Effectiveness and Safety of Using Chatbots to Improve Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

EN BREF ...

"Mental illness is a growing public health concern worldwide. One in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children are likely to be affected by mental health problems annually. Mental illness has a significant impact on the lives of millions of people and a profound impact on the community and economy. Mental disorders impair quality of life and are considered one of the most common causes of disability. Mental disorders are predicted to cost $16 trillion globally between 2011 and 2030 due to lost labor and capital output. There is a shortage of mental health human resources, poor funding, and mental health illiteracy globally. This lack of resources is especially evident in low-income and middle-income countries where there are 0.1 psychiatrists per 1,000,000 people, compared to 90 psychiatrists per 1,000,000 people in high-income countries. According to the World Health Organization, mental health services reach 15% and 45% of those in need in developing and developed countries, respectively. This could be a major factor contributing to the increase in suicidal behavior in recent decades. The demand for better mental health services has increased, and meeting these demands has become increasingly difficult and costly due to a lack of resources. Therefore, new solutions are needed to compensate for the deficiency of resources and promote patient self-care. Distance can impede the reach of traditional mental health services to populations in remote areas in both high-income and low-income countries. Technology-based treatment, such as mobile apps, can overcome most of these barriers and engage hard-to-reach populations. A World Health Organization survey of 15,000 apps revealed that 29% focus on mental health diagnosis or support." En bref issu de l'étude.