Digital Mental Health - an Opportunity
Recent research highlights how digital technologies can enhance existing mental health services. In the UK people are eight times more likely to wait over 18 months for mental health treatment than physical health treatment.
Research from Bond at al explains how, as demand for mental health support grows, digital solutions offer compelling advantages. Digital mental health tools provide 24/7 accessibility, acting as stepping stones to traditional services while reducing stigma through anonymity. The concept of "poly-digital" approaches - where multiple digital tools address different aspects of wellbeing - creates an aggregation of marginal gains for users.
Perhaps most valuable is how digital platforms can collect high-resolution real-world data through ecological momentary assessment, enabling therapists to gain deeper insights into clients' patterns between sessions. This "digital glue" creates a more integrated experience where users can channel switch between digital and face-to-face support.
The blended care model could help address waiting list challenges while improving resource allocation. For the NHS, this research has important policy implications including:
How to regulate digital mental health effectively
How to incentivise the integration of digital tools into traditional mental health services
How to create the most effective commissioning model (eg national accreditation, national vs regional contracts, outcome‑based blended tariff vs activity vs block payments)
Reimbursement pathways for "poly-digital" support
When and how to invest in digital literacy and workforce transformation
How to collect and use real-world data to encourage data-driven mental health service planning
The Digital Healthcare Council continues supporting members to ensure digital health and care policies are developed with evidence-based methodologies that align with NHS transformation goals.