A new campaign for digital mental health and wellbeing has been introduced in Northern Ireland to provide individuals with self-help resources and tools for support.
Officially launched at the Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care conference on October 16, 2024, the campaign is a joint effort between the Department of Health and Digital Health & Care Northern Ireland.
The initiative includes a variety of mental health and wellbeing apps available on the Health and Social Care (HSC) Apps Library, covering topics such as anxiety, depression, stress, sleep, and meditation.
Addressing the launch, Mike Nesbitt, the health minister for Northern Ireland, highlighted the importance of utilizing digital innovation to deliver timely and personalized mental health assistance.
He emphasized the transition to a digital health and social care system, which aims to enhance choice, accessibility, and availability of mental health services alongside the traditional methods.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the HCS Apps Library was established in May 2020 to offer self-care and self-management tools to the citizens of Northern Ireland.
The strategic plan ‘Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031’ for Northern Ireland, published in June 2021, commits to developing and implementing a comprehensive digital mental health model to deliver services digitally.
Recent research by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, published in May 2024, suggests that digital mental health technologies are beneficial when used in conjunction with traditional therapy and medication.
Furthermore, a study conducted by NICE in September 2024 revealed that recommended digital therapies for mental health conditions have the potential to free up valuable NHS therapists’ hours compared to face-to-face therapy.
