How Technology Works in Mental Health Care
How Technology has Evolved in Mental Health Care
There’s no doubt that there are more technological approaches to mental health care than there ever used to be. As technology has increased in every other area, so has technology in mental health care. On a private and individual basis at least, there are now more options than ever for supporting our mental health, with smartphone apps and online conferencing software such as Zoom and Teams keeping us in touch with professionals. However, this technology is not always utilised to its best advantage in the NHS, according to the University of Sheffield’s Dr Jaime Delgadillo “the NHS (is) a highly regulated and risk-averse environment. It is notoriously difficult to bring new technology into the public health sector.” In addition, he states that “Some practitioners do not trust and are averse to using technologies.” If you’re struggling to use technology at home – perhaps to access mental health services, our amazing carers can help you understand it all and be less disconnected from the world around you.

Types of Technology Used in Mental Health Care
Mental health services have evolved over the years, meaning that the way professionals and clients can approach support has changed. Previously, the only options for support were face-to-face or over the phone, whereas now there are many other methods that can be utilised. These include:
Apps
Apps that support mental well-being are everywhere now and can be used as an addition or alternative to therapy, in some cases. Popular apps such as Headspace or Calm can be a pocket support tool that means you’ve always got some motivating words at your fingertips. Many of these apps are also free to download and will have free-to-access content.
Virtual Counselling
Sometimes called ‘telehealth,’ mental health practitioners can use online platforms such as live video, audio, or instant messaging. Many people now prefer online counselling sessions due to the flexibility they offer and the ability to remain at home to do them and the fact that they cut down on travel and the anxiety that can cause.
Wearable Technology
Wearable devices can give the person, their therapist, and other healthcare practitioners data on the patient in between appointments. This can include sleep data, blood sugar levels, and the patient’s nervous system, for instance. This can be more effective than just asking how the patient feels and the risk of missing vital details.
Online Support
Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being utilised to support clients’ mental health, according to Palo Alto University. “This digital therapy is especially helpful when patients need support during non-working hours. For example, a chatbot can provide a therapy session at 2 a.m. when the client needs it most.”
Benefits of Technology in Mental Health Care
According to the University of Sheffield, “only one in eight adults with a mental health problem receive treatment.” This has become more pronounced since funding restrictions took hold and the pandemic stretched resources even further. The London School of Economics (LSE), states that “mental health problems cost the UK economy an estimated £118 billion a year.” 72% of this is due to lost productivity and the costs incurred by unpaid carers. Informal carers play a huge role in providing support for people living with mental health conditions in communities.
Technology can make it easier for practitioners to provide mental health support by utilising digital trends such as mobile apps, wearable technology, AI and VR. The widespread availability of such technology also means that it is more easily accessible for the patient too, as sometimes all that’s needed is a smartphone that has internet connectivity.

The Future of Technology in Mental Health Care
Mental health conditions contribute a huge amount to the global burden of disease. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that “Many mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively low cost, yet health systems remain significantly under-resourced and treatment gaps are wide all over the world.” This presents an opportunity to further utilise digital technologies to ensure that all people who need therapies can access them online, if not in person. Digital Therapeutics (DTx) are devices utilised for the prevention, treatment, or follow-up of people living with mental health difficulties. As DTx technology becomes more widespread in mental health care delivery, it can be integrated into more traditional forms of treatment, such as medication and talking therapies.
Get Help From Our Expert Team
Understanding how Helping Hands can support you with your mental health is the key to having home care that will benefit your life. Our compassionate carers can support you to make the most of every day, whether you prefer to stay at home or would like to get out and about in your local community. Because we’ve been supporting people with their mental health since we were established in 1989, we’re one of the UK’s longest-established home care companies. We’re also widely trusted by our customers and their loved ones because we’re accessible and easy to talk to. We have a reputation for openness and consistency because we own and manage all of our 150 branches ourselves. We don’t sell franchises as we feel this can affect the quality of service and the ability to retain consistently high levels of care, and because we’re established across England and Wales you’ll find one of our branches near you, all fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales.
