Transitioning to E-Health Platforms for Mental Wellness: The Need for Data-Driven Contemporary Solutions for Professionals

In the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of individuals has become a critical issue. This paper aims to highlight the need to provide traction to e-health apps considering the constraints of traditional methods of mental wellness. The authors conducted a primary research study by conducting semi-structured interviews focusing on users of mental health apps. 70 working professionals who were mental health app users in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) of Pune city in Maharashtra, India, were selected using a purposive sampling technique. By conducting semi-structured interviews, we explore the opinions and effectiveness of mental health apps in promoting employee well-being during the post-pandemic period. Our study reveals detailed insights into how these apps have helped users manage stress, anxiety, and despair while pointing out limitations and areas for improvement. By highlighting the opinions of app users, this research adds to our knowledge of how virtual interventions can promote mental health even in a post-crisis period. Based on the findings of this study, a model is proposed for leveraging the digitally enabled e-health platform to promote the mental wellness of employees.