Technology is important and is part of our daily lives. Gadgets such as phones, computers and tablets have become mainstream and are used across all sectors of society regardless of cultures and ages. The gadgets allow us to be connected to the internet and to each other, making any important information available at any time. Health providers in all fields have used technology for years, especially using computers for internal communications and pagers to reach doctors urgently. Nowadays, health providers use electronic medical records and patient portals which creates ready access for patients to contact their doctors and reviewing medical information on demand.
One of the oldest and most readily technologies in mental health care are websites that include information and resources. To reduce stigma and increase access to services, many websites provide connections to groups, lists of mental health providers, network of peers and a 24/7 crisis hotlines and chatrooms for individuals in distress. Websites also provide address specific diagnoses and provide objective information for someone experiencing a mental health concern and for people supporting people with mental health conditions. They provide information about various diagnoses with self-assessments, so if one is concerned about their loved one’s mental health, they can review information and have some piece of information to support them.
Technology is changing mental health care by providing access to clients who feel the need not to see a mental health professional or could benefit from an intervention through the use of chat boxes. Research shows that having an on-demand resource to offer validation and concrete tools to get through difficult moments helps individuals improve their mental health. For clients who may worry about being judged for seeing a mental health expert, they can access tools and support from non-judgmental apps. clients who are not ready to be committed to therapy, can still access support, which will finally encourage them to seek therapy services.