Mental health comprises emotional, psychological and social well-being. Global mental health problems have shown an increase in its statistics. Some psychotherapy approaches such as Internet-based therapy and mobile therapy have been carried out in clinical settings to improve one’s mental health conditions. The objective of this paper is to identify the different kinds of text messaging platforms that have been tested in mental health computerised-based therapy settings. This paper also aimed to identify the effectiveness of the text messaging platforms on different mental health problems specifically. The review considered five databases (Scopus, PubMed, ACM Digital Library, IEEE XPlore and Web of Science) for the article searching process. The retrieved articles were screened to fulfil the selection criteria including English and Malay language but exclude research protocols, proposals for a prototype application and literature reviews. The search resulted in 3656 articles but only 18 were selected for further review. It was found that web applications were the least used type of text messaging in mental health therapy, followed by mobile applications, whereas SMS was the most popular platform. Overall, the three text messaging platforms showed improvements in depression, anxiety, suicide risk, self-harm risk, mood, eating behaviour and alcohol intake. Mental health treatment through mobile therapy has the potential to help individuals with mental health problems. Suggested future directions for research community includes comparison between two or three types of text messaging platforms used in interventions to identify which platform is the most suitable to improve a particular mental health problem.

• Aguilera, A., Bruehlman-Senecal, E., Demasi, O., & Avila, P. (2017). Automated text messaging as an adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy for depression: A clinical trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(5), Article e148. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6914

• Agyapong, V. I. O., Juhás, M., Mrklas, K., Hrabok, M., Omeje, J., Gladue, I., Kozak, J., Leslie, M., Chue, P., & Greenshaw, A. J. (2018). Randomized controlled pilot trial of supportive text messaging for alcohol use disorder patients. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 94(August), 74-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2018.08.014

• Agyapong, V. I. O., Juhás, M., Ohinmaa, A., Omeje, J., Mrklas, K., Suen, V. Y. M., Dursun, S. M., & Greenshaw, A. J. (2017). Randomized controlled pilot trial of supportive text messages for patients with depression. BMC Psychiatry, 17(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1448-2

• Alghamdi, N. S. (2019). Monitoring mental health using smart devices with text analytical tool. In 2019 6th International Conference on Control, Decision and Information Technologies (CoDIT) (pp. 2046-2051). IEEE Conference Publication. https://doi.org/10.1109/CoDIT.2019.8820381

• Almeida, A. M. P., Almeida, H. S., & Figueiredo-Braga, M. (2018). Mobile solutions in depression: Enhancing communication with patients using an SMS-based intervention. Procedia Computer Science, 138(January), 89-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2018.10.013

• American Heart Association. (2019). Mental health a workforce crisis. Retrieved Mac 9, 2020, from https://ceoroundtable.heart.org/mentalhealth/

• Anstiss, D., & Davies, A. (2015). “Reach out, rise up”: The efficacy of text messaging in an intervention package for anxiety and depression severity in young people. Children and Youth Services Review, 58, 99-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.09.011

• Arean, P. A., Hallgren, K. A., Jordan, J. T., Gazzaley, A., Atkins, D. C., Heagerty, P. J., & Anguera, J. A. (2016). The use and effectiveness of mobile apps for depression: Results from a fully remote clinical trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(12), Article e330. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6482

• Aschbrenner, K. A., Naslund, J. A., Tomlinson, E. F., Kinney, A., Pratt, S. I., & Brunette, M. F. (2019). Adolescents’ use of digital technologies and preferences for mobile health coaching in public mental health settings. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00178

• Berrouiguet, S., Baca-García, E., Brandt, S., Walter, M., & Courtet, P. (2016). Fundamentals for future mobile-health (mHealth): a systematic review of mobile phone and web-based text messaging in mental health. Journal of medical Internet research, 18(6), Article e135. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5066

• Bock, B. C., Barnett, N. P., Thind, H., Rosen, R., Walaska, K., Traficante, R., Foster, R., Deutsch, C., Fava, J. L., & Scott-Sheldon, L. A. J. (2016). A text message intervention for alcohol risk reduction among community college students: TMAP. Addictive Behaviors, 63, 107-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.07.012

• Boettcher, J., Magnusson, K., Marklund, A., Berglund, E., Blomdahl, R., Braun, U., Delin, L., Lundén, C., Sjöblom, K., Sommer, D., von Weber, K., Andersson, G., & Carlbring, P. (2018). Adding a smartphone app to internet-based self-help for social anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Computers in Human Behavior, 87, 98-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.04.052

• Christensen, H., Farrer, L., Batterham, P. J., Mackinnon, A., Griffiths, K. M., & Donker, T. (2013). The effect of a web-based depression intervention on suicide ideation: Secondary outcome from a randomised controlled trial in a helpline. BMJ Open, 3(6), 1-9.

• Cox, K. L., & Allida, S. M. (2020). Text messages to reduce depressive symptoms: Do they work and what makes them effective? A systematic review. Health Education Journal, 80(3), 253-271. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896920959368

• Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: A step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing, 17(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2008.17.1.28059

• Darvishi, N., Farhadi, M., Haghtalab, T., & Poorolajal, J. (2015). Alcohol-related risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide: A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 10(5), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126870

• Diraditsile, K., & Rasesigo, K. (2018). Substance abuse and mental health effects among the youth in Botswana: Implications for social research. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 24(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2018/38304

• Dwyer, A., de Almeida Neto, A., Estival, D., Li, W., Lam-Cassettari, C., & Antoniou, M. (2021). Suitability of text-based communications for the delivery of psychological therapeutic services to rural and remote communities: Scoping review. JMIR mental health, 8(2), Article e19478. https://doi.org/10.2196/19478

• García, Y., Ferrás, C., Rocha, Á., & Aguilera, A. (2019). Exploratory study of psychosocial therapies with text messages to mobile phones in groups of vulnerable immigrant women. Journal of Medical Systems, 43(8), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-019-1393-3

• Higgins, J. P. T., Savović, J., Page, M. J., Elbers, R. G., & Sterne, J. A. C. (2020). Chapter 8: Assessing risk of bias in a randomized trial. In J. P. T. Higgins, J. Thomas, J. Chandler, M. Cumpston, T. Li, M. J. Page & V. A. Welch (Eds.), Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions version 6.1 (pp. 205-228). John Wiley & Sons Inc.

• Islam, S. M. S., Chow, C. K., Redfern, J., Kok, C., Rådholm, K., Stepien, S., Rodgers, A., & Hackett, M. L. (2019). Effect of text messaging on depression in patients with coronary heart disease: A substudy analysis from the TEXT ME randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 9(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022637

• Jiménez-Molina, Á., Franco, P., Martínez, V., Martínez, P., Rojas, G., & Araya, R. (2019). Internet-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders in Latin America: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10(September), Article 664. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00664

• Kodama, T., Syouji, H., Takaki, S., Fujimoto, H., Ishikawa, S., Fukutake, M., Taira, M., & Hashimoto, T. (2016). Text messaging for psychiatric outpatients. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(4), 31-37.

• Kraft, S., Wolf, M., Klein, T., Becker, T., Bauer, S., & Puschner, B. (2017). Text message feedback to support mindfulness practice in people with depressive symptoms: A pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 5(5), Article e59. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.7095

• Menezes, P., Quayle, J., Claro, H. G., Da Silva, S., Brandt, L. R., Diez-Canseco, F., Miranda, J. J., Price, L. S. N., Mohr, D. C., & Araya, R. (2019). Use of a mobile phone app to treat depression comorbid with hypertension or diabetes: A pilot study in Brazil and Peru. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.2196/11698

• Mental Health Foundation. (2006). Cheers? Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved August 7, 2020, from https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/15771/1/cheers_report%5B1%5D.pdf

• Mental Health Foundation. (2016). Fundamental facts about mental health 2016. Mental Health Foundation, London. Retrieved February 4, 2021, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/fundamental-facts-about-mental-health-2016.pdf

• Ministry of Health Malaysia. (2016). Press releases mental health problems in Malaysia. Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/modules_resources/english/database_stores/96/337_451.pdf

• Ministry of Health Malaysia. (2017). Malaysian mental healthcare performance technical report 2016. Malaysian Healthcare Performance Unit: National Institute of Health. Retrieved July 14, 2020, from https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Laporan/Umum/Mental%20Healthcare%20Performance%20Report%202016.pdf

• National Anti-Drug Agency. (2019). Drugs statistics and report. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.adk.gov.my/en/public/drugs-statistics/.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Mental health effects. Retrieved July 6, 2020, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/health-consequences-drugmisuse/mental-health-effects

• National Institute of Mental Health. (2017). Mental health information statistics. Retrieved December 12, 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/index.shtml

• Rathbone, A. L., & Prescott, J. (2017). The use of mobile apps and SMS messaging as physical and mental health interventions: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(8), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7740

• Renfrew, M. E., Morton, D. P., Morton, J. K., Hinze, J. S., Beamish, P. J., Przybylko, G., & Craig, B. A. (2020). A web- And mobile app-based mental health promotion intervention comparing email, short message service, and videoconferencing support for a healthy cohort: Randomized comparative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(1), Article e15592. https://doi.org/10.2196/15592

• Senanayake, B., Wickramasinghe, S. I., Chatfield, M. D., Hansen, J., Edirippulige, S., & Smith, A. C. (2019). Effectiveness of text messaging interventions for the management of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 25(9), 513-523. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X19875852

• Shingleton, R. M., Pratt, E. M., Gorman, B., Barlow, D. H., Palfai, T. P., & Thompson-Brenner, H. (2016). Motivational text message intervention for eating disorders: A single-case alternating treatment design using ecological momentary assessment. Behavior Therapy, 47(3), 325-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.01.005

• Stevens, G. J., Hammond, T. E., Brownhill, S., Anand, M., De La Riva, A., Hawkins, J., Chapman, T., Baldacchino, R., Micallef, J. A., Andepalli, J., Kotak, A., Gunja, N., Page, A., Gould, G., Ryan, C. J., Whyte, I. M., Carter, G. L., & Jones, A. (2019). SMS SOS: A randomized controlled trial to reduce self-harm and suicide attempts using SMS text messaging. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 4-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2104-9

• Teles, A., Rodrigues, I., Viana, D., Silva, F., Coutinho, L., Endler, M., & Rabelo, R. (2019). Mobile mental health: A review of applications for depression assistance. In 2019 IEEE 32nd International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (CBMS) (pp. 708-713). IEEE Conference Publication. https://doi.org/10.1109/CBMS.2019.00143

• Wolf, M., Kraft, S., Tschauner, K., Bauer, S., Becker, T., & Puschner, B. (2016). User activity in a mobile phone intervention to assist mindfulness exercises in people with depressive symptoms. Mental Health and Prevention, 4(2), 57-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2016.02.003

• World Health Organization. (2019). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics. Retrieved June 16, 2020, from https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en

• World Health Organization. (2019). Mental disorders. Retrieved January 10, 2020, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders

• Xu, D., Xiao, S., He, H., Caine, E. D., Gloyd, S., Simoni, J., Hughes, J. P., Nie, J., Lin, M., He, W., Yuan, Y., & Gong, W. (2019). Lay health supporters aided by mobile text messaging to improve adherence, symptoms, and functioning among people with schizophrenia in a resource-poor community in rural China (LEAN): A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Medicine, 16(4), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002785

• Zhang, R., Nicholas, J., Knapp, A. A., Graham, A. K., Gray, E., Kwasny, M. J., Reddy, M., & Mohr, D. C. (2019). Clinically meaningful use of mental health apps and its effects on depression: Mixed methods study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(12), Article e15644. https://doi.org/10.2196/15644