Mobile health for mental health

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

  • This strategy can help residents access health services. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Program overview

  • Uses text messaging and mobile device applications to deliver health care services
  • Supports individuals with mental health concerns
  • Interventions include education information, automated reminders, and supportive messages
Strategies
Increasing access to health care
Cost per Participant
Not available

Evidence and impacts

Strong

Ranked as having the second-highest level of evidence by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps

  • Improved mental health, particularly short-term anxiety and depression-related outcomes

Best practices in implementation

  • Note: This content is under review
  • Ensure that any mobile health application ensures data privacy and safety for patients.
  • Early stages of implementation should include government, medical, and application developers to streamline data sharing between apps and local health information systems and facilitate greater use by end users.
  • Barriers to recruitment are patients’ fear of technology failure, difficulty in adapting to and using the technology, dependence on professional supervision, and lack of personalized care.
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