Hafsa Tahir 
Dec 31, 2023
In 2023, technology picked an unimaginable pace. While most of it was expected, its therapeutic role came as a pleasant surprise.
The marriage of technology and psychology is no longer a distant dream or a thing of the “future”. The human race is entering 2024 with a lot of technological advancements in the arena of mental health. The use of online therapy, for example, increased in 2023. Omdena identified a total of 34 startups that emerged in the past year that leveraged AI to transform mental health care. The use of apps to manage mental well-being also skyrocketed.
Tech vs mental health
Has this marriage helped? Apparently, yes. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2023, 80% of people who used mental health apps reported a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Another survey conducted in the same year and reported by Very Well Mind found that 70% of people who used online therapy reported a significant improvement in their mental health.
That’s not it. In addition, a study published in Current Psychiatry Reports in 2023 found that the use of telepsychiatry, which involves the use of videoconferencing to provide mental health care, is an effective and reliable form of care delivery. The study also found that the use of digital mental health startups is growing rapidly, with a global investment of $5.5 billion in 2021.
Overall, these surveys and studies suggest that the integration of technology and AI in the mental health arena has had a positive impact on people’s mental health, making it more accessible, convenient, and effective.
However, there is no denying that we have a long way to go. Researchers, health practitioners, AI enthusiasts, and serial entrepreneurs. are trying to answer several questions about accessibility, ethical considerations, tech education, and more.
Let’s dive into the details of how technology revolutionised mental health in 2023.
Mental health wearables in 2023:
The concept of wearables is not immediately acceptable to many. But when smartwatches came in and claimed to take care of your physical health, it was an alien idea but they soon became a lifestyle. Consumers are always sceptical in the beginning, which is great because that's how manufacturers improve products more and more. I am hopeful that is what will happen with mental health wearables as well.
These are devices that can monitor and improve your mental health and well-being by measuring various physiological and behavioural signals, such as heart rate variability (HRV), electrodermal activity (EDA), brain waves, sleep patterns, and mood. Following are some of the best mental health wearables in 2023 are:
Lief Device
A wearable patch that tracks your HRV and provides biofeedback training to help you reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It is designed specifically for mental health and is covered by insurance.
Apple Watch Series 8
A smartwatch that offers a modern design and tons of added features, such as blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, and fall detection. It also has a Mindfulness app that helps you practice meditation and breathing exercises.
Oura Ring
A ring that provides advanced sleep tracking technology and gives you personalised insights and tips to improve your sleep quality and circadian rhythm. It also measures your activity, temperature, and HRV.
WHOOP Strap 4.0
A fitness band that offers real-time stats tracking for athletes, such as strain, recovery, and sleep. It also has a Mood feature that lets you log your emotions and see how they correlate with your physiological data.
Garmin Vivoactive 4
A smartwatch that is ideal for athletes, as it has built-in GPS, music, and more than 20 preloaded sports apps. It also has a Body Battery feature that shows you your energy levels throughout the day and a Stress Tracking feature that alerts you when you need to relax.
Fitbit Charge 5
A fitness tracker that ensures easy user access, as it has a colour touchscreen, a long battery life, and a sleek design. It also has an EDA sensor that measures your stress response and a Daily Readiness Score that tells you when to work out or rest.
Mental health startups in 2023
Mental health startups are companies that use technology and innovation to improve the mental health and well-being of people. Following are some of the top mental health startups in 2023.
Minded
An online mental health service that specialises in treating women. They provide expert treatment and medication management sensitive to the woman’s situation and experience, including all aspects of her life, body, and mind at every stage.
Nue Life
A revolutionary service that brings ketamine therapy to a person’s mental health recovery. Their ketamine doses can be delivered to their home and are dissolvable tablets. They are legal and FDA-approved and, when combined with mood journals and other features offered by Nue Life, can help improve a person’s symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and much more.
Kintsugi
A voice-controlled app designed to bring you self-care whenever you need it. Talking aloud helps mitigate stress, and Kintsugi offers a smart, new way to work through any mental health needs that may arise, from goal planning to community support.
Top mental health apps in 2023
While mental health apps are not new, 2023 proved to be a year of success. As mentioned earlier, the usage increased and positive effects were seen as well. Here are some of the best mental health apps that shone bright in 2023:
BetterHelp
An evidence-based online therapy app that connects you with licensed and experienced therapists. You can communicate with your therapist via text, phone, or video sessions, and get personalised treatment plans and feedback.
Calm
A relaxation app that helps you sleep better, reduce stress, and improve your mental wellness. You can access hundreds of guided meditations, soothing music, bedtime stories, and mindfulness exercises.
Moodfit
An app that helps you combat negative thinking and improve your mood. You can track your mood, emotions, and behaviours, and learn cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to challenge your thoughts and cope with difficult situations.
Sanvello
A stress relief app that provides you with tools and resources to manage your mental health. You can practice self-care activities, join peer support groups, and access coaching and therapy services
Happify
An app that helps you boost your happiness and well-being. You can play games, watch videos, and read articles that are designed to improve your emotional skills and resilience
