TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Technology acts both as a challenge and a solution in the mental health field. Excessive use of technology leads to otherwise known problems with self-regulation, anxiety problems and psychosomatic problems, but it also offers more innovative solutions in the way of prevention, assessment, or intervention. This chapter will address the duality of the role of technology in mental health management directed at young adults and college students. Recent studies of social networking addiction, smartphone over usage, artificial intelligence, and Internet gaming disorder will be looked at specifically regarding technology’s effect on emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and mental health. Also discussed are evidence based digital therapeutics interventions, online counseling services, mobile application-based therapies, increased access to information and mental health literacy. Ethical problems, digital boundaries and the use of technology Mindfully are captured. The chapter concludes on the usage of technology and its integration in a balanced manner effecting improvement in educational mental health consciousness.