Using Telehealth for Mental Health Appointments

What does telehealth mean?

How is telehealth supporting mental health in Australia?

1. Increased access to services: Telehealth enables people in remote or rural locations to connect with mental health providers who may not be available locally. This is critical in a country as large as Australia, where many people live in physically isolated areas. 
2. Convenience and flexibility: Patients may get mental health therapy from the comfort of their own homes, minimising the need for travel and time away from work or other commitments. This convenience encourages more individuals to seek assistance when necessary. 
3. Timely interventions: Telehealth provides access to mental health practitioners faster during crises or emergencies. This quick intervention can help to avoid the progression of mental health difficulties and lessen the burden on emergency services. 
4. Continuity of treatment: Telehealth allows patients to maintain frequent contact with their mental health practitioners, maintaining continuity of treatment even when in-person visits are not feasible due to practical constraints or exigencies. 
5. Reduced stigma: Some people may feel more at ease discussing delicate mental health concerns online, which helps alleviate the stigma associated with seeking treatment in person. 
6. Easy access: Telehealth facilitates access to specialised mental health care, such as consultations with psychiatrists or psychologists who possess unique knowledge that may not be available locally. 
7. Support for remote communities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as other marginalised groups, benefit from telehealth because it provides them with culturally appropriate mental health care tailored to their specific requirements. 

Is telehealth for mental health effective?

The benefits and challenges of telehealth for mental health

Benefits:

1. Accessibility: Allows people in rural or underdeveloped regions to get mental health care without having to travel significant distances. 
2. Convenience: Patients can plan visits at times that are convenient for them, reducing disturbances to their daily lives and work. 
3. Continuity of care: Enables continuing support and follow-up care, which is critical for managing chronic mental illnesses. 
4. Reduced stigma: Offers a quiet and confidential atmosphere for treatment, encouraging people to seek assistance without fear of being judged. 
5. Specialised care: Provides access to specialists and providers with specialised skills that may not be available locally. 
6. Emergency response: Allows for quick actions in crisis or urgent circumstances, potentially minimising hospital admissions or emergency department visits. 
7. Improved monitoring and results: Telehealth systems frequently offer capabilities for tracking symptoms, medication adherence, and progress over time, allowing for improved treatment results and modifications as needed. 
8. Cost-effectiveness: By lowering overhead costs connected with physical facilities, telehealth reduces healthcare costs for both clinicians and patients, making mental health care more accessible and sustainable. 

Challenges:

1. Technological barriers: Not everyone has access to stable internet connections or telehealth-compatible equipment. 
2. Therapeutic relationship: Building rapport and evaluating nonverbal signs might be more difficult with a screen, reducing the quality of the therapeutic relationship. 
3. Regulatory and legal issues: Compliance with rules governing licensure, reimbursement, and telemedicine practice standards vary by country and healthcare system 
4. Clinical limitations: Certain mental health conditions or emergencies may need in-person assessment or intervention, which telehealth cannot completely support. 

How to make the most of a telehealth session for mental health?

1. Prepare ahead: To stay focused, write out your issues and goals ahead of time.
2. Create a comfortable environment: Select a quiet, secluded setting with few interruptions. 
3. Test technology: Make sure your device, camera, and microphone all operate properly to avoid disruptions. 
4. Be honest and open: Discuss your ideas, feelings, and any changes in symptoms with your provider. 
5. Ask questions: Address any concerns you have about your treatment plan, drugs, or coping skills. 
6. Engage actively: Stay focused on the session, take notes as needed, and take part in any activities or exercises advised by your therapist. 
7. Follow-up: Schedule follow-up consultations as needed and practice any tactics mentioned between sessions.