Ask HN: How can tech help with mental health?

8 points · Gooblebrai · 2 days ago

I ask this because I'm very skeptical of mental health apps and most of the mental health startups around the scene. Feels like technology is not specially useful to tackle this, more human-centric, issue.

Prove me wrong, what are some examples you have seen of technology being useful to help in the mental health space?

14 comments

idontwantthis · 9 minutes ago

Any app that brings you to a real life experience with people. I want there to be a site/app for global community sports, for example.

giantg2 · 1 days ago

There are probably some one-offs, like virtual therapy sessions.

But... my probably controversial opinion is that on the whole tech is absolutely destructive and net negative for mental health. Tech has incrementally destroyed social systems, degraded human connection, perverted people's perceptions of self and reality, and enabled the expansion of many addictive or destructive behaviors (porn, gambling, etc).

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jimkleiber · 17 hours ago

I built an app back in 2012 called iFeelio, which was a micro-journaling app akin to Twitter: 1) How do I feel? (Comma-separatee values) 2) What is happening? (140 characters).

I made about 4,000 entries over 4 years, it helped me so much and helped others as well in being more emotionally aware and honestc and resolve many conflicts in our lives.

You can see the demo at https://www.iFeelio.com, it still works, tho the app is obsolete now.

purple-leafy · 9 hours ago

Mental health apps don’t work. I’m extremely sceptical of any mental health app.

Definitely don’t trust any of those apps with your very personal data.

Tech is probably net negative for mental health. Best thing to do for mental health is walk and talk and healthy lifestyle.

Get off social media is probably a major boost people can take

lostdog · 1 days ago

Once upon a time Facebook told you about friends' parties so you could go out and have fun. It also told you your friends' "status," giving you something to ask them about when you see them.

That version of Facebook added to my social life and happiness so much! Unfortunately it didn't make enough money or something, and got turned into political ragebait and ads.