Leveraging Digital Tools for Mental Health Care

Mental health issues are an ever-growing concern in the United States. They affected a staggering 57.8 million adults in 2021, yet only about 47.2% of these received the necessary care.¹ This stark gap between those in need and those receiving help underscores the urgency of improving mental health treatment accessibility. As primary care providers, you play a pivotal role in the healthcare system and are often the first point of contact for patients. Are you talking to your patients about mental health issues?

To put a face to the statistics, let’s consider Sarah, a 32-year-old who routinely visits your clinic for checkups and minor ailments. Over time, you have noticed Sarah becoming withdrawn and less communicative, and her physical symptoms—headaches, fatigue, and unexplained aches—persist, despite your interventions. In conversation, she finally opens up about her persistent feelings of sadness, difficulty sleeping, and constant racing of thoughts. It’s clear to you that Sarah is experiencing significant mental health challenges, but she’s hesitant to seek specialized help, expressing concerns about stigma and the practicality of accessing care.

Sarah’s situation is not unique. Many patients like her encounter barriers when attempting to access the care they require. These potentially include: 

• A shortage of mental health care providers, compounded by an uneven geographic distribution that may require long drives to access care^2,3
• Prolonged waiting periods for appointments, influenced by provider capacity and the limited time available for discussing concerns^2,3
• Stigma surrounding mental health, which discourages many from seeking help and sharing their struggles openly²

There is a pressing need for enhanced accessibility of mental health treatment, and digital tools may change the way you provide support. Considering Sarah’s situation, you could leverage digital tools to help bridge the gap between her needs and the care she deserves.

Digital solutions for mental health encompass a wide spectrum of tools including: 

• Health and wellness apps that promote healthy living⁴ (e.g., apps for meditation, sleep sounds, and medication reminders)
• Patient monitoring and assessment tools that track specific health metrics⁴ (e.g., mood diaries, sleep trackers, and data-transmitting sensors)
• Digital therapeutics that deliver software-based interventions to treat, manage, or prevent a disease⁴ (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorder, sleep disturbance device for nightmare disorder, and game-based treatment for ADHD) 

While these tools all have their place in supporting mental health, digital therapeutics offer an evidence-based approach to addressing treatment. Some digital therapeutics undergo FDA authorization to ensure they meet standards of efficacy and safety.⁴ Understanding the distinctions between these digital tools may help you make informed recommendations to your patients.

Evaluating available evidence to identify suitable patients for digital tools may help with their integration in clinical practice. Practicing shared decision-making on treatment plans, setting up follow-up schedules, and gathering app preference feedback may maximize the effectiveness of these tools in patient care.⁵  

Watch PsychU’s webinar “Defining, Clarifying, and Implementing Digital Health Tools For Mental Health” to hear Jake Behrens, MD, MA, and Margaret Emerson, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, share their expertise in the utilization of digital tools in clinical practice.

^©2023 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. All rights reserved. October 2023 US.CORP.X.23.00378