Particularly in the past year, mental health and well-being have been top of mind for people around the world as we live through the pandemic. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report stated that 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use in June 2020.
At the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, we recognize the importance of mental health and how technologies in this space can encourage further conversations. Through initiatives such as creating working groups, engaging members and highlighting innovations, we hope to inspire growth in mental health.
Health care providers are aware that there are negative long-term consequences for mental health due to COVID-19, and mental health and well-being tools have proven not only effective but also necessary.
A number of CTA members are dedicated to providing reliable mental health resources:
As time moves forward, so do new innovations in mental health and well-being. Teletherapy, mobile/application-based solutions and virtual reality have opened doors for patients and providers and are delivering accessible and affordable mental health services.