DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY USE IN MENTAL HEALTH: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

This study analysed the digital technologies in mental healthcare along with the challenges and opportunities. A total of 15 papers were selected using the topic itself as the search term. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram guideline was used in the selection process. Search terms were keyed in Google Scholar and PubMed as search engines. Of the 20 published articles reviewed, only 15 studies were used in this review. Online and mobile applications have been very useful in this regard, especially during the COVID-19 period. Greater focus with adequate support is necessary for intellectually disabled, socio-economically backward and refugee mental patients, as they face many barriers in accessing quality mental healthcare. Ethical, legal and regulatory aspects are important in all these respects. Future research may focus more on applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods as digital technologies for mental healthcare.