Mental health is pivotal to our overall health. Its neglect can lead to larger issues, chronic diseases and long-drawn out treatments. Despite this knowledge mental health is more often than not ignored, unnoticed and unaddressed. It is a known fact that mental health issues, anxiety, and depression depreciate the quality of life and the standard of living but also cause physical health problems- affecting vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, etc. The stigma surrounding mental health, inadequate resources, all add up to make mental therapeutics a challenge for individuals.
Research suggests that mental distress is increasing globally. This increase largely includes children and youth suffering from low self-esteem, self-harm behaviours and suicidal thoughts. Depression and generalised anxiety are the commonly experienced mental health issues amongst the more matured population. That said, according to a survey, around 51% of adults suffer from depression, and about 61% of people suffer from high anxiety. These were the already existing mental health issues that had been existing pre-Covid. With the spread of the pandemic came fear, stress, and social isolation that took a serious toll on people’s mental health. The pressure on mental health services increased manifold that was already stretched thin by a shortage of workforce and resources.
To address the abovementioned shortage the use of technology in mental health treatments has been on the rise in the recent past. The advancements in healthcare technology has facilitated mental health professionals to provide more effective and accessible treatment options to their patients, irrespective of their location, social or financial status. These emerging technologies for the assessment, monitoring, and treatment of mental health conditions expand the choice of treatment options available for individuals and communities. Technology for mental health treatment, undoubtedly, has become an indispensable tool in supporting individuals’ mental health.
It is a striking fact that although nearly half the world population might not be able to access mental health therapy, but they definitely have access to a smartphone. This is where the relevance of the digital age comes in. Digital solutions strengthen therapeutic alliances and improve outcomes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry has seen a paradigm shift in Digital Health with the plethora of innovations to facilitate patients during the lockdown and social distancing.
With myriad platforms, applications, and digital health alternatives available, keeping a constant tab on our physical and mental should not be a challenge, anymore.
Let's find out how we can utilize the digital age to better our health.
Digital health solutions has revolutionized mental health therapy by modernizing applictations. The latter involves updating and improving software applications for mental therapy to be in sync with the latest healthcare technology. The aim of the process is to enhance user experience, streamline workflows and increase the effectiveness of therapy sessions. From the perspective of the mental health professionals, they can stay ahead with on-demand modernizing therapy applications.
This modernization of application enhances user experience which includes features such as online appointment scheduling, secure messaging between clinicians and patients and access to personalized resources and tools. Modernized applications can also incorporate AI-powered chatbots for immediate support and guidance to individuals in need. This instant aid complements the work of therapists and expands access to mental health services.
Digital health might be relatively new globally. But healthcare services are consistently moving towards a digital model. This means that patients will be more proactive about their health quotient. The patient-physician therapeutic alliance would be stronger and the patient would have an active say in the line of treatment. This is a major advancement on yesterday when seeking treatment would be bogged down by challenges like availability of doctor’s appointment, social discouragements and geographical location.
Digital Transformation in mental health therapy is about integration of digital technologies for the enhancement of delivery, accessibility, and effectiveness of mental health treatment. This healthcare technology leverages digital tools such as cloud computing, IoT, data analytics, and other innovations to make traditional therapeutic practices into more efficient and patient-centric approaches.
Teletherapy has made therapeutics easy, accessible and timely without demanding heavy physical and fiscal investments. Cloud computing, Internet of Things and data analytics facilitate secure storage and sharing of patient data, enabling clinicians to collaborate and provide personalized treatment plans. IoT devices and wearables further enable more accurate diagnoses and tailored interventions. But it is imperative that concerns that spill out of digital transformation should not be swept under the rug. Privacy and security concerns surround the storage of and access to sensitive patient data. Ethical use of data analytics is also important to ensure that therapy continues to be holistic and personalized.
By opting for Digital Health, patients can make informed and educated decisions about their health and wellness and choose their options for facilitating prevention, early diagnosis of life-threatening diseases, and managing chronic conditions outside of traditional healthcare. Digital technologies includes categories such as Mobile Health (mHealth), Telehealth, Telemedicine, Digital Therapeutics (DTx), Health Information Technology, Remote Patient Monitoring, and wearable devices such as Fitbits.
Overuse of technology has often been blamed for bad mental health of youth and children. But it is the self-same technology that can work wonders to heal, bring mindfulness and calmness to a stressed mind. The global lockdown brought on by COVID 19, also brought out a worldwide state of anxiety, loneliness and fear. These were very ably managed with the support of digital solutions. The increase in virtual events greatly helped to keep people entertained and distracted from their personal worries. There were virtual tours of zoos, art galleries, museums and live music shows hosted from artist’s homes.
Pub quizzes became extremely popular often being played between friends and families over video chats. These helped to make people feel connected. Work videos are another option to stay fit and maintain a healthy mental balance. They help bring down anxiety and depression levels.
Informational Websites carry data about mental issues; symptoms, treatments and even case studies. People only need an internet access to use online tools and services to find information about mental health problems. Information websites such as Mind and NHS provide useful information.
These websites virtually connect you to people who have been or are in a similar state as you. Reading other people's accounts of mental health helps make you feel less alone and isolated. There are different online communities and mental health forums where people can speak freely about what they’re going through.
Mental health apps are an easy way to seek help for mental issues. These can be accessed on the go; anywhere and at any time. mHealth apps are a great source for people who might have to struggle to access other options. With apps people can find information in a private and secure way.
There are numerous apps specifically for mental health. There are such apps that occupy your mind, relieve stress, or track your mood. For example, meditation apps offer exercises to help relax and improve sleep by way of breathing exercises.
AI (artificial intelligence) therapy is another digital solution for the mentally troubled. As technology advances chatbots are having capabilities to replace human companions. With machine learning and natural language processing, chatbots are perfectly equipped to provide a friendly ear or engage in therapeutic small talk. They utilise conversational input to gauge the mood of the service user and respond with empathy.
Chatbots are particularly useful when resistance is encountered in totally human treatment. Voice assistants are readily stepping in to provide comfort and solutions where patients are hesitant in discussing their problems with professionals. Google Home or Alexa can give hints like: talk to a friend, go for a walk if you share your lonely feeling with it.
E-therapy programmes for treating mental health issues are a popular option due to their convenience based approach. Not having to travel and being able to choose a time that suits help people feel more comfortable. Talking about problems in their own home and not necessarily face to face with someone in person is definitely a plus.
The Internet has greatly helped in making mental health treatment more accessible. Using the internet gives people an anonymity that wipes out the stigma that has historically been attached to mental health issues.
Mental health or its therapeutic solutions could not gain public or social attention till after Sigmund Freud. But today, digital mental health solutions are the buzzword for helping patients manage their mental health, achieve mindfulness and calmness, and be free from stress and anxiety. There are smartphone apps, virtual reality solutions, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things, Digital Analytics, and Transformation are some of the latest technologies used in mental health therapy. These can either work independently or in tandem with each other. The healthcare industry is implementing these technologies to make treatment, diagnosis and outcome specifically patient centric. Let us explore some of the technological solutions available to treat mental health issues.
DevOps is a combination of software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). It emphasizes consistent and continuous integration and delivery that facilitates professionals to rapidly iterate on their treatment strategies and do a quick adaptation inkeeping with changing patient needs. DevOps helps in seamless communication and the effective deployment of technology-driven solutions. This is done by breaking down silos between developers, therapists, and IT professionals. DevOps with mental healthcare is quite beneficial for the healthcare industry provided the scarcity of trained resources and expertise could be overcome.
Virtual Reality (VR) therapy or Visual Simulation Technology (VST) uses computer-generated environments to create a realistic and immersive experience for individuals to accept and overcome specific fears or anxieties. VR therapy has been effective in treating a number of mental health conditions like psychosis and anxiety disorders.Virtual Reality (VR) offers a secure environment for exposure therapy and relaxation exercises. With the aid of these technologies, therapists can simulate tough real-life scenarios, and provide guided sessions for patients to develop coping strategies in a controlled setting.
Some case studies clinical researches have been able to highlight the efficacy of Augmented Reality (AR) and VR in mental health treatment. For instance, VR has been effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It recreates triggering situations within a controlled space to help a patient develop a coping mechanism. Likewise, AR has the ability to support individuals with social anxiety. It provides interactive assistance with real-time feedback and guidance for the purpose.
The advent of AI, Machine Learning and NLP has presented the human race with a number of digital solutions to deal with growing mental health diseases. One of the foremost benefits of AI for treating mental health problems is its ability to read signs and forecast a mental disorder in it nascent stage. It can sieve through humongous amounts of data drawing from social media posts, internet behaviors and physiological measurements to discern nuanced patterns for forecasting a deteriorating mental state. These algorithmic predictive analysis assist mental health professions in timely identifications of conditions, prompt intervention and subsequent arrest of a mental disorder. AI also helps in identifying risk factors and prediction of probability of developing mental disorders. This contributes to preventive interventions and reduction in prevalence of mental health issues.
The various ways Machine learning and AI are used: AI based diagnostic and assessment tools, Chatbots and Virtual Assistants, Predictive Analytics for Suicide Prevention, Personalized treatment plans, Intelligent monitoring and early warning systems, NLP for sentiment analysis and Improved access to Mental health services.
Cloud computing has been the transformative force behind revolutionizing mental health therapeutics. It has empowered both healthcare providers and patients. In a stark contrast to traditional on-premises systems, cloud computing offers scalability, accessibility and flexibility.
With scalability Cloud platforms help mental health organizations scale up or down their resources depending on demand. There could be a sudden surge in telehealth appointments and a need for expanding data storage - the Cloud can adapt without a hitch. Its Flexibility helps healthcare providers to access clinical data, treatment plans, and patient records from anywhere over the Internet. This flexibility is the bulwark for remote work, collaboration, and continuity of care.
The Cloud stored data has easy accessibility. A therapist can access a client's progress notes during a late-night crisis intervention. Cloud based solutions ensure that critical information is available whenever, from wherever. The key components of Behavioral Health Cloud Solutions include Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Telehealth Platforms, Cloud Analytics and Insights, and Security Measures.
Internet of Things (IoT), is made up of numerous interconnected devices that collect, distribute, and act on data. In mental health therapy, professionals use IoT for enhancing patient monitoring, enabling remote therapy sessions, and providing personalized support. For example, wearable devices are there to track vital signs and offer insights and guidance for a patient’s well-being.These devices collect real-time data, such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels, to provide therapists with information for subsequent treatment plans. The patients can then receive support without having to give up the comfort of their homes.
It has been found in researches that approximately 20-60% of patients with psychiatric disorders develop resistance to medical drugs. This greatly increases healthcare costs. Such patients can be offered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an alternative therapy. It is a non-invasive therapy that has been known to be successful in the case of clinically depressed. The therapy applies electromagnetic induction on specific areas of the brain that control mood and subsequent neuro activity.
Digital mental health solutions have evolved and advanced manifold. It all might have begun with simple mood tracking apps or some relaxation inducing apps but today, technology has taken mental health therapy to the level of some serious therapeutic interventions and treatments. People also recognize and adopt this technological support system that can be conveniently and discreetly accessed from their personal devices. Technology in mental illness is here to stay, undoubtedly as emerging technologies keep value-adding to care and efficacy of existing treatment options. However, the onus of further adoption and evolution of mental health technologies as treatments will ultimately lie on healthtech companies being able to prove their safety and efficacy.
Mahalo Health is an exceptional platform for digital health solutions, offering comprehensive services tailored to modern healthcare needs. With its user-friendly interface and innovative features, Mahalo Health streamlines patient care, promotes proactive wellness management, and facilitates seamless communication between healthcare providers and patients. Its robust technology ensures secure data management and enables personalized treatment plans, making it a top choice for individuals seeking reliable and efficient digital health solutions. Contact us for a demo today.
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