• One in every 10 Kenyans suffers from a common mental disorder, with the number increasing to one in every four people among patients on routine outpatient services.
• Analysis shows effective apps have the potential to change the face of mental healthcare not only during pandemics but also in routine daily life.
Mental healthcare has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the digital health market.
The development is attributed to increased anxiety disorders and depression in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a World Economic Forum brief, over 10,000 apps have been developed claiming to boost one’s mood, better one’s sleep and aid in overcoming addiction.
With its inclusive nature, online counselling has also been customised for those living with visual and hearing impairments. The physically disabled and those unable to leave their homes can also easily access e-therapy services with little inconvenience.
“Individuals residing in rural or remote areas where there are no counselling services also benefit from the remote accessibility of online counselling,” the brief states.
With most people staying at home to counter the spread of Covid-19, the brief indicates that online counselling could be replacing the traditional physical counselling, especially among teenagers.
“Online counselling has shown to be effective in encouraging children and teenagers to receive therapy as they seem to be more comfortable using the internet,” says the World Economic Forum.
Therapists unable to afford to rent commercial spaces also reveal how providing their services online has levelled the field for both the financially capable and those incapable.
For Mercy Namuli, a young psychiatrist, online therapy has overcome other barriers that precluded some people from seeking and providing therapy.
“It is effective in eliminating the social stigma associated with receiving therapy. For those uncomfortable with receiving therapy, online counselling allows access to such services in private without having to visit the counselling centre,” Namuli said.
Statistics provided by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe in July indicated that one in every 10 Kenyans suffers from a common mental disorder, and the number increases to one in every four people among patients attending routine outpatient services.
He added that the increasing gender-based violence and family strife is also due to psycho-social issues which “have compounded the problem of the current pandemic."
A recent analysis of 18 randomised controlled trials of mobile apps for people with depression showed that the use of apps was associated with a decrease in users’ symptoms, with the greatest benefits seen among users who had milder forms of depression
According to the Mental Health Academy, the analysis showed that effective apps have the potential to change the face of mental healthcare not only during pandemics but also in routine daily life.
“Now is the time to invest and innovate in digital mental health to ensure that anyone, anywhere, can get the help they need,” the academy says.
Edited by R.Wamochie