The introduction of technology in mental health is transforming the way mental health services are delivered, particularly in Europe. Digital tools, such as mobile health (mHealth) applications and telepsychiatry platforms, contribute to improving access to services and facilitating patient monitoring. While technology has opened new possibilities, it simultaneously highlights challenges related to skills and access to digital solutions, especially in Europe.
The use of mental health technologies in Europe has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure survey by the European Commission (2021), 64% of Europeans reported having used some form of mental health application or digital tool. These applications range from stress and depression management programs to teletherapy systems that enable interaction with psychologists and psychiatrists.
However, the adoption of these technologies is not uniform across Europe. For instance, research shows that in Northern European countries such as Sweden and Finland, the rate of usage of mental health applications is significantly higher, reaching 74%, while in Southern European countries such as Italy and Spain, it hovers around 45%. These differences reflect the general diffusion of digital technology and digital literacy in the respective countries.
Despite the progress made, a significant portion of the European population still struggles to use digital mental health tools. According to the European Commission Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) in 2022, about 40% of European adults have low levels of digital skills, which hinders the effective use of digital health services.
Specifically, statistics show that 33% of individuals with mental health issues in Europe state that they lack the necessary knowledge or familiarity with digital technologies to use mental health applications, while 25% report feeling uncomfortable with the technology due to a lack of support.
Additionally, older adults and those with lower incomes face even greater barriers. In Europe, 22% of individuals over 55 years old do not use digital health services at all, according to Eurostat (2021). In countries like Greece and Portugal, this percentage is even higher, reaching 35%.
One of the main issues emerging with the use of mental health technologies is the concern over data security. In Europe, 55% of users of mental health applications are worried about the protection of their personal data, according to the European Health Survey (2020). Information security is a top priority for digital health service providers, as they must ensure that user data is encrypted and protected under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In this context, the MENTAL MOBILE HEALTH project plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with mental disorders across Europe. This program focuses on developing user-friendly mobile health (mHealth) applications that facilitate access to critical mental health services and empower users to manage their conditions independently.
The MENTAL MOBILE HEALTH project aims to reduce the barriers to adopting technology by providing educational tools and support for both users and healthcare professionals. The goal is to bridge the digital divide and enhance digital literacy, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults or individuals with low digital skills.
With this contribution, MENTAL MOBILE HEALTH offers a sustainable solution for improving mental health through mobile health technologies and helps users fully leverage the potential of digital solutions.
