Ways to eliminate the development of mental illness

Mental health is best understood as a spectrum that ranges from healthy to unwell. Depending on factors both genetic and environmental, we may often find ourselves moving up and down this spectrum throughout our lives. However, the trends in mental health are alarming as evidenced by various population studies. The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing reported that the prevalence of mental health problems has generally increased over the past few decades, especially among younger age groups in Australia. According to the Black Dog Institute, a leading Australian mental health research organisation, 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.

It may come as a surprise to some that the tools required to improve our mental wellness are often at the tip of our fingers. Mental health apps are one such cost-effective and accessible tool. Various meta-analyses have found that mental health apps were effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The review also reported that apps that included features such as goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback were particularly effective. The same holds true for AI-based interventions as well. Aside from being useful in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, some studies have reported that these interventions were as effective as face-to-face therapy in certain aspects.

This begs the question, how do these mental health apps manage to achieve this feat? To prevent the development of mental illness, the apps facilitate and promote:

Early detection

It is well-established via past and ongoing research that early identification of mental illnesses can lead to better health outcomes. Some early warning signs of mental illness include changes in mood, behavior, and cognition. Quite a few apps in the digital mental health space come equipped with screening tools for potential symptoms of mental illnesses. This allows individuals to seek appropriate treatment before their condition worsens and teaches them coping mechanisms and strategies to manage their symptoms.

Self-care

When struggling with our mental well-being, we tend to become our own harshest critic. In these moments, little acts of kindness towards ourselves can go a long way in softening the struggle. If building a self-care routine sounds like a challenge, you can try a mental health app that offers self-care tools such as relaxation and mindfulness techniques, as well as exercises to help you stay consistent with using them and help build healthy habits.

Building connections

A strong risk factor for mental illness is the lack of social support. A systematic review discovered strong support for the idea that depressed individuals who view their social support as being inadequate have worse outcomes in terms of their symptoms, recovery, and social functioning. Some apps connect users to virtual support groups where they can interact with others who may be experiencing similar issues. This can be invaluable in building a sense of community and belongingness, and thereby hinder the development of mental illness.

Therapy

Access to therapeutic interventions can stall the development of mental illnesses and pave the road to recovery. However, access to therapy can be a hurdle for many individuals. Factors such as cost, location, availability, and personal circumstances can make it challenging for people to avail therapy and other mental health services. In recent times, however, mental health apps act as a bridge between licensed therapists and those struggling with their mental health. While some platforms act as mediators to connect therapists and clients, others like the mental health app Wysa have emotional well-being professionals on board that you can consult through a subscription.

Conclusion

As the world faces challenges like pandemics, financial crises and other stressors, it is essential that we build the mental resilience to overcome them without succumbing to their pressures. Nurturing this resilience comes from a combination of efforts that are personal (self-care) and interpersonal (social support and therapy). Fortunately, we also live in a world where technology has taken the forefront in facilitating and making it convenient for everyone to access the help we need.