Recent findings by Forbes show that America and other developed nations are undergoing a mental health crisis. More than 2.5 million adults currently struggle with acute depression and can’t access the required treatment. Substance abuse rates have also increased to 7%. Fortunately, like other medical sectors, technology has revolutionized mental health in many ways.
Innovations in mental health care, such as the use of EMDR therapies from mental health professionals with EMDR certification and tech-based interventions, have improved treatment outcomes. Unlike before, mental health treatment is currently very digitized. Below are the impacts of advancing technology on mental health.
1. AI-led Therapies have Removed Barriers to Treatment
Shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals is undoubtedly the main challenge facing mental health care provision. Other issues include long wait times to access treatment and the stigma that comes with seeking help. As a result, the mental health sector has turned to artificial intelligence to address these issues and improve access to care.
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized mental health care provision by enabling the provision of personalized care. AI-powered therapies also reduce wait times and improve efficiency in mental health care settings. AI has eliminated barriers to accessing mental health care through:
? AI for Monitoring Symptoms and Tracking Patient Process
Artificial intelligence can also be used to monitor symptoms and track patient progress. AI algorithms can accurately analyze speech patterns to identify unnoticeable signs of mania or depression. Data gathered by these technologies provide valuable insights to mental caregivers that they can use to modify treatment plans.
Artificial intelligence also automates transcription and analysis of patient statements. Therapists can then use machine learning algorithms to better understand patient progress and make evidence-based treatment decisions.
? Improve Diagnosis Accuracy
Artificial intelligence also helps improve the accuracy of mental health diagnoses. The use of video analysis in detecting symptoms and making diagnoses has shown a lot of promise. This technology analyzes patient behavior, such as nail biting and fidgeting, to identify developing mental health issues accurately.
? Use of NLP to Facilitate Customized Care
Artificial intelligence through Natural Language Processing has significantly improved care provision. Mental health professionals use NLP to analyze patient language during therapy sessions. Therapists can use these findings to identify specific patterns and tailor treatment options accordingly. This treatment approach has improved recovery rates compared to in-person therapy sessions.
2. Mental Health Access for All
Advancing technologies have revolutionized access to health care, and mental health isn’t an exception. Unlike before, seeking help for mental health-related issues is more straightforward. Modern tech solutions have enabled psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors to offer their services remotely. This means mental health patients can access help from the comfort of their homes.
For starters, online therapy platforms have improved access to quality mental health services for all patients, regardless of their location or economic status. Online services are surprisingly also more affordable than in-patient treatments.
Most mental health care providers now use Telehealth, which essentially involves using tech solutions like video-conferencing platforms to deliver real-time care. These solutions have brought and made mental health services close to people who wouldn’t easily access them.
Telehealth and other virtual therapies have eliminated geographical boundaries that were otherwise prohibitive. For instance, patients in rural areas can now access treatment without traveling and waiting for appointments to see a specialist. These technologies also eliminate various logistical barriers, such as scheduling issues and transport expenses, when seeking mental health care.
3. Digital Symptoms Tracking
Identification and tracking of mental health symptoms are common challenges faced by mental health care providers. Manual methods used for tracking symptoms were inefficient and time-consuming. Here, symptoms could only be collected through in-person visits. Most manual records also aren’t optimized for analysis, making it difficult for care providers to analyze various symptoms over time.
However, doctors can leverage digital symptom-tracking tools to monitor and understand patient symptoms, especially those that appear between appointments. Brief remote daily check-ins through a digital symptom tracker help doctors stop emerging mental health issues before they become full-blown. Advanced digital symptoms trackers also use AI algorithms to identify patterns and send alerts or warning signs to care providers.
4. Mental Health Apps
Most people struggling with mental health issues often face difficulties in seeking the required care. If you are in this fold, there are several intuitive mental health apps designed to personalize and streamline your mental health treatment journey. Mental health apps like Calm, Talkspace, and Shine, allow mental health patients in need of care to search for therapists and treatment options anonymously.
These apps also have other features that help mental health patients manage their wellness. Key features, such as mood trackers, daily reminders, and informative reading materials, are beneficial to mental health treatment. While these apps won’t replace licensed therapists, they are great tools that help mental health patients take charge of their mental health.
5. Prescription Video Games
Treatment for ADHD primarily revolved around medication, educational programs, and behavioral therapy. However, the FDA recently approved the use of prescription video games for kids diagnosed with ADHD. These non-drug treatment options are perfect for kids aged between 8 and 12 with specific types of ADHD.
Prescription video games have significantly revolutionized mental health treatment by making ADHD treatment for kids fun and accessible. While these video games can’t replace medications, they have promising results for kids suffering from ADHD. Affected kids can play these games at home, eliminating the intimidating office environments. Kids also love playing, which boosts compliance.
Drawbacks of Technology in Mental Health
While technology is certainly beneficial to mental health care, you should be wary of various drawbacks. For instance, VR solutions and telehealth eliminate the aspect of human interaction in care provision. There are also privacy concerns about adopting tech in mental health care provision. Patients are skeptical about sharing their private information online. There is also the concern of who can access data collected by mental health apps on patient behavior and symptoms.
Endnote
The future of technology in mental health is very promising. With a visible increase in mental health issues, the demand for access to mental health services from patients and mental healthcare providers has also increased. Fortunately, modern technologies provide innovative solutions that have changed how patients and professionals approach mental health care.
