Early warning signs of a mental health tsunami: A coordinated response to gather initial data insights from multiple digital services providers

summary:

Introduction: The immediate impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on morbidity and mortality has raised the need for accurate and real-time data monitoring and communication. The aim of this study is to document the initial observations from multiple digital services providers during the COVID-19 crisis, especially those related to mental health and well-being. Methods: We used email and social media to announce an urgent call for support. Digital mental health services providers (N = 46), financial services providers (N = 4), and other relevant digital data source providers (N = 3) responded with quantitative and/or qualitative data insights. People with lived experience of distress, as service users/consumers, and carers are included as co-authors. Results: This study provides proof-of-concept of the viability for researchers and private companies to work collaboratively toward a common good. Digital services providers reported a diverse range of mental health concerns. A recurring observation is that demand for digital mental health support has risen, and that the nature of this demand has also changed since COVID-19, with an apparent increased presentation of anxiety and loneliness. Conclusion: Following this study, we will continue to work with providers in more in-depth ways to capture follow-up insights at regular time points. We will also onboard new providers to address data representativeness. Looking ahead, we anticipate the need for a rigorous process to interpret insights from an even wider variety of sources in order to monitor and respond to mental health needs.

DIGITAL SERVICES PROVIDERS listed here

co-author NAMES & AFFILIATIONS LISTED HERE

The original urgent call for support on the 6th April 2020 can be found here.

MOVING FORWARD: Details coming soon.

since our initial study, we’ve grown our team and are onboarding more providers (listed below) for follow-up work - some have recorded presentations for dimh2020:

  • ADoH

  • Apart of Me

  • Brain in Hand

  • Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust & Brunel University London

  • eQuoo

  • Financial Inclusion Group

  • Holmusk

  • Inia Health

  • Mayden

  • Noise Solution

  • RCube

  • Sentio Solutions

  • Stigma Statistics

  • SuperBetter

  • Thalamos

  • ThoughtFull

  • Vitalk

  • Woebot

  • Youper

  • more coming…

We will continue to follow-up our efforts by reaching out to our exisitng providers over time, by on boarding new providers, and capturing data insights in more rigorous in-depth ways. To join our international team effort please complete this form: