Globally, there is a growing awareness about mental health. However, millions of individuals are still left to fend for themselves due to a lack of mental health specialists and treatment options. This is where Telehealth services come to the rescue.
Although telehealth models have been used since the 1990s, they have recently experienced a tremendous uptick in popularity. With the disruption of COVID-19, many health practitioners realize how important it is to have the ability to give treatments virtually. While this virus recurs, therapists and psychiatrists must be able to continue treating their patients.
Mental Health Is a Global Problem
One in four persons worldwide will experience a mental or neurological disease at some point in their lives.
Around one in five adults in India, report having unmet needs for mental health care. Long-term neglect of mental diseases can be harmful to both the person and society as a whole.
The need for accessible mental health care and substance addiction treatment is overgrowing along with other societal problems like the opioid epidemic, particularly in rural places where these problems are prevalent and access to care can be problematic.
The most prevalent mental health illnesses are anxiety disorders. Recently, anxiety and sadness have cost the global economy one trillion dollars in lost economic output.
How Mental health Professionals Would Benefit From Telehealth Services?
Physical examinations are often not necessary for mental health treatment. This is why telepsychology is an excellent model for mental health providers to embrace because the entire session can be conducted online. Telehealth services are flexible enough to work in conjunction with in-person visits if preferred.
The telehealth model boom will only continue to grow in acceptance. According to a Price Waterhouse-Cooper survey, 72% of participants between the ages of 18 and 44 were open to receiving mental health care virtually rather than in person. This is a significant reason why many mental health professionals are using telemedicine app development services.
Benefits of TeleHealth Services for mental health
1) Reduce the Lack of Mental Health Doctors
We are beginning to realize the significance of mental health on a worldwide scale as mental diseases grow more prevalent. We still do not have enough mental health experts to handle the millions of patients who need care.
For a patient to use telehealth, she simply needs a reliable internet connection and a laptop, computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera. No matter where they are, mental health practitioners can reach their patients, thanks to telehealth’s ease of use.
For instance, mental health expert in an urban setting can help someone in a rural or isolated place who would not typically have access to the treatment.
Telehealth enables mental health experts to offer services in places where their care and resources would not otherwise be available.
2) Increasing Access For Many
As was already established, virtually anyone with an internet connection can use telehealth services. This is a fantastic choice for patients who are housebound, have trouble getting around. It also helps patients when they don’t have access to transportation, have disabilities, or reside in rural locations,
Over 60 percent of Indian households had access to the Internet in 2021. This percentage has only increased since then. Due to the internet’s accessibility, more people can now receive telehealth services.
Telehealth eliminates the need for patients to take time off of work or arrange childcare. This deters many individuals from seeking therapy in the first place. Patients and mental health professionals can “meet” virtually from any location.
3) A welcoming environment for patients
Some patients choose not to receive treatment because they worry about being recognized when attending appointments or waiting in the waiting area. Some patients also have transportation or scheduling challenges, among other issues. This can exacerbate any present mental disorder and is quite unpleasant, distressing, and anxiety-inducing.
Patients are far more likely to seek therapy thanks to telehealth’s comfort and privacy-preserving features. Futurionic also provides healthcare app development services. We develop healthcare apps that provide patients access to medical services anytime, anywhere. Doctors can also use these apps to easily monitor their patients.
4) Communication and monitoring are simple
A telehealth paradigm allows for complete technological monitoring and communication. As a result, it is simple and comfortable for mental health practitioners to stay in constant contact. They can also easily follow up with their patients.
Mental health practitioners can easily assist patients in learning more about mental illness and how to discover additional treatment providers by sending them appointment reminders, coping mechanisms, mental health resources, and information. At the push of a button, all of this is possible.
Patients can also keep track of their symptoms through various applications of telehealth like remote patient sensors and telemedicine apps.
Delays in care are a barrier when it comes to in-person services. However, the virtual environment of telemedicine makes it easy and simple to follow up with patients and give treatment. This decreases delays in patient care.
5) Revolutionize the Medical Industry
Telehealth is a game-changer for mental health providers who wish to expand their patient base and be in high demand. It also enables professionals to continue offer services despite unforeseen catastrophes like COVID-19.
This method of treating mental illness upends the existing healthcare system and introduces much-needed innovation and accessibility. Over the coming years, we can anticipate significant changes in the field of mental health due to the rise and extension of telehealth.