With the expansion of the digital health and wellness industry in recent years, apps that cater to mental health management have popped up in their masses. While many claim to support those with mental health issues and offer guidance on managing them, there are questions as to whether a digital app can be a stand-in for in-person care.
Kilo Health, who recently released their Sensa mental health app, is an innovator in the digital health and wellness industry and has made impressive strides with their app catalog–but can they make the same changes with mental health apps?
The Role of Technology in Mental Healthcare
Technology has been increasingly used for healthcare and came to a peak during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns forced the end of face-to-face doctor appointments around the globe. The technology that is used to manage, support, and treat those with mental health problems can range from a text-based support hotline to a complex app that offers guidance and activities to help users keep their mental health in check.
Mental health apps are convenient, affordable, and offer a 24-hour service to users, making them incredibly beneficial to many people. But questions have arisen about the effectiveness of such apps as well as the situations in which they can be used.
Self-Management Mental Health Apps
Apps that help users to self-manage their conditions are by far the most popular in the digital wellness space. These apps tend to offer lessons on different coping mechanisms and employ well-known methods, like mindfulness and meditation, to promote calmness and relaxation.
While self-management apps take up most of the market and bridge the gap between patient care and self-management, there is still concern that some apps currently on the market do not have enough input from experts in the field to be deemed ‘good’.
Cue: Kilo Health’s Sensa app.
Sensa Mental Health App
Sensa has seen massive success since its launch. The app takes a cognitive behavioral approach to mental health, aiming to change the way that users think. The app was created by leading psychologists to provide a space for people with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health problems to find support and education on coping mechanisms.
It offers a journaling space so that users can keep a track of triggers and even has a Quick Relief section which can be used when having a panic attack or feeling heightened anxiety. Unlike many of the apps in the field, the Sensa app uses well-researched methods that are proven to work.
The Future of Tech in Mental Healthcare
In the future, we are likely to see more collaboration between licensed health professionals and the makers of mental healthcare apps to ensure each and every one of them is as effective as possible.
As for Kilo Health, the future looks bright for a company already invested in research and consultation from the right people to make sure that their apps are up to scratch. With an already thriving catalog of health apps, innovation is to be expected from them!