The importance of Mental health in today’s world

 

According to Our World in Data’s report, it is estimated that 970 million people around the world had some kind of mental or substance disorder in 2017. That number is significant considering the world’s population. Now we’re in the last month of 2020 and nine months into the covid-19 pandemic. Chaos and turmoil have engulfed the world.

Now you don’t need anyone to tell you how difficult the past few months have been. Perhaps you might be suffering or have suffered with some kind of mental distress during these times. The number of people having a mental illness has certainly gone up since the pandemic began. The reason is pretty straightforward - the pandemic has forced many to remain in isolation for long durations, many lost their jobs, many were furloughed, many lost their loved ones, and lockdown and social restriction measures have instilled a sense of fearfulness and uncomfortableness among the masses. And all this has taken a toll on people’s mental health.

The topic of mental health and its awareness has never been this relevant. WHO, Google and all other major social media platforms have dedicated pages and links to provide users with the relevant information and resources regarding mental health. Many governments and NGOs are also providing services. All that is, certainly, a step in the right direction. However, there’s a catch when it comes to reality about mental health.

First of all, it’s really difficult to know if a person is suffering from any mental health issues unless they open up about it. That is because most of the symptoms are invisible. And the other thing is, even if a person is suffering from any mental illness, it is either they don’t realize or many times they just won’t let anyone know due to fear of being judged.

As people become more and more aware, they’re willing to open up and reach out for help when they’re mentally distressed. Despite that, the fact is many people around the world don't have access to basic medical services. And when it comes to mental health, therapy, medication, and other treatments are quite expensive. Not everyone can afford that.

Hence, this is where technology comes in handy. We have seen that artificial intelligence and machine learning have made their way into every industry. The Healthcare system is no exception. Researchers and medical experts have come up with AI-powered therapists, chatbots, and psychologists to make mental health treatment available to everyone, at least virtually.

But how can AI help in treating mental health issues?

Many organizations provide counseling, therapy services, and have helplines on which people can get help. But their availability is limited. And when we talk about AI-powered tools, they are available 24x7.

For instance, people can access or interact with a mental health chatbot at any given time. This can be significant for someone who is in need of some immediate help. 

Moreover, AI therapists and psychologists can interact with patients in real-time. These virtual assistants can analyze facial expressions, head gestures, voice tones, and eye gaze to identify behavioral indicators related to several mental conditions. Psychologists have conducted experiments and have found that it is more comfortable for some people to share things with a virtual interviewer. In the same way, people can communicate their mental problems with an AI therapist who will then suggest certain solutions accordingly.

The downside to all that is, no matter how good a chatbot or virtual assistant is, they can’t replace a human. And mental is a very sensitive topic, so it always requires a human connection. Still, many believe that AI can at least, to a certain extent, make mental health treatment more accessible.

It’s still too early to say how successful an AI therapist or a mental health chatbot can be. Technology has shown that it can provide better understanding with quick and smart results, but its implementation in the field of mental health needs to be examined closely.