Anxiety, depression, and other behavioral conditions have emerged as the primary factors adversely impacting an individual’s quality of life. The World Health Organization states that depression is projected to become the leading cause of most mental health issues by 2030.
In May 2022, the Small Business Bonfire reported that mental health had been a prominent topic of discussion over the past decade. Consequently, significant strides are being made daily to enhance the mental well-being of people worldwide. Digital technology is one of the key advancements in this endeavor.
In February 2023, Digital Health reported that Future Capital Care had developed new tools aimed at improving access to online mental health solutions. Dr. Lauren Evans, Director, Research and Innovation at the company, emphasized the potential of digital mental health tools to help individuals manage unstable mental health conditions. However, with several choices available, it becomes crucial to simplify the process of recommending and evaluating such tools.
In this blog, we will discuss how technology is reshaping the landscape of mental healthcare. Furthermore, we will discuss cutting-edge and innovative tech tools that are expected to contribute to better mental healthcare in 2023.
Technology and Mental Healthcare: The Tools to Count On
The sudden onset of the pandemic in 2020 resulted in increased cases of depression and stress. In response to this, Google has recently introduced new resources to help users effectively manage stress.
Whenever individuals search for phrases or words related to mental health or suicide, Google Search will now provide helpline numbers, ensuring immediate access to support. Additionally, Google will offer conversation starters that can be shared through text messages, facilitating open discussions about mental health.
These prompts have been developed in collaboration with experts from the International Association for Suicide Prevention, aiming to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
Google is also implementing similar tools for YouTube, including crisis support resource panels. These panels will assist young individuals in connecting with real-time support to prevent self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders.
A few of the leading tech tools that can benefit the mental healthcare landscape in 2023 include:
● AI and Smartphone Driven Therapies
AI counts on machine learning and natural processing and uses virtual assistants and chatbots for extending help to patients. The algorithms decode the inputs, comprehend the concern and start a conversation, enabling the patients to arrive at insightful decisions concerning diagnosis, treatment, and the selection of a therapist.
One of the best examples of this is Woebot, which can help patients to practice cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tactics and also manage the symptoms between their appointments. If a user is anxious, depressed, or feeling stuck, this tool empowers them to move at their pace.
Through the use of natural language processing and CBT techniques, the tool provides a conversational experience via the mobile app. It doesn’t have a direct integration with connected health devices; instead, it relies on data collected from the user’s smartphone to provide personalized recommendations.
● Therapy Practice Management Software
One of the primary concerns in mental healthcare is ensuring the availability of practitioners who promptly attend to their patients. As the number of patients continues to increase, therapy practice management software proves to be instrumental in streamlining practices and offering timely assistance. One significant advantage of this software is the ability to provide remote patient care, enabling psychologists and therapists to deliver therapy services and counseling virtually.
Grand View Research states that the global market for practice management systems reached a valuation of USD 12.4 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to have a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.72% from 2023 to 2030.
In essence, therapy practice management software encompasses various features, including insurance claims management, billing, electronic health records (EHR), client communication, reporting, and insurance claims management.
Owl Practice emphasizes the importance of leading practitioners in this field being capable of managing clients from multiple locations. Relying on separate systems for different locations can lead to cumbersome processes. Thus, it is essential to adopt a centralized system that enables therapists to have a comprehensive view of everything happening at a glance, facilitating better connectivity with clients.
● Digital Therapeutic Games
These are also known as prescription video games that are coming up as a mental health treatment, which blends in therapeutic interventions and gamely. It’s one of the best instances of technological tools which help both adults and children to bring about an improvement in their mental health.
For instance, Dr. Raknes and Attensi created Helping Hands, a learning simulation, for preventing mental health disorders in adolescents. It brings in life-changing scenarios that reinforce the positive decisions for people who use this tool. It helps people to alter their thought processes, providing them with relief through positive feelings.
Conclusion
Mental health problems have always been part of human society. However, the pandemic heightened it because of the deaths caused due to the virus and the subsequent lockdowns. Tech tools have been able to tap into issues like stress and anxiety and provide some relief through advanced tools like Helping Hands and Woebot.
These advancements pave the way for improved patient experiences and better practitioner-patient connectivity and ultimately contribute to the overall enhancement of mental well-being worldwide. As we embrace these advanced tech tools, we can look forward to a future where mental healthcare becomes more accessible, efficient, and effective, offering hope and support to individuals seeking help on their mental health journey.
Digital Health Buzz!
Digital Health Buzz! aims to be the destination of choice when it comes to what’s happening in the digital health world. We are not about news and views, but informative articles and thoughts to apply in your business.
