NEW DELHI : The shortage of competent psychiatrists and psychologists, and the stigma attached with mental health issues that discourage people from attending in-person consultation, is prompting the medical community to recommend the use of mobile apps and tele-consultation.
Rituparna Ghosh, a consultant at Apollo Hospitals, in Navi Mumbai, who even recommends its use said, mental health has been a “secret pandemic" affecting individuals’ well-being, and the number of patient queries on mental health has grown since the outbreak of covid.
Due to the restrictions, more people turned to apps to reach medical professionals. Duncan Stewart, director of research at consulting firm Deloitte’s Canada arm, said global spending on mental health apps is expected to touch $500 million in 2022, up from $200 million in 2019. “We think in the long-term, it will continue to grow, especially as companies figure out how to monetize it." The trend is playing out in India, too.
Amit Malik, founder and chief executive of InnerHour, a mental health app, said he witnessed a 300% increase in downloads in 2021.