7 Mental Health Care Technology Revolution In The Pandemic

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially post 2nd wave, came a slew of new challenges which took a major toll on mental health of people. Some of the major mental health issues reported are anxiety, stress, fear, isolation, depression, insomnia. The issues have impacted people across, be it frontline workers, working or business professionals, daily wagers, homemakers, Children and older people. For People with existing mental health issues this has been even a tougher time.

The repercussions of the pandemic are clearly visible at work and in the economy. According to WHO, Mental health problems account for 35-45 percent of absenteeism, while the global economy loses $1 trillion due to mental health issues.

As an instant support to deal with this uncertainty, many experts started sharing tips, strategies through blogs, articles to create awareness and cope with mental health issues. Also, there has been an acceleration of lot of technology based interventions & solution to provide help to masses. Seeking professional help is now just a click away. Mobile applications and online websites are assisting people in dealing with a world that is collapsing around them.

There are several benefits of leveraging technology

● It will help in creating awareness through continuous engagement

● It will allow individuals to seek help whenever required from the comfort of their home.

● Expanding mental health care facilities to far off places with scarcity of mental health providers.

● Individuals can seek help without worries that comes with stigma associated with mental health

Here are 7 Mental health care technology revolution in the pandemic:

1. Telehealth

During the COVID-19 pandemic, using teleconferencing software for therapy sessions was found to be as effective as in-person services. Secure and reliable platforms, Ease of access and connect from home at personal convenience has helped not only the person seeking help, but also to the therapists to utilize their time effectively to serve more people.

2. Smartphone Apps:

Mobile apps offer information, self-assessments, quizzes, quick solutions to specific mental health issues, and phone numbers to call if the need arises. There are various apps available to deal with various psychological issues.

3. Social Media Handles:

Handles on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook have been a great source of mental health awareness as well as a place to talk about it if someone needs it.

4. Online Support Group

Various online support groups can assist people in venting, sharing experiences, and connecting with like-minded individuals while remaining anonymous.

5. e-Leaning/Online courses

Mental health experts are now offering a variety of online courses to help people improve their mental and emotional well-being. These courses are available for free or at a very affordable price and acts as guide for people in different situations.

6. Virtual reality

According to research, virtual reality tools have already been shown to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, and phobias, among other conditions. Virtual reality allows patients to navigate between real-life scenarios while also assisting them in developing essential skills to deal with a variety of situations.

7. Digital Pills

This technology, while still in its infancy, is the future of mental health. Patients’ adherence to their medical regimen can be tracked using digital pills. This aids in the prevention of any serious consequences that may arise as a result of non-compliance with prescribed medications.

Technology if harnessed well can be a real boon because of its scope and reach. It is during Covid-19 pandemic that the true potential of technology is being realised by mental health providers. Integrating technology allows for greater flexibility as well as the much-needed privacy that some people require. This is only the beginning; with technological advancements, better mental health tools will emerge