scholarly journals Mobile Mental Health Apps in China: Systematic App Store Search (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifang Yin ◽  
Klaas J Wardenaar ◽  
Yuhao Wang ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Wenjin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Main Technique ◽  
Stress Relieving ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

BACKGROUND Smartphones have become ubiquitous in China, offering a promising way to deliver mental health interventions; however, little is known about the current use and characteristics of smartphone apps for mental health. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to gain insight into mobile mental health apps available in China as of December 2018. METHODS A systematic search was conducted to identify and evaluate the most downloaded apps from iOS and Android platforms. Apps were categorized according to their main purpose and downloaded to evaluate their content. Each app’s affiliation, cost, target users, information security, and evidence-based nature were evaluated. RESULTS Of the 172 unique apps that were identified, there were 37 apps (21.5%) for psychological counseling, 50 apps (29.1%) for assessment, 12 apps (7.0%) to relieve stress, 24 apps (14.0%) for psychoeducation, and 49 (28.4%) multipurpose apps (ie, a combination of counseling and assessment). Most apps were developed for adults in the general population (166/172, 96.5%), rather than for psychiatric patients. App-based counseling was mostly provided by psychologists, and of the assessed apps, only 40% (70/172) used evidence-based scales to assess mental health problems such as anxiety or depressed mood. Guided meditation was used as the main technique in stress-relieving apps. CONCLUSIONS Many apps contained useful and evidence-based elements, such as good quality information, validated measurements, and useful meditation methods; however, for mobile apps to contribute significantly to mental health care in China, considerable challenges remain, including the need for more patient-focused apps that can actually take on the role of a health care provider. In addition, efficacy studies are needed.

scholarly journals Mobile Mental Health Apps in China: Systematic App Store Search

10.2196/14915 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e14915
Author(s):  
Huifang Yin ◽  
Klaas J Wardenaar ◽  
Yuhao Wang ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Wenjin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Main Technique ◽  
Stress Relieving ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

Background Smartphones have become ubiquitous in China, offering a promising way to deliver mental health interventions; however, little is known about the current use and characteristics of smartphone apps for mental health. Objective The purpose of this study was to gain insight into mobile mental health apps available in China as of December 2018. Methods A systematic search was conducted to identify and evaluate the most downloaded apps from iOS and Android platforms. Apps were categorized according to their main purpose and downloaded to evaluate their content. Each app’s affiliation, cost, target users, information security, and evidence-based nature were evaluated. Results Of the 172 unique apps that were identified, there were 37 apps (21.5%) for psychological counseling, 50 apps (29.1%) for assessment, 12 apps (7.0%) to relieve stress, 24 apps (14.0%) for psychoeducation, and 49 (28.4%) multipurpose apps (ie, a combination of counseling and assessment). Most apps were developed for adults in the general population (166/172, 96.5%), rather than for psychiatric patients. App-based counseling was mostly provided by psychologists, and of the assessed apps, only 40% (70/172) used evidence-based scales to assess mental health problems such as anxiety or depressed mood. Guided meditation was used as the main technique in stress-relieving apps. Conclusions Many apps contained useful and evidence-based elements, such as good quality information, validated measurements, and useful meditation methods; however, for mobile apps to contribute significantly to mental health care in China, considerable challenges remain, including the need for more patient-focused apps that can actually take on the role of a health care provider. In addition, efficacy studies are needed.

scholarly journals Mental Health Apps in Psychiatric Treatment: A Patient Perspective on Real World Technology Usage (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Chiauzzi ◽  
Amy Newell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Patient Perspective ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

UNSTRUCTURED For many people who use mobile apps, the primary motivations are entertainment, news, gaming, social connections, or productivity. For those experiencing health problems, particularly those with chronic conditions such as psychiatric disorders, the stakes are much higher. The digital tools that they select may be the difference between improvement and decompensation or even life and death. Although there has been a wide expansion of mental health apps with promise as well as hype, the current means of researching, evaluating, and deploying effective tools have been problematic. As a means of gaining a perspective that moves beyond usability testing, surveys, and app ratings, the primary objective of this patient perspective is to question the killer app and condition-specific mentality of current mental health app development. We do this by reviewing the current mobile mental health app literature, identifying ways in which psychiatric patients use apps in their lives, and then exploring how these issues are experienced by a software engineer who has struggled with her bipolar disorder for many years. Her lived experience combined with a technology perspective offers potential avenues for using technology productively in psychiatric treatment. We believe that this responds to JMIR Publications’ call for patient perspective papers and provides encouragement for patients to share their views on mental health and technology.

scholarly journals Mental Health Apps in Psychiatric Treatment: A Patient Perspective on Real World Technology Usage

10.2196/12292 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. e12292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Chiauzzi ◽  
Amy Newell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Patient Perspective ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

For many people who use mobile apps, the primary motivations are entertainment, news, gaming, social connections, or productivity. For those experiencing health problems, particularly those with chronic conditions such as psychiatric disorders, the stakes are much higher. The digital tools that they select may be the difference between improvement and decompensation or even life and death. Although there has been a wide expansion of mental health apps with promise as well as hype, the current means of researching, evaluating, and deploying effective tools have been problematic. As a means of gaining a perspective that moves beyond usability testing, surveys, and app ratings, the primary objective of this patient perspective is to question the killer app and condition-specific mentality of current mental health app development. We do this by reviewing the current mobile mental health app literature, identifying ways in which psychiatric patients use apps in their lives, and then exploring how these issues are experienced by a software engineer who has struggled with her bipolar disorder for many years. Her lived experience combined with a technology perspective offers potential avenues for using technology productively in psychiatric treatment. We believe that this responds to JMIR Publications’ call for patient perspective papers and provides encouragement for patients to share their views on mental health and technology.

scholarly journals Principles of mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Rojnic Kuzman ◽  
Marko Curkovic ◽  
Danuta Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Provision Of Services ◽  
Health Disorders

Abstract We describe the basic principles of mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic that should be endorsed by the mental health professional associations and incorporated in the health strategies for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main principle is that there should be no substantial differences in the provision of health care for COVID-19 between persons with pre-existing mental health disorders and the ones without previous disorders. Subsequently, the organization of the health care should reflect that as well. These principles should (a) prevent the possible effects of stigmatizing attitudes toward mental health issues, possibly leading to potentially deleterious situations, such as psychiatric patients being treated (even temporarily) separately from other patients, in psychiatric facilities, where the staff is not equipped and trained adequately for the management of COVID-19; (b) highlight the fact that patients with mental health disorders are at greater risk for developing serious complications of COVID-19 infection due to other factors—they often smoke and have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, all associated with higher morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection; (c) highlight that measures should be taken to minimize the risk of the spread of infection in psychiatric wards/institutions; (d) provide a general framework for the reorganization of mental health services toward the provision of services for persons in need, including frontline medical workers and patients with COVID-19 without previous mental health problems as well as for persons with pre-existing mental health problems under new circumstances of pandemic.

scholarly journals Digital health developments and drawbacks: a review and analysis of top-returned apps for bipolar disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lagan ◽  
Abinaya Ramakrishnan ◽  
Evan Lamont ◽  
Aparna Ramakrishnan ◽  
Mark Frye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mood Management ◽  
Health Apps

Abstract Background Although a growing body of literature highlights the potential benefit of smartphone-based mobile apps to aid in self-management and treatment of bipolar disorder, it is unclear whether such evidence-based apps are readily available and accessible to a user of the app store. Results Using our systematic framework for the evaluation of mental health apps, we analyzed the accessibility, privacy, clinical foundation, features, and interoperability of the top-returned 100 apps for bipolar disorder. Only 56% of the apps mentioned bipolar disorder specifically in their title, description, or content. Only one app’s efficacy was supported in a peer-reviewed study, and 32 apps lacked privacy policies. The most common features provided were mood tracking, journaling, and psychoeducation. Conclusions Our analysis reveals substantial limitations in the current digital environment for individuals seeking an evidence-based, clinically usable app for bipolar disorder. Although there have been academic advances in development of digital interventions for bipolar disorder, this work has yet to be translated to the publicly available app marketplace. This unmet need of digital mood management underscores the need for a comprehensive evaluation system of mental health apps, which we have endeavored to provide through our framework and accompanying database (apps.digitalpsych.org).

scholarly journals Workshop: Addressing the mental health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender ◽  
Lgbt Individuals

Abstract Today a large number of studies from different parts of the world clearly show that compared with heterosexuals lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have an increased risk of mental health problems, especially depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour. To meet this increased risk of mental health problems, many governmental public health agencies call for policy and intervention programs addressing specific needs of LGBT individuals. Despite the clear need for evidence-based care, prevention, and treatment specifically tailored to LGBTQ people, there are currently few such programmes due to lack of sufficient research. This workshop will give examples of studies on mental health care needs among LGBT individuals and effect of evidence-based training for mental health providers, as well as, studies showing improvements of mental health after treatments. Dr. Corina Lelutiu-Weinberger (Rutgers University, USA) will present results from a newly conducted study of LGBT-affirmative mental health training for health care providers in Romania. Dr. John Pachankis (Yale University, USA), will present results showing improvements in mental health among transgender individuals after receiving gender-affirmative surgical treatment, using a total population dataset from Sweden. Dr. Igor Grabovac (Medical University of Vienna, Austria) will present health and well-being disparities based on sexual orientation among older LGBT individuals in England. The situation for LGBT individuals varies greatly across Europe. The level of acceptance for minority sexual orientations differs greatly by country, and in many countries, LGBT people are also subject to legal discrimination concerning basic civil rights, e.g. regarding recognition of same-sex unions. During the workshop, Dr. Richard Bränström (Karolinska Institutet, Sweden) will present data on experiences of discrimination in health care settings and openness with sexual and gender identity to mental health providers among LGBT populations across all 28 European Union Countries. Key messages Today a large number of studies from different parts of the world clearly show that compared to heterosexuals LGBT individuals have an increased risk of mental health problems. Access to supportive mental health care for LGBT individuals varies greatly across Europe and dissemination of targeted LGBT-affirmative evidence-based interventions needed.

scholarly journals Primary health care nurses’ management practices of common mental health conditions in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Curationis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith N. Dube ◽  
Leana R. Uys
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Health Care Clinics ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Global Burden Of Diseases

Background: Psychiatric conditions contribute to 13%of the global burden of diseases and account for one third of years lost because of disability (YLD). Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems, primary health care (PHC) services remain ineffective in managing patients with mental health conditions.Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the practices of PHC nurses in the management of psychiatric patients in primary health care clinics in one of the rural districts in South Africa.Method: A survey was conducted amongst nurses working in several PHC clinics in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in order to determine their practices in the management of psychiatric patients. Mixed methods were used to determine the PHC nurses practices in the management of psychiatric patients.Results: The findings revealed that in five sites (83.3%) treatments are not reviewed every six months, there were no local protocols on the administration of psychiatric emergency drugs, and none of the study sites provided psychiatric patients with education on their medication and its possible side effects.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it is evident that psychiatric patients at PHC clinics in the district where the study was conducted do not receive quality treatment according to institutional mental health guidelines.

scholarly journals Mortality and cause of death among psychiatric patients: a 20-year case-register study in an area with a community-based system of care

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1875-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Grigoletti ◽  
G. Perini ◽  
A. Rossi ◽  
A. Biggeri ◽  
C. Barbui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Case Register ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

BackgroundMost mortality studies of psychiatric patients published to date have been conducted in hospital-based systems of care. This paper describes a study of the causes of death and associated risk factors among psychiatric patients who were followed up over a 20-year period in an area where psychiatric care is entirely provided by community-based psychiatric services.MethodAll subjects in contact with the South Verona Community-based Mental Health Service (CMHS) over a 20-year period with an ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis were included. Of these 6956 patients, 938 died during the study period. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and Poisson multiple regressions were used to assess the excess of mortality in the sample compared with the general population.ResultsThe overall SMR of the psychiatric patients was 1.88. Mortality was significantly high among out-patients [SMR 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–1.8], and higher still following the first admission (SMR 2.61, 95% CI 2.4–2.9). The SMR for infectious diseases was higher among younger patients and extremely high in patients with diagnoses of drug addiction (216.40, 95% CI 142.5–328.6) and personality disorders (20.87, 95% CI 5.2–83.4).ConclusionsThis study found that psychiatric patients in contact with a CMHS have an almost twofold higher mortality rate than the general population. These findings demonstrate that, since the closure of long-stay psychiatric hospitals, the physical health care of people with mental health problems is often neglected and clearly requires greater attention by health-care policymakers, services and professionals.

scholarly journals Mental Health Smartphone Apps: Review and Evidence-Based Recommendations for Future Developments

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e7 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bakker ◽  
Nikolaos Kazantzis ◽  
Debra Rickwood ◽  
Nikki Rickard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Previous Systematic Review ◽  
Overall Design ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Preventative Health ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
App Design

Background The number of mental health apps (MHapps) developed and now available to smartphone users has increased in recent years. MHapps and other technology-based solutions have the potential to play an important part in the future of mental health care; however, there is no single guide for the development of evidence-based MHapps. Many currently available MHapps lack features that would greatly improve their functionality, or include features that are not optimized. Furthermore, MHapp developers rarely conduct or publish trial-based experimental validation of their apps. Indeed, a previous systematic review revealed a complete lack of trial-based evidence for many of the hundreds of MHapps available. Objective To guide future MHapp development, a set of clear, practical, evidence-based recommendations is presented for MHapp developers to create better, more rigorous apps. Methods A literature review was conducted, scrutinizing research across diverse fields, including mental health interventions, preventative health, mobile health, and mobile app design. Results Sixteen recommendations were formulated. Evidence for each recommendation is discussed, and guidance on how these recommendations might be integrated into the overall design of an MHapp is offered. Each recommendation is rated on the basis of the strength of associated evidence. It is important to design an MHapp using a behavioral plan and interactive framework that encourages the user to engage with the app; thus, it may not be possible to incorporate all 16 recommendations into a single MHapp. Conclusions Randomized controlled trials are required to validate future MHapps and the principles upon which they are designed, and to further investigate the recommendations presented in this review. Effective MHapps are required to help prevent mental health problems and to ease the burden on health systems.

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