Can Technology Tackle the Lack of Therapists?
To address the overwhelming need for mental health services in the UK, we need trained therapists available to deliver appropriate care at the right time. The trouble is, we’re facing a shortage. One way to treat the gap is through the innovative use of technology.
Understanding Components of Therapeutic Alliance and Well-Being from Use of a Global Digital Mental Health Benefit During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study
Summary: Digital mental health services leverage technology to increase access to care, yet less is known about the quality of therapeutic relationships in a virtual setting. This study examined components of therapeutic alliance (a mechanism underlying successful treatment) and its association with beneficial treatment outcomes in a real-world, virtual setting. The objective is to […]
ReachOut Launch PeerChat Peer Support Service
ReachOut’s research told them that young people experiencing mental health difficulties are looking for ‘always on’, non-clinical channels that deliver immediate relief in a safe, non-judgemental and stigma-free online space. ReachOut PeerChat is the latest example of this shift. PeerChat is an evidence-based, one-to-one digital peer support service for young people across Australia.
WHO and Partners Launch World’s Most Extensive Freely Accessible AI Health Worker
The World Health Organization, with support from the Qatar Ministry of Health, recently launched the AI-powered WHO Digital Health Worker, Florence version 2.0, offering an innovative and interactive platform to share a myriad of health topics in seven languages at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) in Qatar.
How the Responsible Use of AI can Create Safer Online Spaces
AI algorithms have massive implications for human life and the wider society. Ethical dilemmas surrounding AI include digital disparities and its weaponization. Autonomy should be balanced with human oversight while the responsible use of AI should be elevated, so it can be leveraged to tackle discrimination.
Automated Virtual Reality Therapy to Treat Agoraphobic Avoidance and Distress in Patients with Psychosis (gameChange)
Automated delivery of psychological therapy using immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) might greatly increase the availability of effective help for patients. This article aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an automated VR cognitive therapy (gameChange) to treat avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis, and to analyse how and in whom it might work.
Future of Mental Health in the Metaverse
The metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) were some of the hottest tech terms in 2021, according to a Google Trends search. This review aims to describe the metaverse and NFTs in the context of their potential application in the treatment of mental health disorders.
New Digital Health Assessment Framework Launches in the US
The Organization for the Review of Care and Health Applications (ORCHA), today announce its involvement with a new U.S. framework for assessing digital health technologies, including mobile apps and web-based tools used by healthcare providers and consumers.
New Digital Service Launches to Help Bridge Gaps in Fragmented Mental Health System
Developed and delivered by leading complex mental health organisation SANE, this new service provides guided support for people with issues like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or OCD. The service is also built for the autistic community and those with intellectual disability seeking mental health support.
Developing the Workforce of the Digital Future: Leveraging Technology to Train Community‑Based Mobile Mental Health Specialists
There is a need for generalizable strategies to rapidly train real-world providers at scale to support the adoption of digital health. This study describes the development of principles guiding rapid training of community-based clinicians in the support of digital health.
