The imperative to increase healthcare access, efficiency and effectiveness is nearly impossible to meet without reliance on technology. Telemedicine tools now include video, e-mail, text messaging, apps, and other mobile health modalities, deployed synchronously, asynchronously and in hybrid combinations to offer assessment, consultation, direct treatment, and integrated care. Within telemedicine, mental health is particularly well suited to technology platforms due to several inherent factors: provider shortages that are often more acute than in other specialties
the relatively reduced need for laboratory tests, imaging studies and physical examinations
the stigma still attached to mental illness
and diagnosis-specific obstacles that can complicate in person visits (e.g., pronounced fear in social anxiety disorder). The need to increase access, efficiency and effectiveness, combined with the relative ease of translating mental health interventions to technology-mediated delivery, have led researchers to explore various platforms, including: computerized cognitive behavioral therapy
online psychotherapy and online psychopharmacology
mobile therapy
virtual/augmented reality exposure therapy
serious games
and artificial intelligence. Yet, despite often positive efficacy data and an ever more technology-reliant lifestyle, the reach of telemental health remains relatively limited in comparison with its potential. We aim to capture the current status of digital and telecommunications technologies in mental health and the field's future trends and directions. Recently published data-as well as newly introduced platforms-have put both the promise and challenges of telemental health in sharp focus, making this an opportune time to compile a collection of high-quality, evidence-based and diverse articles that touch on various aspects of this technology revolution. This Research Topic collects articles that examine digital mental health interventions across different platforms and modes of delivery. The scope is broad to reflect the richness of the field and the many questions it raises: standalone vs. supported models
comparisons with "traditional" modalities
psychotherapeutic vs. psychopharmacological interventions
efficacy
patient attrition
cost-effectiveness
ethical issues
and insurer and malpractice coverage.