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Digital Mental Health refers to the use of information and communication technology in delivering mental health services via software, medical grade wearable devices, smartphones; all of the above in an immersive solution. Since this new age technology is delivered via the internet and cloud based services – it offers the possibility of expanding the reach and accessibility of current mental health care.

Globally, mental health concerns are both common and undertreated. In the United States, fewer than half of individuals in need of mental health treatment receive care.

The WHO estimates that around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition, a rate that is almost double compared to the general population.¹

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic the digital mental health field was growing rapidly, but the onset of this epidemic caused stress and anxiety. The cocktail of which created a havoc with several other comorbidities, thereby wrecking the global healthcare system infrastructure. It is due to the nature of social distancing, prevalence of mental health disorders that there has been a rising incidence and need for digitalization in the medical industry.²
According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), “Digital Mental Health Market” size is projected to be worth USD 69.44 billion by 2030 at 20.3% CAGR during the forecast period 2022 – 2030.

According to the Digital Therapeutics Alliance, there are three main product categories for digital health therapeutics: (1) products to treat a disease, (2) to manage a condition, and (3) to improve a health function. They must also deliver a therapeutic intervention and use clinical endpoints to support product claims.

Here are some benefits of modern Digital Health:
Prevention before treatment: As they saying goes “a stitch in time saves nine”, digital health technologies help patients self-manage and routinely track their health journey. Cutting edge AI technology helps with early detection of significant changes to disease progression in a patient and alerts them well before time.
Establishes an unprecedented relationship: Intuitive digital health systems engage patients with their health care provider in a dynamic way that has never been seen before. Thereby including and staying connected with each other at all times.
Personalized care and expanded reach: Digital health goes beyond the clinic walls and enables the user to be a part of the unique, interactive process while adapting to changes in real time.
Sustainable healthcare solution: Longer life expectancies lead to increasing number of people living with chronic diseases and the rising costs of healthcare in return. This puts unnecessary burden on the existing on healthcare systems around the world. Digital health has proven to pave the way during the pandemic and continues to do so through its often seamless and contactless approach.

AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms have led to unprecedented breakthroughs in prediction. Utilizing facial recognition, physiological snsors and speech to better tend to target patients. Such digital tools are giving providers a more holistic view of patient health through access to data and giving patients more control over their health. Digital health offers real opportunities to improve medical outcomes and enhance efficiency

Digital mental health technologies make mental-health help more accessible and affordable; they lessen the exposure to discrimination and lower the threshold for starting to cope with mental health difficulties. While providing cutting edge data-driven feedback and health insights.

Interesting fact: World Economic Forum has partnered with Deloitte to create a set of standards to evaluate digital mental health solutions. This is one of the first guidelines for Digital Mental health. Click here to read it – https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Governance_Toolkit_for_Digital_Mental_Health_2021.pdf