(Source: https://thejournalofmhealth.com/) With 1.54 million people being in contact with mental health services by the end of January 2022, health services need to embrace digital services and health tech to cater to as many people as possible. In 2020, the UK Government committed to a programme that would digitalise mental health service providers by 2024.
Here, we explore the advantages of a digital health system and how this will influence mental health care.
Focus on areas where needs are yet to be met
A key area of improvement is in support for younger sufferers of mental health problems. While the average funding for an adult is £225, the funding per child is as little as £14–£191. Between April and June last year, 190,271 people between 0–18 years old were referred to children and young people’s mental health services, which was a 134% increase from the year prior. With this demand comes long waiting lists, with the average waiting time for this group to access the services ranging from 8 days up to 82 days.
However, these issues aren’t just limited to young people. In general, 18 weeks is the maximum wait time for consultant-led mental health services, but the clock is ticking. All cases differ, with some being more extreme than others, so waiting for an appointment can’t be considered a solution.
Thankfully, mental health tech exists to assist those who are facing long waiting lists. For example. the NHS prescription delivery service can help those who find it difficult to leave their home. As well as this, it can be useful for ongoing medication, booking an appointment to seek medical advice, and video consultations for those who can’t be physically present at an appointment.
Read the full article on https://thejournalofmhealth.com/the-rise-of-health-tech-and-how-it-is-improving-mental-health/
