The available forms of technologies just keeps increasing, and many are heavily dependent on them. Being able to access the internet and other online tools at anytime is crucial for most people. For instance, 85% of people in the UK own a smartphone and the average adult spends more than 20 hours online per week. Of all smartphone users, 80% check their phone within 15 minutes of waking up. Meanwhile, 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems, but 2/3 of them are unable to access care. Shouldn't we take advantage of this extensive use of technologies, and apply smart solutions to improve access to care? Here are some of the technologies that most people can't imagine living without:
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We shop online: Most people shop online, and some even prefer it for reasons like saving time, avoiding crowds and the availability to compare prices. As an example, more than 80% of the online population have used the internet to make a purchase.
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We manage our money online: Nowadays do most people use online banking rather than doing traditional bank visits. Additionally, people are increasingly using apps on their mobile phone to do transactions, check their balance, and to pay their bills. Just customers of the most popular banks in the UK use online banking 7 billion times each year.
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We find our way: Since the GPS was introduced by the military in the 80’s; a navigation system is a necessity for people to help them reach their final destination. It is now a common sight to see people leaned over their smartphone as they track themselves on a map towards their destination.
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We share pictures and moments online: You know what they say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Most people have the ability to take a picture whenever and wherever with their mobile phones, and can quickly share a moment via social media with giving very little, or no explanation. Just read this: 240 thousands new photos are uploaded every minute to Facebook. That’s crazy.
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We have video calls: It is hard to imagine that our grandparents needed to rely on traditional mail to get in touch. Nowadays, many people use video-calls to get in contact with friends and family, or even to have remote business meetings. For instance, there are about 4.9 million users of Skype everyday who spend about 3 billion minutes together.
Let's access online care from our pocket too
It is clear that technologies are already seamlessly integrated into most people’s everyday life. Then why are not more people with mental health problems given the option to receive therapy online? If we embraced innovation in mental health care as we do in our everyday technologies, we could improve access to care for the entire population. Even for culture groups where mental health problems carries great stigma. Lets empower people to take charge of their own mental health in a way that fits into their daily life!
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Minddistrict is an online platform that supports an individual’s personal route to recovery by means of technology, from prevention to aftercare.
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