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Digital Advances: Digital Mental Health Tools

Transforming mental health management 

Mental health conditions affect a significant portion of the global population, yet mental healthcare systems are inadequately resourced to fill the large treatment gap that exists.1 Barriers that may hinder the quality of care that patients receive include stigmatization, staff shortages, fragmented care, and poor patient adherence to medications.2,3 Furthermore, the limited resources in both inpatient and outpatient settings can make the implementation of psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) challenging.4,5 

Some CBT techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and problem-solving, can potentially be incorporated into digital tools to assist patients in managing their mental health and potentially help alleviate the challenges in the current healthcare system.6,7 Such digital mental health tools have the potential to offer more personalized treatment via specialized features, such as symptom monitoring, medication and appointment reminders, and 24-7 access to treatment.6-8 Wearable devices that can collect information, track activity, and even deliver treatment are another way that digital tools can be used to improve mental healthcare.9 

Digital Mental Health Tools infographic

Addressing tomorrow’s healthcare challenges today 

Considering how to appropriately implement digital health tools into existing healthcare systems is essential.1 Several studies have emphasized the need to include patients’ perspectives in the design of digital health tools to increase patient uptake.10,11 For example, digital tools must be as user friendly as possible to prevent digital exclusion.12 Additionally, high ethical and regulatory standards must be maintained to give patients the confidence to use digital tools.10 The digitization of psychosocial treatment could be further advanced through research into integrated care models that would eliminate repetitive tasks by providers, offer cost-effective care, and support patients after therapy sessions are completed.6,13 Digital mental health technologies have the potential to expand patient access to evidence-based care,7,14 but the ultimate goal is to design innovative products that can easily be integrated into healthcare systems to improve patient outcomes. 

Cite this article as Digital Advances: Digital Mental Health Tools. Connecting Psychiatry. Published August 2024. Accessed [month day, year]. [URL] 
 

  1. Berardi C, et al. BMC Health Serv Res 2024;24:243.

  2. Wainberg ML, et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2017;19:28.

  3. Semahegn A, et al. Syst Rev 2020;9:17.

  4. Rowlands P. Adv Psychiatr Treat 2004;10:403–412.

  5. Kessler U, et al. J Eat Disord 2022;10:15.

  6. Denecke K, et al. J Med Internet Res 2022;24:e27791.

  7. Eisner E, et al. BMC Psychiatry 2023;23:726.

  8. Maricich YA, et al. Hosp Pract (1995) 2021;49:348-355.

  9. Gomes N, et al. Sensors (Basel) 2023;23:1330.

  10. Wykes T, et al. Curr Treat Options Psych 2019;6:232–242.

  11. Madanian S, et al. PEC Innov 2023;2:100171.

  12. Spanakis P, et al. Br J Psychiatry 2021;219:529–531.

  13. Nakao M, et al. Biopsychosoc Med 2021;15:16.

  14. Jennett PA, et al. J Telemed Telecare 2003;9:311–320.

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August 2024

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