DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS: EFFECTIVENESS, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA


Tapolagna Das
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), transforming mental healthcare delivery from predominantly in-person services to technology-mediated care. This article explores the effectiveness of teletherapy, mobile mental health applications, wearable devices, and online counseling in enhancing access to care and improving clinical outcomes. While substantial evidence demonstrates that digital interventions can achieve comparable or superior effectiveness to traditional face-to-face care, significant challenges persist regarding privacy protection, therapeutic alliance formation, digital divide inequities, and sustained user engagement. Through systematic analysis of recent empirical evidence, this review explores whether technology genuinely enhances healthcare quality and accessibility or introduces new risks that may exacerbate existing mental health disparities. Findings suggest that blended care models integrating digital tools with human support offer the most promising approach for delivering effective, accessible, and ethically sound mental healthcare. Recommendations for regulatory frameworks, quality standards, and evidence-based implementation strategies are discussed to guide the responsible advancement of digital mental health services.
Keywords: Digital mental health interventions, teletherapy, mobile health applications, wearable devices, therapeutic alliance, privacy concerns, digital divide, blended care, COVID-19 pandemic
Journal Name :
EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)

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Published on : 2025-10-31

Vol : 11
Issue : 10
Month : October
Year : 2025
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