Addressing the Mental Health Megatrend with Digital Solutions
We are experiencing a global mental health crisis. Mental health disorders have long been, and continue to be, one of the biggest healthcare concerns. Mental health conditions have been increasing at an alarming rate and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this issue.
According to the World Health Organization, close to 1 billion people suffer from a mental health disorder.
Despite the current mental health crisis, there is a limited mental and behavioral health workforce and a shortage and inaccessibility of services and resources. However, interest and investments in mental health solutions are growing rapidly.
Steps to gently detoxify the mind
Primary drivers for investments in mental health solutions
Increased awareness and greater understanding of mental health conditions
Decreased stigma and increased advocacy for mental health
Improved mental health diagnostic techniques
Shortage and inaccessibility of mental health providers, services, and resources
Increased adoption of digitally oriented mental health solutions
How can digital solutions help?
In combination with in-person care, digital solutions can span the mental healthcare continuum to create a more robust patient care platform and help overcome barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
There is an urgency to provide innovative digital solutions that, ideally, lower the barriers to mental healthcare and improve the user experience and patients’ lives.
*World Mental Health Day: an opportunity to kick-start a massive scale-up in investment in mental health. World Health Organization website. Accessed March 29, 2023. www.who.int/news/item/27-08-2020-world-mental-health-day-an-opportunity-to-kick-start-a-massive-scale-up-in-investment-in-mental-health#:~:text=Mental%20health%20is%20one%20of,every%2040%20seconds %20by%20suicide.
Key barriers to mental healthcare
Accessibility
Social stigma
Cost
Overcoming barriers to mental healthcare with digital solutions
Virtual care and other digital tools can increase accessibility, allow patients greater access to care, and decrease wait times for services
On-demand digital resources provide patients with immediate access to “anytime” care to help address pressing or ongoing issues
Digital therapy reduces the need for transportation and allows for visits or access to other services or resources from the safety, convenience, and comfort of a patient’s home
Virtual or digital mental healthcare allows those who have faced stigma or discrimination to have more anonymity
Clinician-based virtual visits may enable a better match of therapist and patient and can broaden patient access points across a variety of time zones and geographic locations
Text messaging enables therapists to deliver care in smaller segments, provide care for a greater number of patients, and follow more flexible schedules
The reduced need for direct contact with a mental health professional may contribute to a more cost-effective approach
For patients with mild or more manageable conditions, some mental health providers have embraced non–clinician-based mental health solutions as adjuncts to clinician-based care. Examples include
digital cognitive behavioral therapy programs
artificial intelligence chatbots
gamified user exercises
other online content delivered through a variety of media
Digital solutions are showing great promise to help shape the future of mental healthcare. Virtual care and other digital tools have the potential to provide the mental healthcare system with long-term, scalable evidence-based solutions that increase capacity and flexibility and provide patients with improved access, convenience, and, ultimately, outcomes.
How can Artcraft Health help?
Artcraft Health can help you to optimize your efforts to address the mental health megatrend and overcome barriers to care. Our experienced team can help you to create digital solutions such as apps, websites, videos, animations, text back programs and more.
Written by Linda Lipp, Senior Medical Writer
Linda Lipp is a senior medical writer at Artcraft Health. She has helped craft content for a variety of clients in the pharmaceutical, clinical trial, medical device, and patient education industries. Linda is passionate about science, education, wellness, nutrition, and the great outdoors.