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The Bupa Health Insights series brings you the latest healthcare trends, interviews with medical experts and specialist insight from Bupa: all designed to keep you and your organisation one step ahead.
For the latest insights on supporting health in the workplace, take a look here.
The need for effective and accessible support for mental health has never been higher.
The Centre for Mental Health has estimated that up to 10 million people are likely to need new or additional mental health support as a result of the pandemic.
This demand for services accelerated during the pandemic and has now intensified by anxiety around the economy and household finances.
The mental health workforce remains short staffed despite some improvement, meaning alternatives need to be found, with artificial intelligence (AI), big data and machine-learning already reshaping the future of mental healthcare.
Scientists are already working on technologies with the aim of predicting an individual’s risk of mental health problems.
They hope this will lead to better understanding the genetic and lifestyle factors that influence mental health which could result in improved diagnosis and treatment for those at most risk.
AI and healthcare deeply connected
Dr Luke James, Bupa Group Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director of Healthcare Transformation believes the future of AI and healthcare are deeply interconnected.
“These technologies will never replace person-to-person mental health care, but they do offer a convenient, effective and user-friendly option for the treatment of a number of common challenges such as mild to moderate anxiety and depression,” he says.
“Perhaps more importantly, they empower users to take more control of their own healthcare through an understanding of potential triggers for problems, and simple lifestyle changes to support better mental health.”
Bupa is already unlocking the potential of technology through the SilverCloud digital platform, the Bupa Blua Health app and its partnership with JAAQ.
It is estimated that 29% of adults will develop a mental illness at some time in their lives but stigma, lack of trust in available resources, and the severity of symptoms can mean people do not take action. Indeed, fewer than a quarter (22%) typically will seek help.
As Dr Arun Thiyagarajan, General Manager of Bupa Health Clinics explains, a huge plus with these platforms is that people can access them when they want.
For resources and guides on how to promote good mental health in the workplace, take a look at the full article here.
This article has been abbreviated by Health & Protection.
