Mental illness is expected to afflict one in every four individuals. It is concerning that almost two-thirds of those suffering from mental illness choose not to seek assistance. These causes include a lack of awareness, stigma, and fear of discrimination. Delaying treatment and failing to intervene in time could be factored into the rising numbers.
The COVID-19 dilemma has multiple functional implications, including those on the emotional, economic, physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Although anxiety and fear should be accepted as normal throughout this period, it is nonetheless important to comprehend how these emotions can be heightened by uncertainty, social isolation, and economic hardship.
One major worry is that the current pandemic’s exacerbations and restricted access to care could exacerbate psychiatric problems. Quarantine might also entail giving up your freedom, being separated from loved ones, and not knowing your health state. According to numerous studies, people who are placed in social isolation or quarantine for various reasons may experience significant, all-encompassing, and long-lasting psychological effects.
The lack of professionals is one of the major problems with mental health care. According to estimates, there is just one psychiatrist for every 100,000 people in many nations. Although it presents significant difficulties for low-income groups, this is an issue that affects all those who require assistance.
Telehealth and mental health issues
The provision of psychological and mental health treatments through telecommunication technologies is known as telehealth. It has been called “the next big frontier in the efficient and effective provision of health care.
Long-distance clinical care, education, and health administration can all be supported via telemedicine. Without going to a hospital, patients who are seeking treatment for depression and anxiety may receive assistance. Therapy for psychological stabilisation could be given without the conventional in-person doctor appointment.
Additionally, telemedicine can lessen the loss of follow-up in psychiatric patients, and by lowering the frequency of visits to the clinic for medication and routine consultations among the elderly population with mental illnesses, telemedicine may also lessen the incidence of secondary or tertiary diseases.
Advantages
Telehealth services for psychiatry and counselling are a relatively new practice. Even if psychiatric evaluation might be difficult, especially with new patients, telepsychiatry or telemedicine in general aims to solve the problem of care accessibility.
- Connects people with mental health concerns living in rural locations with experts in urban places
- Enables individuals who are elderly or have physical limitations to speak with a mental health therapist
- It improves follow-up with psychiatrists because it doesn’t need travel and reduces reliance on clinics to have enough beds to admit patients for treatment. It is more economical for the same reason.
- Due to ongoing and frequent monitoring, treatment and drug adherence are improved.
- When patients are in familiar or comfortable surroundings, they are more inclined to open up to their caretakers (like their homes)
- Limited infrastructure needs. All you need is a webcam on a monitor or a laptop, a microphone, and a strong internet connection.
- Enables the patient’s healthcare team (providers, home health aides, and doctors) to participate in a single conversation
- Permits patients to visit with a psychiatrist in confidence without worrying about stigma or discrimination
- Effectively solves the need for more psychiatrists by allowing consultations to take place regardless of distance
Issues with the method
Despite the many advantages, telemedicine’s full potential has yet to be discovered. There have been difficulties in implementing this new method of patient-doctor contact. Both service providers and patient consumers must adjust their cultural and behavioural attitudes. It should be viewed as a way to get trustworthy, affordable, and accessible mental health care by psychiatrists and therapists.