How can we use what we have to boost mental health awareness?
Globally, over 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Treatment resistance is the state in which about one-third of depressed individuals do not improve after taking two or more antidepressants. However, new scientific discoveries have produced antidepressants with entirely distinct modes of action.
As we are progressing towards a life of convenience and ease with far newer and efficient technologies and innovations, it is high time we channel the same towards bringing an improvement in the overall health and peace of our fellow humans. This is a short but thought provoking way of saying that even the daily used technology that we take for granted can be a very strong weapon when used for the right reasons, one of them being, addressing the issue of mental health and its treatment.
Here’s a list of how we can address mental health:
Social Media Identifies Patterns and Prevents Self-Harm
Over four billion people use social media worldwide, and their devices produce enormous amounts of data. An increasing body of research indicates that language patterns and images in posts can assess mental health trends across entire populations as well as reveal and predict mental health conditions for specific individuals.
These enormous databases can be used by researchers, tech companies, government agencies, and nongovernmental organisations to search for indicators of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and suicide risk. This is made possible by advancements in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and other data science tools.
Using psychedelics to help treat mental illnesses
The prospect that psychedelics could be effective treatments for mental illnesses has been rekindled by recent research. Innovative, secure, and successful treatments are undoubtedly helpful for patients suffering from conditions like PTSD and MDD. About a third of MDD patients have so-called “treatment refractory” depression, which is depression that does not improve at all, and less than half of those with these disorders respond to medication or psychotherapy.
It’s crucial to find novel treatments for mental health issues. Psychedelics may have transformative effects if they prove to be safe and effective for treating these disorders.
Digital resources to improve mental health provider training and close gaps
In low- and middle-income nations, an estimated 4 out of 5 persons suffering from mental illnesses do not receive any kind of mental health treatment. This result is a result of low mental health budgets devoted to the care of a small number of patients in mental hospitals as well as low awareness of the availability of mental health treatments.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the remarkable need for psychosocial and mental health services in impacted communities and reaffirmed the increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life. Digital tools are useful for large-scale psychological intervention supervision and quality control.
Online courses that promote healthy mental habits
Active school systems are one of the best ways to implement mental health education. The world we live in today is hyperconnected, and learning in the future will be based on a blend of digital and hybrid models. We can really revolutionize teen mental health education by forming public-private partnerships, working with tech and social media companies, and endorsing these projects with celebrities or other social media influencers.
Digital markets to guarantee high-quality solutions for mental health
The list of applications in the Apple and Google Play stores is over 10,000, and it doesn’t end with smartphone downloads. These apps make claims to help with psychological issues. A number of quality-control issues have emerged along with the enormous variety of solutions. Which digital tools have been tested to make sure they actually benefit patients, and which have been created using the best available clinical evidence?
The use of Virtual Reality in tackling other mental health issues
This involves the use of virtual reality (VR) in exposure therapy for treating conditions such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Virtual reality environments provide a safe and controlled space for individuals to confront and process challenging situations.
Therapists can tailor scenarios to the specific needs of each patient, gradually exposing them to triggers in a therapeutic setting. This innovative approach enhances traditional therapeutic methods, offering a more immersive and targeted intervention to help individuals overcome and manage their mental health challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, leveraging technology and innovations in mental health holds immense potential for revolutionizing the way we understand, diagnose, and treat mental health issues. From accessible digital platforms offering therapy and support to advanced tools for early detection and personalized interventions, technology can enhance accessibility, reduce stigma, and improve overall mental well-being.
However, ethical considerations, data privacy concerns, and the need for a balanced approach that complements human connection are crucial aspects to be mindful of as we continue integrating technology into mental health care.
