Mental Health Apps: Bridging the Gap in Access to Care

By Katie Brenneman, Writer, Researcher
X: @KatieBWrites93

Mental health has become a more prominent topic of discussion in recent years. People tend to have a greater understanding of how it contributes to their overall wellness and prioritize it in various areas of their lives, from the workplace to social situations. That said, there are still significant disparities in care, with two-thirds of people not getting the treatment they need.

Among the tools that have the potential to bridge this care gap are mental health apps. There’s a growing number of platforms offering different resources. While not all of these are intended to completely replace clinical care, patients are already starting to use them effectively.

Supporting Remote Therapy

Perhaps one of the most significant ways in which mental health apps have been positive in recent years is by providing a forum for remote therapy. As video calling software on mobile devices has improved, alongside better security systems, there are opportunities for more people to get the help they need wherever they are.

Firstly, apps minimize the need for patients to attend a clinic or other facility for their appointments. Certainly, this opens gateways to care for those who may have mobility challenges that make traveling difficult. Those who find the environment of health facilities overwhelming also have alternative options.

Remote therapy provides a great tool for those experiencing acute physical challenges, too. Taking care of mental wellness following an injury is an essential part of recovery. Actions such as mindfulness exercises and journaling help patients to process challenging emotions surrounding an accident. Having remote access to a therapist via an app means they can get the guidance they need in these processes without needlessly experiencing physical discomfort.

In addition to physical challenges, therapy via a mental health app can also help patients overcome financial barriers to care. While more people have medical insurance, not every plan fully covers therapy, particularly if it’s not strictly considered medically necessary. Therapy apps — such as Talkspace and Calmerry, among others — can be more affordable solutions for those on a lower income. Not to mention that they don’t have to pay additional costs involved with transport to in-person appointments.

Providing Diverse Tools

Mental health apps aren’t just improving access by simply reducing the distance between therapists and patients. They’re also instrumental in giving users opportunities to access a diverse range of therapeutic tools. This is invaluable because not every patient or condition is responsive to a single type of therapy. Apps ensure they get the specific help they need.

Some of the most common types of therapy patients seek access to include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT revolves around addressing the cycle of negative thought processes that influence behavioral patterns. This is often used to treat depression and anxiety, among other conditions. Some mental health apps are aimed towards providing or supporting CBT with relevant tools. This includes thought diaries to track links between thinking and behavior, so patients can make informed decisions about where to make adjustments.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT seeks to help patients manage their emotions related to traumatic experiences by gaining a greater understanding and acceptance of them. It’s commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and stress. ACT-related mental health apps can assist in coaching with lessons that guide patients through useful techniques. They can also enable daily tracking of symptoms and actions to give patients clarity on their experiences and their progress.

Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is usually geared toward helping patients overcome fears in their everyday lives. It does this by introducing patients to these fears in a safe environment, weakening their negative connections to these over time, and developing better-coping mechanisms. There have started to emerge mental health apps that utilize virtual reality (VR) to provide exposure therapy. This is effective because patients can access various types of scenarios without leaving the room or arranging costly recreations. That said, this is often best used while under the supervision of a therapist.

Personalizing Care

Data has become one of the most important resources of the digital age. Everything we do on our smartphones and computers tends to leave a footprint about our behavior and preferences. This isn’t just useful for companies that want to connect to consumers. Data has also been a powerful way for mental health apps to provide more personalized care options for patients.

In essence, how the patient utilizes the app can give the software various types of information. It sees how regularly engaged users are with different types of resources and activities, which highlights their preferences. In turn, the app can recommend content of similar types. Apps can also contribute to personalized goal-setting, monitor data on progress, and suggest additions to the routine or elements to discuss with a therapist. In some instances, the app may be linked with smartwatches that track sleep patterns and other vital signs to provide patients with advice about potential symptoms they may be experiencing and when to seek assistance.

This takes online mental health resources a step beyond generalized advice that may not be entirely suited to the needs and preferences of patients. Indeed, this level of personalized attention is not typical of traditional outpatient therapy situations, as the patient has the app with them at all times in a way that a therapist is not. Research has shown that patients self-report that they prefer personalized recommendations offered by apps more than more generic recommendations. As a result, apps may not just give access to personalized care, but also help patients be more engaged with their care.

Conclusion

Mental health apps are offering great ways to address gaps in certain aspects of care. They support some forms of remote therapy and provide therapeutic tools, like mindfulness exercises. That said, these shouldn’t be used to excuse or accept the serious mental health care disparities in this country. Rather, they must be recognized by our society as additional components to more comprehensive treatment, alongside committing to infrastructural changes to ensure access to quality care for all who need it.