Advantages

Telemental health services can be extremely important for people living in more rural communities and other settings where healthcare is not readily available or accessible. It also allows for anonymity. Due to stigmas associated with therapy, many people do not seek treatment for fear of being judged or punished in some way. The anonymity allows these people who might feel shame to seek treatment.

How it works

Licensed professionals can conduct telemental Health services through websites, phone apps, and virtual reality. Telemental health can be user-generated, allowing users to receive regular reminders about medication and healthy habits and providing general self-care advice. Other options include games and tasks that can help refocus and reframe. Some apps track activity to alert the user or caretakers to behavior changes. These apps are best for people with mild illnesses and are generally self-motivated. Trained mental health professionals can also connect users with apps and websites.

According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic raised cases of anxiety and depression by 25% worldwide. Due to the nature of the disease, it also increased the need for online treatment options, as in-person mental health treatment was generally not feasible. One study found that of 17 countries/regions surveyed, 13 said the pandemic resulted in the expansion of common telemedicine regulations.

Throughout the world, individuals are using apps to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other mental health conditions. 2B3D Inc. uses virtual reality to treat mental illness in veterans. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Interactive Screening Program uses a customized website where employees or university students can take an anonymous questionnaire and receive personalized responses from a counselor. BetterHelp matches patients with therapists online based on goals and concerns. The website Mind Apps reviews apps based on cost, security, privacy, and whether the app is supported by quality research. There are also more substantial resources that connect patients to online therapy internationally, including OnlineTherapy.com (which is a BetterHelp affiliate) and the International Therapists Directory.

The Facts

More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year. 77% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders make up 10% of the global disease burden and 25.1% of non-fatal diseases. But, there is less than one mental health staff per 100,000 people in low-income countries, compared to 50 in high-income countries. Around the world, 2.19 billion people own a smartphone, including approximately 60% of minority and low-income populations. One study found that mobile phones were used by 85% of people with serious mental illness, including 60% who used a smartphone. Grand View Research valued worldwide spending on mobile mental health applications in 2022 at 5.2 billion and anticipates it to grow another billion in 2023.

Helpful tips

Not all telemental health options are created equal! It’s important to shop around and research before using an online resource. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests eight ways to confirm that the telemental health service is legitimate, including asking a trusted healthcare provider, understanding what the app does with collected data, checking to see if the app uses effective treatments, and more.