Open AccessMental Health and COVID-19: Implications for the Future of Telehealth
Author(s) -
Emily Pfender
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of patient experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2374-3743
pISSN - 2374-3735
DOI - 10.1177/2374373520948436
Subject(s) - telehealth , mental health , pandemic , leverage (statistics) , covid-19 , suicidal ideation , health care , mental health care , psychology , medicine , telemedicine , psychiatry , suicide prevention , medical emergency , poison control , economic growth , computer science , economics , pathology , virology , outbreak , machine learning , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
This article uses mental health trends during the COVID-19 pandemic to question how we can leverage current technologies such as telehealth to provide better mental health care. Based on this compilation of literature, an increase in suicide rates, suicidal ideation, and mental health disorders is possible as a result of the impact of COVID-19. By increasing the use of telehealth and investigating best practices for its use, the outcome is 3-fold. We can provide preventative measures after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, more effective care to patients during future pandemics and global crises, and reduce mental health care disparities by reaching rural Americans.