Mental Health Care and Use of Technology
On October 10th was World Mental Health Day. We all have seen posts about seeing people that have suffered or dealt with something that has made their life difficult. Growing up, I use to write in a journal and talk about how I was different and did not fit in. My brother and I talked about this as we grew up and felt as if we did not belong sometimes. As we grew up, as adults we realized we were not alone. It is something socially we sometimes accepted and learned to try to make a difference and educate people. There were times, I know I still feel alone sometimes and do not know how to express myself fully because a person may not understand. Technology can also offer new ways to treat mental health disorders.
According to Healthcare IT News, people can access about over 800+ apps devoted to mental health. These apps help users cope with symptoms, share their stories, and complete calming, repetitive actions. These apps just do help patients, they help health care professionals, physicians, therapists, with useful data. Since a phone can be carried with you, wherever you go, this data can collect valuable and record this data quicker. Some of these apps focus on depression and anxiety disorders.
They are mobile apps that can help people struggling with an addiction. There is a paid app out there that allows you to connect to a mental health professional. If you are in a crisis, the person can use this app outside of their therapy session. Other apps out there offer daily mediations, consumption tracking, and visual exercises. Alcoholics Anonymous added their 12-step progression program to its app.
Support groups even exist online these days, which makes it easier to communicate to people without leaving your house. Many people feel more comfortable opening up to people they do not know or not in their town because they do not feel they will be judged also you can remain more anonymous this way. A website called the Big White Wall, allows users remain anonymous, people can feel comfortable revealing their struggles and engaging with other participants.
Telehealth has allowed people help patients feel more comfortable. Patients have Improved access who can’t or won’t see a professional in person. Video calls can be more effective than phone calls because video advances human connection and bonding more efficiently than mere audio communication.
As you can see, they are a lot of ways to deal with mental health with technology. You are not alone out there. You always have someone to talk to. Never feel alone.
You cannot control everything, but you can always relax and have faith that things will work out.
