our attention properly... If I were to use the app, I… want something that would keep me interested, like want to keep using it… Bright colours, graphics… like a game…”
Music & sounds	“… I like the music behind them, it wasn’t just them talking, it makes it more interesting, keeps you interested” “[Add some] cute little sound[s] like ‘ding’… [to] keep encouraging you do to things in the app” “Bubbles… [they] would have to be with the pop sound… like "pop" "pop"… [add some] catchy background music…”
Vibrant colours	“…it had the feeling that you picked before, and the colour of it and you could change it so you could see how the colour impacted it... I made it a pink colour and it didn’t look as bad as before in like a blue....” “There is a lot of red and orange, change that to bright colours… colour is a big one”
Relatable images, voices, language and stories	“[I relate to the] backgrounds, videos, what they were talking about, like going to country and stuff, [the] language used” “… some people might feel uncomfortable if it is a guy… you know for Lore, you feel better if it’s a girl talking to you” “Some kids might not be from here... I feel weird looking at that [desert imagery] because I am from an Island” “Some of the stories are weird, like when he missed a goal and then… all this started about him running over a baby… they are good stories but they are a little unrealistic”
Stories about positive change, which offer support, helpful tips and information	“… [include] situations that can happen in your life, different stories, which you can relate to, and in the end they got help and you might think… oh I will go and get help too” “[Include] like a fake story, but make it believeable.… [the app could give the user] a supporting message, yeah “I have been through this too, we will get through this together”. So that way they don’t feel alone”
Characters, including teenagers, other family and role models	“You could have… like mob [Aboriginal people] who have gone through all this stuff, so get someone that is around their age to talk, so they know I am not the only one going through this…” “[Young people will] stand up and listen [if spoken by an Elder]” “[Include role models but] not famous people… like normal role models; footy people and stuff and people who can help”
Metaphors	“It was about your thoughts and how your thoughts are like the seasons... the wet season is the hard times and the dry is the good times... and it cycles. At first, I didn’t understand it but then I did. I was just being stupid. It was like a random analogy but then it made sense, when they explained it…” “The leaves grow... when you have good things... the tree is you... and the leaves die and that means bad”
SUSTAIN: FACTORS THAT KEEP THEM INTERESTED
Options for customisation & personalisation	“Those options are cool [changing colour schemes]… when you can personalise it” “I like how it is your profile, you make it for yourself, so the person using the app knows it belongs to them… they feel like they own it”
Information followed by interactive activities	“… if it [app] shows you how to prevent all that from happening, like information” “[I like that the] video introduces the topic and activity gives you something to do” “… if they just have to read and take pictures, they will get bored… but if they are touching it… if they are more hands on they will feel more a part of it”
Exploration component	“[I like] it [site map of ibobbly app] shows you all the different things you can do in the app and how it can help...” “[I like that] you could choose if it was a good way to go or a bad way to go.... and if you choose the bad one... it gives you advice on why you shouldn’t and which way is a better way to go”
Challenges, rewards and records of progress over time	“…once you have achieved a few [goals] and you can look back at them; it’s a good thing for your confidence…” “Each time you complete your goal it comes up with a little medal, or medallion.... you could have a trophy case, where you could display all the things you have achieved, the goals you have completed…” “If we had a game… you have to be able to level up and get bonus points, then it makes it harder…there has to be a goal”
Options for sharing	“Wouldn't it be cool if you could share or see… what other people put in that part… post their positive things, you wouldn't be able to see the rest of it… they can get things… to make them[selves] happier, from what other people have done”
Reminders	“Maybe once a week [send a notification], but only once, don’t send like 100 notifications, or people will turn them off”
SUPPORT: FACTORS THAT FACILITATE ACCESS, HELPSEEKING & SAFETY
Designs that overcome access challenges	“It would be pretty cool if it was on your own phone… if you were stressed or depressed you would use it more” “Do[ing] it on your own phone feels more personal” “[Most people own a phone]… but might not have internet [data credit]… maybe that should be part of the app, sometimes you need the internet to access things but sometimes you don't…” “It was weird, we had two videos playing at the same time, it was so confusing” “Frustrating for some people when it is lagging because they might not have fast phones and stuff”
Effective communication	“…have people talking, like speaker... it’s better that way, some people can’t even read…” “… her idea is pretty good… click on the next one [symbol of symptoms]… and then you could put it [symbol] up there, like maybe make it shrink a bit, then you can drag it onto the person – [i.e include intuitive symbols]” “I don’t know what it is called [app] we just look at the picture [icon], and we just click it”
Ease of use	“…it was too much, there was a lot of options, too much to go through, the videos are the main stuff”
Options for users to seek further help	“You are not going to get an answer for everything [from the app], you might need to get more personalised help… that is where you need to have the help contacts” “…[I like that the app had] all the family members, and doctors and stuff, the people that are closest to you, and the people on the outside you can talk to as well”
Security features as an option	“Where is this [app information] going? Who is going to see it, it’s not something I would like to share with everyone” “[You need a password, because] it is different to that stuff [Social Media]… that actually means something…” “[Apps that you] don’t need to login or register”