Technology has certain usefulness in the field of healthcare. Technologies such as e-medical records software, tele-medicine tools, and patient portals have helped improve the healthcare division by facilitating more effective communication between patients and providers. The internet offers a wealth of information, if searched for the right sources.
What Is Online Mental Health Support?
Online Mental Health support is when you seek help for psychological issues online, i.e. through the internet.
Types of online mental health support include online support groups, online reading material for mental health, chatbot support for mental health, email support, and online therapy.
Online Mental Health Support also refers to online therapy, e-counselling, tele-therapy, or cyber-counselling. It involves providing mental health services and support over the internet. Online therapy can occur through email, text messaging, video conferencing, online chat or internet phone.
How Effective Is Online Mental Health Support?
Seeking mental health support has shown effectiveness in the treatment of several health issues, especially in the rural areas where access to mental health services is already limited.
While technological advancements in the field of mental health received its share of challenges, there were many who supported online mental health treatments. Online therapy may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it has shown its effectiveness to the people who feel uncomfortable attending the traditional face-to-face support groups.
Researches That Support Online Mental Health Support
In a review of studies published in The World Journal of Psychiatry, patients who received mental health treatment through video conferencing reported to have high levels of satisfaction.
A study conducted in 2015 found that internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was as effective as traditional face-to-face CBT in treating anxiety disorder.
Mental health support groups are also very common, and have proven to be effective for helping those experiencing any number of conditions, from alcoholism to depression to obsessive compulsive disorder.
Benefits of Online Mental Health Support
- Easily Accessible: Support through online mode for mental health has been easily accessible to not just the urban community but to the rural communities as well. You can access online mental health support even when you are travelling or are unable to get out of your locality. Support groups can provide help for users who may be unable to make time for in-person meetings.
- Affordable: Online mental health support is fairly affordable and has proven to be quite convenient. For individuals who may have any financial issues, seeking help online may prove to be helpful as there are many websites, or apps available for treatment free of cost or minimum allowance.
- Time Convenient: Since you will be at the comfort of your home, you can schedule your appointment anytime you want without having to disturb your daily routine. Online support is also time convenient because you can access for help anytime of the day. Some online support groups allow their participants to send instant messages or emails at any time they feel they are in need of help.
- Easy In Connecting With Other People: One important benefit of online support groups is to be able to connect with and share your feelings and information with others who might be in a similar situation. You can maintain complete anonymity while connecting with other people. This makes it easier and attractive to those who feel shy otherwise.
- Can Maintain Anonymity: Online support groups are massively helpful when it comes to maintaining anonymity. Here, the participants do not have to disclose their identity if they don’t wish to. It has been seen that men in particular prefer seeking online mental health support as opposed to in-person support.
Conclusion
Seeking help through the internet raises awareness about mental health and removes stigma. It encourages individuals to seek help and challenges myths that online support is not useful. A review of studies conducted in 2017 concluded that online CBT was proven to be more affordable and an effective treatment option for mental health issues.
Although, online therapy has certain limitations, but it is quickly becoming an important resource for growing number of individuals. Convenience and accessibility remain the topmost reason for individuals to seek online support. While, at times you may find that an online chat service may not be able to adhere to all your mental health needs, but it can at least be a start; and to be able to experience the ability to share in an unknown environment can encourage you to seek another one, to seek a more direct, professional counselling service.
