DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH: THE FUTURE IS NOW

Over a decade ago, we foresaw the imminent arrival of the digital health era. Yet, it wasn't until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that this future truly took shape. The pandemic became a catalyst, seamlessly integrating a spectrum of digital tools into clinical practice, fundamentally transforming the way mental health services were delivered. The inclusion of digital health technologies in our arsenal is not merely an addition; it's a revolutionary shift. These tools are pivotal in enhancing care accessibility and significantly augment our capabilities in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare delivery, transcending national borders. Telemedicine and clinical systems enabled by the Internet are widely accessible and are beginning to affect the dynamics between doctors and patients, with this trend expected to continue in the future. Telemedicine consultations have become so ubiquitous that they are now routinely conducted via broadband Internet systems hosted in the cloud. This has enabled professionals from various fields within mental health (MH), including psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and career counselors, to offer e-therapy services.