Rengganis Rizka Prasanti Each year, mental health becomes a more pressing matter. According to the latest World Mental Health Report by WHO, there is a high prevalence of mental health issues in all countries. The latest data in 2022 shows that approximately one in eight people live with a mental disorder (WHO, 2022).
While mental health conditions are now more prevalent than ever, the system for mental health care in all countries is still far from perfect. Data by WHO reports that on average, countries around the world dedicate less than 2% of their healthcare budgets to mental health.
To tackle this challenge, people around the world have taken it upon their own to create innovations in the mental health care field for better accessibility in their community.
On October 10 this year, we commemorate the 31st celebration of World Mental Health Day, with the theme “Mental health is a universal human right”. Here are some of the latest innovations in technology for mental health care accessibility around the world.
1. Self-Management App
With the innovation of wearable device technology, many people now depend on these devices to monitor vital signs, such as heart rate and body temperature, and track their physical health conditions.
Currently, there are apps available to help practice mindfulness and meditation exercises, such as UCLA Mindful and Calm. These apps allow you to track your mood and mental health condition over time and help you to stay mindful.
In the near future, there are possibilities for breakthroughs to combine wearable devices with these self-management apps.
A review by Ahmed et al. (2023) shows that there is an emergence of the use of these devices to assist in mental health tracking and treatment, and it is possible that your FitBit can help you monitor your mood and condition such as anxiety in the future.
2. Video Game for Self-Improvement
In 2022, the World Economic Forum initiated the Uplink Youth Mental Health Challenge, a program aimed to identify innovations in the mental health field from young people all across the globe.
One of the innovations selected is SuperBetter, an online social game designed to help people take control and increase their resilience. The game can be customized for players to tackle challenges by chasing “power-ups” or small activities that improve their well-being and fighting off the “bad guys”, which are activities and emotions that negatively impact their well-being.
The effectiveness of this game in helping people with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety in improving their well-being has been proven in studies (Roepke et al., 2015, Chou, Bry & Comer, 2017).
3. Artificial Intelligence Wellness Companion
Throughout the years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been developed to assist us in a variety of our daily activities. One of the ways people are looking to utilize AI is to accompany people who need help for their mental health condition, but with difficulties in reaching out.
One such application listed in World Economic Forum’s Uplink Youth Mental Health Challenge is Vive Teens, an app aimed to be a one-stop mental health resource for teenagers. The AI in this app helps identify what the user needs for their current condition, and shares content and resources that can help them.
4. Social Network for Crisis Intervention
Social support has a significant role in promoting mental well-being and reducing potential harm that comes with social isolation and loneliness (World Health Organization, 2022), which is why a community is essential for mental health care.
The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization aimed to provide counseling and a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ young people. The organization now also runs TrevorSpace, a social networking site for LGBTQ+ youth who are going through difficult times and are in need of a community.
5. Online Counselling and Support
Online platforms are essential in connecting people who have difficulty reaching out to conventional mental health care facilities with the help they need.
For people who have mental health conditions, apps such as Wysa provide AI assistance to identify their current condition and connect them to professional help, such as a coach or therapist.
Another online platform that helps provide people with peer support is HelloReyo. This free-to-use app connects its users with a Reyo, volunteers who are standing by to listen to their stories anonymously. All stories are kept confidential so users have a safe space to work through their issues, providing them with the relief they need.
Reference
Ahmed, A., Aziz, S., Alzubaidi, M., Schneider, J., Irshaidat, S., Serhan, H. A., … & Househ, M. (2023). Wearable devices for Anxiety & Depression: A scoping review. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 100095.
Chou, T., Bry, L. J., & Comer, J. S. (2017). Multimedia field test: Evaluating the creative ambitions of SuperBetter and its quest to gamify mental health. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(1), 115-120.
London, E., & Huber, A. (2022, July 11). 14 tech-based innovations tackle youth mental health challenges. Retrieved from ITU: The UN specialized agency for ICTs: https://www.itu.int/hub/2022/07/innovation-youth-mental-health-challenges-wef-uplink/
Roepke, A. M., Jaffee, S. R., Riffle, O. M., McGonigal, J., Broome, R., & Maxwell, B. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of SuperBetter, a smartphone-based/internet-based self-help tool to reduce depressive symptoms. Games for health journal, 4(3), 235-246.
World Health Organization. (2022). World mental health report: transforming mental health for all.
