Healing Bytes

The Advantages and Challenges of Technology in Mental Health

In today’s modern world, the advancement of technology has drastically ameliorated and revolutionized mental health care. The realm of technology offers benefits to individuals seeking mental health care, researchers trying to advance their knowledge and experts delivering their care. It enables people to connect online and receive the support and guidance they desperately need. 

 

The accessibility of mental health services has been increased as a result of ever-growing technology. Through digital devices, individuals can gain access to various applications and websites which would accelerate their journey to achieve good mental health. Especially when therapists are too expensive, these affordable sites and apps provide invaluable assistance to individuals who require it. Healthy Minds program app is a prime example of the above. Completely free of cost, it is said to be effortless and enjoyable to utilize. 

 

In addition to these websites, technology also facilitates traditional therapy sessions via online conferences. These help overcome barriers of transport and conflicting schedules by providing a convenient and time-sensitive way for both therapist and patient to connect online. An additional benefit of the same is the patient’s comfort of being in their own home whilst being vulnerable and opening up to a licensed therapist. Applications such as Zoom serve as excellent platforms for teletherapy, also overcoming the stigma associated with mental health issues by enabling patients to be more discreet about their mental health issues whilst getting apt treatment. 

 

Apart from the above, digital mental health tools are in abundance in these modern times, proving to be essential assets in the mental health care field in the form of devices and applications. These aid in monitoring aspects of mental health, allowing individuals to identify the issue early on and tackle it. Mood tracking and meditation applications like Moodfit and MoodTools help people observe and keep track of their mood in order to pre-empt a downslide in their mental health. Devices like smartwatches monitor aspects such as your sleep patterns and physical activity to identify physiological indicators of stress and anxiety. Clinicians use virtual reality in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to empower clients by allowing them to apply learned social skills into a seemingly real environment, allowing them to attain more confidence in facing such situations.  

 

However, every coin has two sides and technology can assume a pivotal role in the decline of mental health. Firstly, the deceptive nature of social media adds to the poor mental health conditions of susceptible individuals. Scrolling through endless posts of people living lavish lifestyles with expensive meals, vehicles and clothes sparks low self-esteem in people. Seeing how people with well-shaped bodies wear certain clothes and portray themselves in a certain way can cause many to see themselves in a poor light – not realizing that pictures can be easily edited to produce an exaggerated result. People are automatically envious and lose self-confidence, a major setback to their mental health. 

 

Aside from this, inaccurate information found online from non-experts can further damage one’s mental health as opposed to the benefits from following advice given by experts. Teletherapy may not be as effective when conducted online. Physical face-to-face interaction establishes a sense of trust and unspoken agreements, which are not as easily attainable via online sessions. In addition to the above, technology can prove to be a distraction, especially in younger generations in today’s contemporary times. This can lead to poor sleeping patterns and intensified stress which can evoke poor mental health conditions.  

 

This blog contrasts a few of the numerous positive and negative effects of technology in the field of mental health. While technology is often considered a great asset, it is important to reflect upon and consider its harmful nature as well. While many experts have differing opinions, it is safe to assume that technology is a bane as well as a boon in the broad field of mental health.