Digital interventions in mental health: challenges and perspectives

Abstract

The high prevalence, burden and social impact of mental disorders, the lack of mental health care professionals and services around the world, the improvement and dissemination of digital technologies are the factors that have provided increased attention to the process of digital transformation in mental health care recently. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of remote interaction between different participants in the therapeutic process. Digital technologies in mental health care can bring significant advances in both clinical and scientific psychiatry. The article presents the most promising digital solutions for the diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and prevention of mental disorders. The technologies by which they are implemented are described, including computer programs, virtual and augmented reality, internet resources. The advantages and disadvantages of digital technologies usage in psychiatric practice are analyzed. The article described the main barriers that stand in the way of digital transformation in mental health, including insufficient scientific and practical support of the developed digital products, the lack of methodological foundations, the regulatory framework, and legislation.