COVID-19 has proven to be the biggest uncertainty in the year 2020. Although the viral disease itself is daunting, yet it also brings a myriad of collateral damages along with it. There are constant fear and stress revolving around the uncertainties associated with career, businesses, and the future. Counseling is crucial yet essential during these trying times, and a part of the “new normal” is using telehealth mental health services. It enables clinicians to communicate, diagnose, educate, and monitor patients over long distances remotely.
In this post, you’ll learn the important benefits of telehealth mental health services.
Before we go any further, let’s delve into the basics.
So, What Is Telehealth?
As defined by Wikipedia, telehealth refers to the distribution of information and health-related services via electronic and telecommunication technologies.
Since the current pandemic crisis restricts people from traveling, even commuting in doctor’s clinics and hospitals, therefore, medical services are offered using the telehealth concepts.
The coronavirus pandemic has completely transformed the lifestyle of people, from their routine to the perception of reality. The things that were considered routine, prior to the COVID-19, are now losing its real meaning. Everyone is switching to the new normal, at their own pace.
What Is ‘The New Normal’?
Wikipedia also explains that new normal refers to a business and economic term that reflects the financial conditions that follow a financial crisis, such as 2008 to 2012 global recession, and 2019 up to present COVID-19 pandemic.
With financial crises and unemployment rising, several people are falling into the deep hole of mental health issues. They are worried and anxious about what lies ahead.
How will I sustain my family, if the company fires me? Or pay me less than usual?
How do I keep my children away from the stress of the pandemic?
My mental health is declining each second, I spend in the quarantine, what do I do about it?
Will I lose control and fall into insanity, considering the social barrier the pandemic is creating in my mind?
These are some of the worrisome questions, most of us are anxious about.
In this case, it’s immensely important to seek professional help. Therefore, telehealth mental health services may rescue you from your own debilitating thoughts.
So, let’s move forward and see how beneficial telehealth mental health services are.
Important Benefits of Telehealth Mental Health Services
- Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Condition
Mental health problems may start as stress or worry, which can grow worse over time when neglected. Availing telehealth mental health services West Chester allows you to consult a professional; psychologist and psychiatrist, early to avoid major mental health problems.
Here are some mental health conditions which can be addressed and managed through telehealth:
- Help for Alcohol Addiction
- Behavioral Addictions
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Treatment for Opioid Use
- Panic Attacks
- Phobias
- Sexual Abuse
- PTSD
Mental Health Therapies Can Be Performed Online
Effective mental health therapies can be performed online, helping patients even if they are at home. With a reliable internet connection and sign up with a company website offering telehealth services, patients and doctors can talk about existing and potential mental health problems. People can be assessed on their addictions, emotional struggles, relationship issues, work or school situation, physical condition, and spiritual issues.
Check out the following examples of mental health services that can be performed through telehealth:
- Mindfulness Therapy: This mental health service is a useful treatment for patients with generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and addictions. Mindfulness therapy has been shown to improve the signs and symptoms of depression, even for people with physical health conditions, like a traumatic brain injury.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It’s a short-term therapy, helping patients find new ways to behave. CBT focuses on changing thought patterns related to present-day challenges. It’s a great way to manage stress, fear, and anxiety. Some examples of CBT activities performed via telehealth services include learning relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, distraction, and coping self-talk.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Training: It’s a modular and comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment originally developed in treating patients with borderline personality disorder. Today, DBT skills training is used in telehealth services to help patients with anxiety, disordered eating, mood disorders, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder.
- Motivational Interviewing: It’s a counseling approach, a directive, client-centered counseling to elicit behavior change. It helps patients to explore and address ambivalence.
Prevention of the Progression and Complications of Mental Health Problems
Sadness, fear, and anxiety can progress and result in more serious problems, such as schizophrenia, as manifested by hallucination and delusion. With telehealth services, you can immediately consult a licensed and experienced psychiatrist online to get expert help and avoid the progression and complications of mental health problems.
Effective Alternative to Face to Face Consultation
Telehealth is an innovative, safe, and effective alternative to one-on-one or face-to-face consultation. You only need a computer and communications software, Zoom or Skype, as well as a reliable internet connection to avail telehealth services.
Prevention of Anxiety and Depression During Social Isolation
Seniors and people who live alone tend to be at a higher risk of developing mental health problems due to isolation. About 20 percent of the elderly population or 13.8 million in the United States live alone or under social isolation.
Moreover, the current quarantine protocols may cause further social isolation. Telehealth services can help socially isolated individuals express their thoughts and emotions by speaking with a mental health expert. Get online counseling from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist of your choice within the comfort of your home. In this way, depression related to social isolation can be minimized or prevented.
Takeaway
Now more than ever, telehealth services are crucial as a part of a new normal to get mental health help. Due to the restrictions and threat of coronavirus, staying at home is highly recommended. However, future uncertainties can cause anxiety and depression. It’s a great deal to have access to telehealth services for people. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment for mental health conditions are made easier through the telehealth mental health services. Do you have any experience with telehealth services? Let us know about your own experience in the comments section.
