Mental Health in the Digital Age

Abstract

Hayes reviews Mental Health in the Digital Age by Sheri Bauman & Ian Rivers.

1. Mental Health in the Digital Age Author: Sheri Bauman & Ian Rivers Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, London, UK Year of Publication: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-349-56654-9; eBook: 978-1-137-33317-9

It is undeniable that we live in a digital world of enhanced connectivity and ease of communication. In the UK alone 90% of people have either their own digital device or access to public devices. In recent years, however, global mental health has declined. 450 million people across the globe have a diagnosed mental health disorder; in a given year it is predicted that 25% of UK adults will experience a mental illness, 20% of US adolescents and 13% of US 8-15 year-olds. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that across Europe 25-35% of people have a mental disorder in a given year. Despite this, approximately 60% of adults and 50% of young people do not receive treatment for these illnesses. The negative implication of this upon wellbeing can be long-term and detrimental to society as a whole.

Sheri Bauman and Ian Rivers address the current mental health climate in terms of risks and opportunities within the digital world. Addressing the topic head on they discuss the practicalities of treatment whilst systematically evaluating the literature as well as incorporating case studies illustrating key points. This makes the book applicable to mental health practitioners, service providers and academics. Divided into ten chapters, the content covers:

1. An overview of mental health in the digital age providing statistics and an understanding of the general background in this field;

2. Mental health information seeking behaviours online identifying the opportunities for access to health information yet the risk of finding inaccurate or hypochondria information;

3. The diverse availability of online mental health treatments as well as the risks of irresponsible use and negative communities;

4. Considerations for ethical research;

5. A general overview of the risks online across developmental stages with suggestions for enhancing resilience;

6. The risks and opportunities of social networking sites;

7. The benefits of social connectedness online and the positive impact of this upon wellbeing;

8. The uniqueness of virtual worlds;

9. Opportunities for developing and manipulating the self-online and the potential repercussions of these behaviours;

10. A conclusion with further questions to consider.

A theme of balancing the pros and cons of the digital age is present throughout the book. The availability of information online provides a valuable resource for users seeking health information. Search engines as well as community groups and trend tracking allow users to actively investigate or openly explore health topics. This can be particularly beneficial in a variety of ways. For those seeking quick reassurance, a Google of symptoms can provide knowledge and practical information at hand subsequently enhancing autonomy and a lesser strain on public healthcare. Further, those with specific health disorders can find a community online for discussion and support easing loneliness that individuals can often feel when diagnosed. Bauman and Rivers explore the growing popularity of online support groups both with synchronous (everyone present at the same time) and asynchronous (posts, responses and threads over time) designs. Direct communication with a trained professional in the digital environment can occur through online therapy sessions. Reducing privacy concerns and anxieties of being spotted en route to a clinic can make these types of sessions appealing. Communicating online can also be effective in terms of virtual worlds and virtual reality. Immersing users can enhance opportunities for exploration of the self, theory of mind, empathy and efficacy. Particularly when incorporated within treatment schemes such innovative methods provide unique opportunities that simply cannot be replicated offline. Benefits are also evident within the opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving and community building. Particularly for those experiencing loneliness or depression these platforms provide communication and community involvement. Social connectedness online is emphasised within this book as a particularly beneficial aspect of the digital world, particularly with the use of social networking sites. Regardless of financial or geographical status, users are able to connect and communicate with great ease. This is particularly important for stigmatized or vulnerable groups such as the homeless, disabled and elderly. Overall, these benefits provide insight into the great breadth of opportunity that the digital world provides. Those already suffering with poor mental health have many options for treatment and support, whilst those with typical metal health may be less likely to suffer.

Bauman and Rives recognise the prominent risk antonymous with these benefits. The ethical considerations of the online world lack clarity within many current ethical guidelines. Bauman and Rivers discuss the ethical grey area of ethnographers online as well as the difficulties of ethical procedures, such as informed consent, debrief, etc. Investigating symptoms online can be inaccurate by the user resulting in false information, as well as information provided being from an unreliable and unknowledgeable source. Those with hypochondria may exacerbate concerns. Communities online can be damaging if promoting unhealthy lifestyles. Damaging communities are particularly problematic in terms of mental health treatments online. Risks of ill-use, such as trolling, and the fostering of dangerous behaviours, such as pro-ana communities, are mostly evident in the absence of a professional support leader. Incorporating professionals within these communities allows for appropriate support and accurate information to be disseminated. Of course, with the vastness of the internet this is not always possible. One-to-one communication with a professional, such as online therapy sessions, can be ineffective due to the lack of interpersonal interaction. Therapists require nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expression, timing, etc which can be more difficult to detect through a camera. This sense of distance can also encourage disinhibition from the user which can often occur during virtual immersion. Playing games online as well as excessive social networking site use can blur awareness of the self-resulting in a warped perception. This can have a negative impact upon self-esteem. Engaging with the online world can also be developmentally risky. Inappropriate content, interaction with strangers, poor esafety practices, sexting/revenge porn and experiences of cyberbullying can expose vulnerable groups to poor wellbeing and long-term mental health difficulties. Developing resilience is discussed as a potential buffer to these risks but is acknowledge by Bauman and Rivers as requiring further consideration and development.

Throughout these risks and benefits, Bauman and Rivers incorporate case studies to illustrate key points. As well as this, the practicalities are discussed with suggestions being provided to aid practitioners. For example, keeping up-to-date with the latest technologies, settings, practices and terminology can help practitioners with the ever-evolving digital world. Furthermore, small tips and tricks can be particularly useful when bridging the online and offline worlds. Such as placing a box of tissues and a glass of water near the camera within online therapy sessions mimicking the friendly yet also professional environment of a clinic. This information is particularly effective in bringing the discussion to life. Particularly within the digital age, where many concepts can appear rather abstract, these practical suggestions encourage the reader to think realistically about the role of mental health within the digital age.

The digital age is a new era providing opportunities for all individuals regardless of social and cultural barriers. Bauman and Rivers orchestrate a comprehensive discussion leaving the reader pensive yet innovative of opportunity. In their conclusion, they outline eight questions they believe require further consideration. These questions are embedded within sociological frameworks of our generation, digitization and awareness of impact. Encouraging theoretical discussion regarding mental health in the digital age is important in understanding its impact. What Bauman and Rivers achieve particularly successfully in this book is their ability to apply these theories to the realities of the online world. Anyone from a professor, to a clinician, to a parent can gleam tips and usefulness from this book.

Beatrice Hayes

Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK