The article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp!

Mental health conditions affect millions of people across the world. In fact, depression ranks globally as a leading cause of disability. But – despite evidence-based interventions outlined by the World Health Organization, access to quality mental health care remains limited, especially in rural or underserved communities.

The emergence of digital health care technologies offers a promising solution to bridge this gap, augmenting traditional mental health care with scalable, affordable and accessible solutions.

The Rise of Digital Health Interventions

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in sweeping challenges to mental health care systems worldwide. From fears of contracting the virus to the burdens of social isolation and economic uncertainties, the pandemic exacerbated existing mental health conditions and led to a surge in new cases of mood, anxiety, trauma and substance-use disorders.

In response, interest in web-based health service delivery has steadily grown. These interventions offer several advantages, including increased accessibility, lower cost, and the ability to adhere to social distancing measures.

Types of Digital Health Interventions Used in Mental Health Care

Digital interventions encompass a wide range of options, including synchronous and asynchronous therapist contact, web-based therapy programs, mobile apps, and virtual reality-based treatments.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the options:

Synchronous and asynchronous therapist contact: Synchronous telepsychiatry, in which a patient interacts with a therapist, usually over a video platform, in real time, has been shown to provide similar benefits as in-person therapy, and has been a staple of mental health care delivery for decades. Industry leaders like BetterHelp, for example, offer various synchronous treatment options, ranging from video sessions to phone and instant message options.

Recently, asynchronous models of therapy have become popular – these include everything from patient portal email and messaging to in-app messaging, specialty patient-to-provider mobile apps and forwarded interview videos.

Typically with asynchronous telepsychiatry, a trained interviewer will conduct and record a patient interview, then combine it with other available clinical data, including electronic medical records. This information then is shared with a telepsychiatrist, who reviews it before providing an opinion on the patient’s diagnosis and treatment options.

Web-based therapy programs: These types of programs feature content like psychoeducation, journaling, self-help therapy and assessment, reminders to take medications, motivational interventions, and web-based peer support.

When these programs are delivered with administrative or therapist guidance, they have yielded results on par with treatment as usual, while those without guidance yield significantly lower efficacy rates and report higher dropout rates.

Smartphone apps: Smartphones have become ubiquitous, providing a platform for many mental health interventions. In fact, according to a 2018 survey, 76 percent of people in advanced economies and 45 percent of those in emerging economies owned a smartphone. And recent data from the United States has shown that ownership rates could be as high as 70 percent.

With over 10,000 mental health-related apps available, patients can access everything from self-help tools to therapeutic interventions. These apps typically leverage evidence-based strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to address mental health conditions.

Research indicates that smartphone apps can effectively manage symptoms of some mental health conditions. For example, two recent studies have examined the impact of smartphone-based monitoring and treatment in real-world settings for bipolar disorder and depressive disorder.

However, the adoption of these apps remains selective, with just a few dominating the market and many others going unused.

Virtual reality:  Virtual reality offers opportunities for mental health assessment and treatment. By simulating real-world environments, VR enables exposure-based therapies for conditions like anxiety and PTSD.

Overall Effectiveness of Digital Interventions

Research indicates that various forms of telepsychiatry deliver results equal to in-person care when it comes to diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care and patient satisfaction.

Moving forward, however, there is still a need for continued research into the efficacy of digital interventions across a diverse range of mental health conditions. And – efforts to bridge the gap between available services and access for individuals, particularly in underserved populations, are crucial.

Barriers and Challenges

While digital interventions hold immense promise, implementing these technologies into routine clinical practice presents some challenges. Issues such as data privacy, algorithm biases, and the need for personalized interventions require careful consideration.

Disparities in smartphone ownership and digital literacy, for example, must be addressed to make sure patients have equitable access to care. Engagement also remains a challenge, with studies highlighting the need for standardized metrics and human support to improve user engagement. Training programs may help both patients and health care providers navigate technology and use digital mental health tools effectively.

Collaborative efforts between healthcare systems and technology developers could streamline the integration process, ensuring that digital are effectively meeting patient needs.

The Bottom Line

The integration of digital health technologies into mental health care represents a transformative shift in how we approach treatment and support. By leveraging smartphones, social media, and virtual reality, we can expand access to evidence-based interventions and empower individuals to take control of their mental well-being. However, ensuring the quality, safety, and effectiveness of these interventions remains paramount as we navigate the digital frontier of mental health care.