In a 2003 study done by the NCS, nearly half of American adults reported meeting criteria for a mental illness (ex. anxiety or mood disorder), with around a quarter meeting criteria within the last 12 months. Mental health issues significantly affect quality of life, and are one of the most common disabilities in the US, but they are often stigmatized and not taken seriously. Take for example, this Buzzfeed video:
Because of both cultural perceptions of mental health issues and the lack of availability or cost of therapy, many people suffering from mental illnesses go untreated. In my own depressive episodes, I’ve been reluctant to go to therapy for these exact reasons. But as the internet has become more pervasive, many sites and online services have begun trying to address this gap in treatment.
One of the pioneers in the field is Australian site MoodGYM, which has offered free online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) since 2001. A study on the program observed users of the site exhibiting depression that had no outside contact with therapists made statistically significant improvements in their mental health.
However, one of the main problems associated with self-directed online programs like MoodGYM is the dropout rate. Many users never log in for a second session. There are over 122 mental health startups, many of which try to address this problem. In one of these startups, Joyable, users are assigned dedicated coaches and have scheduled check-in sessions over the phone or online to supplement CBT. Joyable’s monthly subscription cost is $99. To put that in perspective, an average therapy session can cost $90-$250. Many mental health startups aim to offer a more affordable, accessible alternative to traditional therapy.
Hopefully, these new assistive technologies will help bridge the gap between treatment and the millions of people with untreated mental illness.
Very important topic, especially the stigma around mental health issues. I know several people who have struggled to seek treatment because of the concern over how mental health is perceived in this country. The apps you mention look very promising, I wonder if they are covered by insurance? That makes a big difference to a lot of people.