Mental Health in the Digital Age, written by distinguished international experts, comprehensively examines the intersection between digital technology and mental health. It provides a state-of-the-art, evidence-based, and well-balanced review and is a valuable guide to an area often shrouded in controversy.
This second edition of this highly impactful book examines the intersection of mental health and digital technology to make informed decisions about the new options provided by digital technology. It highlights the rise in online therapy and social media and examines the ethical dilemmas involved in online research to suggest that the benefits created far outweigh the possible risks. This expanded and updated second edition, includes practical suggestions for clinicians and public, builds upon the first by updating readers on recent developments in technology and research in this area since 2015. It explores ways in which governments and practitioners responded to the mental health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and looks at the challenges as well as the benefits of our increasing interaction online.
"Mental Health Awareness in the Digital Age" is an indispensable guide that sheds light on the intersection of mental well-being and the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This insightful book delves into the profound impact of technology on mental health, offering a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities that arise in the digital age. From the influence of social media on self-esteem to the therapeutic potential of digital platforms, the author navigates the complex relationship between mental health and our increasingly interconnected world. Drawing on both research and personal narratives, this book serves as a timely resource for individuals seeking to understand, navigate, and promote mental well-being in the modern era. It encourages a thoughtful examination of the digital tools at our disposal, emphasizing the importance of fostering a healthy balance between technology use and mental health.
Social Support and Health in the Digital Age discusses how theinformation age has revolutionized nearly every facet of human communication—from the ways in which people purchase products to how they meet and fall in love. These exciting new communication technologies can both unite and divide us. People who are separated by great distances can now communicate with each other in real time, whereas parents often find themselves competing with smartphones and tablets for their children’s attention. This book explores the many ways that digital communication media, such as online forums, social networking sites, and mobile applications, enhance and constrain social support in health-related contexts. We already know a great deal about how the Internet has altered how people search for health information, but less about how people seek and receive social support in this new age of information, which is critical for maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
In times of uncertainty and crisis, the mental health of individuals become a concern as added stressors and pressures can cause depression, anxiety, and stress. Today, especially with more people than ever experiencing these effects due to the Covid-19 epidemic and all that comes along with it, discourse around mental health has gained heightened urgency. While there have always been stigmas surrounding mental health, the continued display of these biases can add to an already distressing situation for struggling individuals. Despite the experience of mental health issues becoming normalized, it remains important for these issues to be addressed along with adequate education about mental health so that it becomes normalized and discussed in ways that are beneficial for society and those affected. Along with raising awareness of mental health in general, there should be a continued focus on treatment options, methods, and modes for healthcare delivery. The Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment explores the latest research on the newest advancements in mental health, best practices and new research on treatment, and the need for education and awareness to mitigate the stigma that surrounds discussions on mental health. The chapters will cover new technologies that are impacting delivery modes for treatment, the latest methods and models for treatment options, how education on mental health is delivered and developed, and how mental health is viewed and discussed. It is a comprehensive view of mental health from both a societal and medical standpoint and examines mental health issues in children and adults from all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds and in a variety of professions, including healthcare, emergency services, and the military. This book is ideal for psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, religious leaders, mental health support agencies and organizations, medical professionals, teachers, researchers, students, academicians, mental health practitioners, and more.
In today's fast-paced digital world, where social media updates, news alerts, and a deluge of digital content vie for our attention, the profound impact on our mental well-being cannot be overstated. "Mindful Media: Navigating Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age" dives deep into the psychological effects of our digital habits, shedding light on issues such as anxiety, depression, and addiction that can stem from our relationship with media. Backed by extensive research, personal narratives, and expert insights, "Mindful Media" offers a nuanced understanding of how our digital behaviors can shape our mental health. This book provides practical strategies and actionable advice to empower readers to navigate their digital lives with greater mindfulness and intentionality. By fostering a conscious approach to media consumption, the book helps individuals reclaim control over their well-being in the digital age. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of cultivating a balanced digital environment that promotes mental health. Through compelling case studies and real-life examples, the book vividly illustrates how digital media can either harm or heal, depending on how it is utilized.
Proven, practical steps, definitions, causes, and solutions to manage the risks and make the technology work for you—not the other way around. Growing research shows that we as a society have a social media dilemma: social media use has a dark side, including elevated risk of depression and anxiety. But avoiding negative outcomes is not the only reason to educate ourselves about the pitfalls and learn to avoid them. Preserving the benefits of responsible social media engagement is also payoff worth pursuing. Learn to:Assess your own vulnerabilities to social media useLearn to recognize when apps begin to take a toll on your mental healthChoose best practices to minimize risksAnd much more!This incredible resource book is packed with statistics, definitions, risks, and practical advice that you can apply to your life immediately. Arm yourself with the awareness to keep your mind and spirit healthy despite the addictive quality of various apps and sites. Discover:The latest research on social media and mental healthDangers posed by excessive or imbalanced use of social media12 negative consequences to public health and wellbeing20 questions to self-assess whether social media is problematic for you7 signs to check your mental health7 tips for a technology detox9 strategies for healthy use of social mediaKey Features:Trustworthy: Filled with up-to-date research, this solid resource provides the most recent case studies on social media useEasy to Read: Packed with summaries, checklists, and bullet lists, it's never been easier to digest practical and informative researchPractical: Includes tips to make social media work for you rather than work against youEasy to Carry: Compact, lightweight, and easily fits in your hand, purse, and bag
This essential book shows practitioners how they can engage with teens' online lives to support their mental health. Drawing on interviews with young people it discusses how adults can have open and inquiring conversations with teens about both the positive and negative aspects of their use of online spaces. For most young people there is no longer a barrier between their 'real' and 'online' lives. This book reviews the latest research around this topic to investigate how those working with teenagers can use their insights into digital technologies to promote wellbeing in young people. It draws extensively on interviews with young people aged 12-16 throughout, who share their views about social media and reveal their online habits. Chapters delve into how teens harness online spaces such as YouTube, Instagram and gaming platforms for creative expression and participation in public life to improve their mental health and wellbeing. It also provides a framework for practitioners to start conversations with teens to help them develop resilience in respect of their internet use. The book also explores key risks such as bullying and online hate, social currency and the quest for 'likes', sexting, and online addiction. This is essential reading for teachers, school counsellors, social workers, and CAMHS professionals (from psychiatrists to mental health nurses) - in short, any practitioner working with teenagers around mental health.
Technology and Adolescent Health: In Schools and Beyond discusses how today's adolescents are digital natives, using technology at home and in school to access information, for entertainment, to socialize and do schoolwork. This book summarizes research on how technology use impacts adolescent mental health, sleep, physical activity and eating habits. In addition, it identifies monitoring and screening technology-based tools for use with adolescents.
The Internet and related technologies have reconfigured every aspect of life, including mental health. Although the negative and positive effects of digital technology on mental health have been debated, all too often this has been done with much passion and few or no supporting data. In Mental Health in the Digital Age, Elias Aboujaoude and Vladan Starcevic have edited a book that brings together distinguished experts from around the world to review the evidence relating to this area. The first part of the book addresses threats resulting from the growing reliance on, and misuse of, digital technology; it also looks at how some problematic behaviors and forms of psychopathology have been shaped by this technology. This section reviews problematic Internet and video game use, effects of violent video games on the levels of aggression and of online searches for health-related information on the levels of health anxiety, use of digital technology to harm other people, and promotion of suicide on the Internet. The second part of Mental Health in the Digital Age examines the ways in which digital technology has boosted efforts to help people with mental health problems. These include the use of computers, the Internet, and mobile phones to educate and provide information necessary for psychiatric treatment and to produce programs for psychological therapy, as well as use of electronic mental health records to improve care. Mental Health in the Digital Age is a unique and timely book because it examines comprehensively an intersection between digital technology and mental health and provides a state-of-the-art, evidence-based, and well-balanced look at the field. The book is a valuable resource and guide to an area often shrouded in controversy, as it is a work of critical thinking that separates the hype from the facts and offers data-driven conclusions. It is of interest particularly to mental health professionals, but also to general audience.