Our goal is to “think differently” about how behavioral health disorders can be prevented, diagnosed early, and/or managed to improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
As part of our ongoing work, we are always tracking new care models, clinical research, and technologies that can be applied to substance use, anxiety and depression.
Some areas of particular interest are technologies that can AUGMENT clinician efforts – such as predictive analytics, digital screening and treatment tools, precision medicine, mobile applications, online communities, virtual reality education, digital biomarkers, and more.
While we prefer face to face contact there are several obstacles to getting treatment for behavioral health disorders.
- The stigma prevents people from seeking help
- Many people often don’t recognize conditions (96% of those with an addiction don’t think they need help, many don’t recognize signs of depression, substance abuse, etc.)
- It’s only after a crisis that many will seek help, but don’t know where to go
- There is a severe shortage of practitioners and wait times are weeks and sometimes months
- Insurance often does not cover treatment
Digital tools can be used in the privacy of your own home 24/7.
Anywhere, anytime screening tools, stories from young people themselves via multimedia, and treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and tele-psychiatry are all examples of digital tools that address some of these obstacles.
These modalities can be the “on ramp” to face to face treatment modalities and can provide solutions where capacity and access is limited.
