- The problem caused by mental health has positioned itself as the greatest adversity for governments around the world.
- One of its most common forms is depression and when it is not treated on time it can lead to deadly consequences.
- With the use of tools such as Artificial Intelligence and empathy, it is possible to offer support to patients.
The pandemic has intensified the deterioration of the mental health of the population, especially among adolescents. The triggers are multiple. Added to the increase in polarization and the lack of hours of sleep are the negative effects of social networks on self-esteem or the paradox that hyperconnectivity has caused the feeling of loneliness and isolation of human beings to have increased.
This cocktail matches a shortage of professionals and little knowledge of available treatments. Given this scenario, what can we do? The increase in disorders requires better preparation of health systems to address this priority problem. Also new methods focused on treating depression, schizophrenia or anxiety, but especially the design of a strategy to address this challenge from the perspective of communication.
Tips to take care of mental health
The report ‘Different realities that alter life: the global post-pandemic mental health crisis’, prepared by the LLYC Healthcare team, provides clues on how the communication strategies that companies and institutions must implement to coping with mental health disorders.
The essential ingredients are empathy and the use of Artificial Intelligence, effective communication to connect and overcome stigma and get the affected person to seek help.
Understanding to help: empathy and data. Understanding the reality that the affected people face and sizing the problem will help to understand the situation and will encourage the search for recommendations from health professionals and institutions. It is necessary to have empathy and knowledge.
In this context, it is more important than ever to analyze the conversation, listen to what those affected are saying and try to assimilate their perspective and experience of reality. In addition to applying Big Data and Artificial Intelligence solutions to analyze the social conversation and discover the concerns of those with this disease, it is important to go beyond social media and listen to people through interviews and personal interactions to understand their perspective. This allows you to gather relevant insights to create a narrative that connects, create personalized messages and transmit them through the appropriate channels.
Destigmatization: communication that opens the way to acceptance. Mental health is an issue that must be addressed frequently and transparently to raise awareness. It is essential that the campaigns are authentic and that they convey a message that connects with the needs of the audiences.
The global movement led by influencers and celebrities who seek to speak openly about mental health on their social networks following cases such as that of the gymnast Simon Biles, who withdrew from several events at the Tokyo Olympics, or that of Justin Bieber , which has canceled all its concerts, is an encouraging change that promotes vulnerability, the need to recognize the problem and seek help. What used to be a challenge for companies is now a great opportunity to connect with their audiences.
Effective multi-channel campaigns to build trust and drive help-seeking. Various studies indicate that 60% of people who need help do not ask for it. For this reason, it is essential to develop two-way and multichannel communication strategies with messages differentiated by audience and reliable information to guarantee access for all those affected to professional care and medicines that have developed therapeutic value.
Communication strategies must contemplate education, awareness and motivate action, towards the search for professional help. But also through advocacy projects that build trust between society, the medical community and health institutions.
Also read:
Consequences of sexism on women’s mental health
Impact of the pandemic on the mental health of medical personnel: These have been the most common symptoms
Mental health care, fundamental purpose for 2023 (and the following years)