{"id":47229,"date":"2020-06-18T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-05-31T16:36:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T23:36:37","slug":"community-support-through-greater-access-to-mental-health-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new-cm-edgedigital.pages.dev\/en-us\/industry\/blog\/healthcare\/2020\/06\/18\/community-support-through-greater-access-to-mental-health-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Community support through greater access to mental health services"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Adult<\/p>\n

Mental health is a relevant topic now more than ever. According to the World Health Organization<\/a> (WHO), one in four people is affected by a mental health condition at some point in their life.<\/p>\n

M<\/span>ental\u00a0<\/span>health\u00a0<\/span>disorders\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.<\/span>\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>one of the most stigmatized and hidden disabilities, and 75<\/span>\u00a0percent<\/span>\u00a0of the people suffering do not seek the help they need. On average, mental health disability costs\u00a0<\/span>more than<\/span>\u00a0$1 trillion every year in lost productivity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the\u00a0<\/span>current\u00a0<\/span>global COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has become an even greater focus for those dealing with isolation, job losses, financial stress, loss of loved ones,\u00a0<\/span>fear,\u00a0<\/span>or the\u00a0<\/span>psychologic<\/span>al toll that comes with physical exhaustion f<\/span>rom being an<\/span>\u00a0essential worker.\u00a0<\/span>Stay-at-home measures\u00a0<\/span>can also put people at risk of\u00a0<\/span>suffering violence and abuse.<\/span>\u00a0An increase in alcohol consumption is another area of concern for mental health experts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Children and the elderly are most at risk for mental health disorders<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and fifty-one percent<\/span>\u00a0of mental illness patients suffer from a chronic physical illness<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>According to WHO, a<\/span>lmost all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress,\u00a0<\/span>but that it<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>tends<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0improve over time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasing\u00a0demand for mental health services<\/h2>\n

While the impact of COVID-19 on mental health looks different for every person, it\u2019s fair to speculate that there may be\u00a0<\/span>a significant<\/span>ly<\/span>\u00a0increased need for mental health services that are already in high demand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>To tackle the challenge, Microsoft has several programs underway to support individuals and health care systems on their mental health journeys.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Technology to support\u00a0mental health\u00a0treatment<\/h2>\n

I<\/span>n-person clinical treatments are often\u00a0<\/span>inconvenient for the patient,\u00a0<\/span>not scalable<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>expensive for clinical organizations<\/span>. And with government restrictions in some areas for social distancing, in-person visits may not be possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Using t<\/span>echnology<\/span>, someone seeking help with<\/span>\u00a0mental health<\/span>\u00a0can use<\/span>\u00a0a variety of digital<\/span>\u00a0resources\u00a0<\/span>such as habit tracking or cognitive remediation apps, online peer support groups, phone helplines, app-based chats with mental health professionals<\/span>, and more<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Access to digital psychotherapy programs, such as internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT)<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0will be vital to support patients from the\u00a0<\/span>privacy and\u00a0<\/span>safety of their homes.<\/span>\u00a0Digital delivery of mental health treatment options can remove barriers and increase access to care.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Artificial intelligence\u00a0can\u00a0improve mental health services<\/h2>\n

Microsoft\u00a0<\/span>is working<\/span>\u00a0to reduce the gap between people who\u00a0<\/span>have<\/span>\u00a0mental illness<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and the tools and interventions that can help them. Technology-enhanced mental health and well-being interventions can increase engagement in activities that promote well-being and self-efficacy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the projects underway at Microsoft to improve mental health resources.<\/p>\n