The global mental health crisis and the role of technology

Mental health conditions affect nearly 1 billion people worldwide, manifesting in conditions that range from anxiety and depression to addictions, schizophrenia, and dementia. Mental health conditions take a significant toll on both individuals and society, leading to a productivity loss that costs the global economy; for instance, anxiety and depression alone cost an estimated US$ 1 trillion annually.

The World Health Organization reports that there is a significant gap in access to basic mental health care, with 35% to 50% of people in developed countries and 75% to 80% in developing countries lacking access. In India alone, a 2017 study published in The Lancet found that approximately 197 million people suffer from mental health conditions that require care, with over 80% of them not receiving the necessary treatment. Challenges on both the supply and demand sides of mental health services exacerbate this substantial treatment gap.

Challenges in providing mental health services

Shortage of trained mental health care professionals is the most glaring challenge in providing equitable access to mental health services, which is true across countries irrespective of their income levels. Globally, the median number of mental health workers is about 13 per 100,000 population. The disparities across countries are wide, with the Global South often having fewer than 2 mental health professionals per 100,000 people.

It is important to integrate mental health into primary health care and provide community-based mental health services for individuals requiring more intensive and specialized support. This improves access to evidence-based mental health services at the local level and also promotes a more holistic approach to mental health care provision with the involvement of families, traditional healers, and other health care providers.

Despite this, the emphasis on the?integration of mental health into primary health services and community-based mental health services is inadequate, especially in the Global South. The reasons behind this are the?limited intent of policy and challenges related to their conceptualization and roll-out through a public health system that is already struggling to address existing public health challenges.

We are living in a time when the need for mental health support, both at individual and population levels, is critical. This persists even as we continue to grapple with significant challenges, including low levels of mental health literacy, negative social attitudes, and widespread stigma. Furthermore, real concerns over confidentiality and privacy and misconceptions about treatments for mental health conditions impede help-seeking through formal or professional sources across populations.

The rise of digital mental health technology

We are seeing a well-established and growing trend in the?development of innovative digital solutions, particularly in the realm of technology-enhanced mental health care. Digital technologies are increasingly seen as a way to expand access to mental health care while providing privacy and confidentiality.

There is an ever-growing and widespread use of mobile devices for personalized health care which provides an opportunity for real-time, digital interventions that can transform therapeutic practices in terms of provision of mental health care. These digital interventions range from tele-mental health services to more advanced applications powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

Our recently concluded review and an innovations challenge for technology-based promising solutions from the Asia Pacific region in the?mental health space have highlighted many promising local solutions that can inspire and inform the?global community to expand support mental health care provision in primary care and community. These solutions apply technology to a range of problems – from awareness to self-assessment and self-help, to access to therapy and specialized services for mental health across the region.

A majority of current interventions are focused on harnessing the power of AI to provide a range of tools for self-assessment and tracking of emotions and symptoms, lifestyle, and other factors for a personalized approach to understanding one’s mental health status, fostering personal growth, self-help and self-improvement. In addition, they can also link to coaches, and?therapists when needed.

Wysa, based in Bengaluru, India, is an AI-powered life coach designed to support mental and emotional well-being. It offers an AI chatbot that listens and responds to users using clinically safe mental health resources, helping them manage their emotional health, while providing access to professional therapists. More recent interventions such as Meeta, a WhatsApp-based chatbot in Bangladesh provide mental health resources and guidance in both Bengali and English and connects them with helplines. Similar services like TherapyMantra in Myanmar and Moner Bondhu in Bangladesh are creating new avenues for people to seek help.

Similarly, SmartHealth, an app equipped with early detection features allow users to perform self-assessments and gain insights into their mental and physical health. The app also provides teleconsultation services, giving users direct access to health care professionals via a digital platform. Another example is Happify Health. This technology is focused on driving positive behavioral changes to improve health care outcomes by enhancing emotional well-being. The platform offers science-backed activities and games that address key topics like resilience and mindfulness, while also helping users manage a range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia.

Powered by a ?generative AI-driven co-pilot, Jotno in Bangladesh provision of mental health education, screening, risk assessment, referrals and access to services in urban communities and workplaces by linking with telemedicine and general practitioners of the public health system in urban areas.

While many of the interventions mentioned above as well as dedicated platforms for accessing online therapy are available in the?market, it is also possible to implement such solutions at scale in low-resource settings through government initiatives. For instance, the Indian government's launch of Tele MANAS in 2022, provides digital mental health services through mobile apps and online therapy platforms. Since its launch in October 2022, Tele MANAS has received over 10 lakh calls and is managing more than 3,500 calls daily. Tele MANAS has become a lifeline for many, particularly in underserved areas.

An emerging area in digital mental health is the?use of wearable technology. Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers are increasingly used to monitor physical and behavioral indicators that are key to managing mental health. In India, companies like Neuphony utilize wearable headsets that capture brainwave data to offer non-invasive treatments for mental health disorders. Other cutting-edge technologies, such as voice analysis and affective computing tools, are being developed to detect emotional states and help healthcare providers tailor interventions more precisely. For example, natural language processing algorithms can analyze speech patterns to identify symptoms of mental health conditions.

Another area of interest from innovators is the realm of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) emerging as transformative tools in the mental health field. These technologies create immersive experiences that allow patients to engage in therapeutic exercises in controlled environments, enhancing treatment outcomes. For example, Limbix is developing a VR system that helps treat conditions such as anxiety, addiction, and depression by offering life-like scenarios for patients to confront their fears or practice mindfulness techniques.

Way forward

Technology for mental health is only going to boom. Advances in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, data science, and increased accessibility to technology have sparked widespread interest. For example, the number of digital mental health apps has surged, with over 10,000 available globally. Their growing user base reflects the rising demand for accessible and private mental health support, with users valuing the convenience and confidentiality these tools offer.

The diverse health care landscape across the Global South presents both opportunities and challenges for the adoption of digital mental health solutions. Socioeconomic, cultural, and infrastructural factors significantly influence the accessibility and effectiveness of these technologies. Moreover, the interconnectedness of non-communicable diseases and mental health highlights the need for integrated solutions that address both issues simultaneously.

However, despite the potential of technology in mental health care, several barriers persist. Many digital solutions lack a strong evidence base, partly due to the rapid pace of technological development outstripping the time required to generate and validate clinical evidence. Regulatory hurdles, data privacy concerns, and disparities in digital access—particularly in rural areas—are additional challenges that must be overcome.

Moving forward, developing inclusive and affordable technologies—such as self-administered screening tools, telemedicine platforms, and AI-driven provision of self-help or low intensity psychological interventions and diagnostic aids—can help bridge these gaps and improve mental health outcomes globally. By overcoming barriers to adoption and focusing on inclusive, patient-centered solutions, the future of mental health care can be brighter and more accessible for all.

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