Technology and Therapy: Solving Mental Health Issues During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As technology has developed, mental health treatment has moved online; however, the digital divide has made some of these innovations difficult to access.

While digital technology is a fairly recent innovation, mental health issues—a problem which the internet and long-distance communication have a huge hand in solving—are not. Records of those with mental illness date back to ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Indian writing. Those individuals were categorized as having personal and/or religious problems. Thousands of years later and with greatly increased knowledge of the human mind it was the 20th century where those with mental health issues began to receive proper treatment. Now many are devoting their studies to researching the brain and continuing the trend from the 1900s as mental illness is no longer a hidden problem and is importantly becoming more accepted by society. Now, with the emergence of technology new methods of treatment are becoming possible—if one has access to treatment. This article serves to answer the following questions: What has technology done to help with the mental health treatment process and how can we help those who suffer from mental health issues but do not have access to these innovations?

In 2007, the prescription process for the distribution of pharmaceutical drugs to help treat mental health issues was changed by the Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act (MIPPA). Before its passing, a doctor would have to write a paper prescription for needed medications which would then have to be brought to the pharmacy. This law made electronic prescriptions legal enabling one to receive an email with a prescription for medication. With the passing of this law, those without the means or time to physically go to the doctor for a prescription could receive one with ease, all with the help of the digital world. When the pandemic hit one of the largest aspects of mental health treatment, talk therapy, which consists of face-to-face meetings between a therapist and a patient, had to be altered as well. The COVID-19 virus systematically changed society, and the trips to the doctor’s office integral to talk therapy could no longer continue. Luckily technology again played a substantial role in solving this new conundrum. Communication and meetings moved to apps such as Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype. These platforms not only helped patients access treatment during quarantine but also beyond it, making the entire process of talk therapy accessible from home.

Those without access to the proper technology are disadvantaged in regard to receiving mental health treatment. To attend these talk therapy meetings one has to have access to a computer, a tablet, or a cell phone; just as importantly, they also need access to a strong internet connection. This problem affects roughly a quarter of Americans, as around 75 million US citizens are without a strong internet connection (The Hill) and 13% of people in low-income households have zero pieces of internet-connected technologies at home (Pew Research). As a result, all of these people have no method of receiving treatment through a talk therapist at a time where mental health issues are at an all-time high. In 2020 over 50% of teens and 41% of adults reported having mental health issues such as anxiety and depression - the two illnesses online meetings are best suited to treat.

To answer the second question it is essential to keep doing what we are doing. For example, this gap is something the Biden administration is trying to solve. As of March 2021, they have directed $2.5 billion to help combat different mental illnesses. New York, for example, has taken an active role in solving the lack of mental health treatment access. The state has launched and recently announced the winners of a competition to strengthen mental health access. One of the winners, an organization called Me, Myself & I created a superhero comic book series where the hero has to deal with mental health issues. The book allows children with mental health challenges to identify with a positive image and then learn to break barriers and solve mental health issues alongside them. Furthermore, this work is being done by the private sector as well. Charities have been providing free mental health services on the internet (lists like wheretotalk provide good examples) and companies often provide treatment to employees through initiatives led by corporate social responsibility programs.

As we continue to learn about mental health more and more people are also trying to find ways to help those without direct internet access. That being said, technology is still, at the moment, the best way to receive mental health treatment, and access to key devices and a strong internet connection is pivotal to providing access to talk therapy and other help to those who need it. With time online mental health assistance will only become stronger with investment from both private and public entities but solving the digital divide will still be a prerequisite to the health of our nation. Innovation often leaves those who may be less fortunate behind but it is up to us to make sure improved mental health treatment is accessible to all.