The medical field of mental health has already grown in leaps and bounds in the last decade. We’ve seen an increase in resources become readily available. We’ve also seen individuals take charge of their health and well-being by seeking help after experiencing mental health challenges. However, there’s every reason to believe that the 2020s will result in some of the most drastic changes yet. Here are just a few of the many we’ve seen so far:
Online Therapy
Therapy and counseling haven’t always been easily accessible. Not everyone lives near a therapist’s office or has transportation to get to one. Online therapy has been a game-changer in that respect. You can now type your health insurance provider and the word ‘therapy’ into a search engine, such as Aetna therapy, and find a telehealth therapy provider to support you on your mental health journey. Best of all, you don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home. A trusted, trained, and qualified provider can meet with you on a video call to provide the support and tools you need.
Online Clinical Assessment Tools
In the past, seeing a healthcare provider was the only confirmed way to determine whether you could benefit from mental health treatment. Reliable online tools and tech were limited, so you had to visit your doctor for an assessment.
While visiting a healthcare provider for a diagnosis is still crucial, it doesn’t have to be the first action you take. You can now access reliable clinical assessment tools online. This is all thanks to the non-profit organization Helping Give Away Psychological Science. You can take free assessments on the organization’s website and deliver the results to our healthcare provider. You can then be connected to helpful resources.
Virtual Reality (VR) Treatment
Virtual reality (VR) is a 3D environment we can explore with specialized VR headsets. Most people purchase these headsets to play dedicated VR games and even attend concerts. However, it has now entered the world of mental health treatment.
People living with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges may be able to use VR to navigate situations they struggle with. For example, someone with autism might use VR to practice being in stressful social situations. Someone living with ADHD might practice focusing on one task for an extended period in a distracting environment.
Digital Symptom Tracking
Most people know how important symptom tracking can be for managing mental health challenges. However, it has been a typically time-consuming activity. That has changed for mental health service providers offering digital symptom tracking.
Rather than requiring their patients to fill out paper forms that they upload into a health record system, patients can share data online directly. With AI, mental health specialists can identify patterns and detect warning signs in real time.
While the mental health field still has its flaws, it’s by no means lagging behind. There have been many technological advancements, like those above, helping people receive the help and support they need to enjoy better health and well-being.