Health and Wellness Informatics News
Digital technologies for improving mental health
At the HIMSS21 APAC, the HIMSS panel showcased the significance of digital tools in addressing mental health issues and bringing out better results.
The social isolation, inequities, lockdowns, and unemployment triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic deteriorated the mental health of people across the globe. Although, the good news is that, with the help of digital technologies, efforts for improving mental health are increasing.
The stakeholders from the governments and communities understand the value of being supportive of mental health. They are allotting investments and facilitating self-health management in the latest digital technologies associated with mental health.
The EVP and managing director of HIMSS United Kingdom, Bruce Steinberg, at the Mental Health Panel at HIM3321 APAC Conference, have spoken to the CEO of the Institute of Mental Health In Singapore, Daniel Fung and discussed the role of digital technology in mental health.
The demonstration of Emotion AI software by the CEO of Opsis, Andrew OW, and the intellect of mobile health application by CEO Theodoric Chew was also featured in the session.
Fung also spoke about the usage of digital tools in addressing mental health and mental health issues. Earlier, mental problems impacted a portion of the population. Later it was stress, and currently, the pandemic has induced it further.
The upcoming online portal of Singapore for mental health resources will be focusing majorly on the general population’s mental condition. It will be about mental health literacy, awareness, and promotion of prevention of mental health illness via education.
Fung also commented on the younger generation and said, “They are born in the digital [era], and they are quite comfortable.
But Fung also added, “But we also have mental health and mental illness issues in the working adult population and the elderly”. Here he referred to the not technically literate.
The telehealth platforms will also allow staying connected to the patients.
According to Fung, rules must be there that both the patients and doctors will be following, along with the clinicians who must undergo training for conducting remote consultations. Currently, Singapore’s Ministry of Health is implementing some initiatives for standardizing online consultations with doctors.
