Advancing mental health care: a comprehensive review of digital tools and technologies for enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and wellness

Abstract

An individual's mental health influences their capacity to think effectively, feel emotionally stable, and perform daily activities. As mental health concerns become more prevalent worldwide, new awareness and diagnostic and treatment tactics are needed. Digital tools and technology are helping solve these problems by providing scalable, tailored solutions for large populations. This detailed review examines mental health-promoting internet tools. Smartphone applications, web-based therapy systems, wearable tech, artificial intelligence-powered resources, and virtual reality (VR) technologies were evaluated for efficacy and side effects. PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar were carefully searched. Search terms included “digital mental health tools,” “online therapy,” and “AI in mental health.” Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses of digital technology and mental health were included from among the literature published after 2010. Cognitive behavioral therapy methods, mood monitoring, and mindfulness exercises are among the numerous features of smartphone applications that have been demonstrated to mitigate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and tension. Online therapy platforms let marginalized individuals obtain therapy remotely. Wearable technology may detect heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep length, which may reveal mental health difficulties. Chatbots employ machine learning algorithms and natural language processing to deliver customized support and show promise for quick intervention. Exposure therapy for anxiety and trauma is increasingly using virtual reality environments. Although digital mental health therapies face challenges in relation to data privacy, limited long-term efficacy, and technological inequality, digital technologies are modernizing mental healthcare. By offering inexpensive and effective alternatives to traditional therapies, digital technologies may help healthcare systems meet the growing demand for mental health services and overall well-being.