Classification of SmartMentalTech Services and Application for Comprehensive Mental Healthcare Stepped-Care Model (CMHSCM): Health Psychological Approach

Abstract

The study investigates the existing smart mental healthcare technologies and analyses the views of potential users in order to devise a comprehensive mental healthcare stepped-care model (CMHCSM) for managing individual preventive care or treatment. The development of various SmartMentalTech solutions may meet the growing demands in mental healthcare intervention and also overcome the limitations of traditional mental healthcare system regarding accessibility. South Korea and Japan have had a relatively high suicide rate and a rising prevalence of mental illness, with the prospect of using a category of products referred to as smart technologies in mental healthcare, hence SmartMentalTech. To investigate the application feasibility of a SmartMentalTech prototype for mental healthcare in South Korea and Japan, this comparative research examined various associated parameters. However, the rapid growth of mental healthcare technology may cause confusion among users regarding the best options to choose. To resolve this, a Health Psychological Approach was adopted and the comprehensive mental healthcare stepped-care model (CMHCSM) was applied. The findings of this study have thus classified 12 types of SmartMentalTech that have been applied to CMHCSM. In the choice of technology types, there were some differences between South Korean and Japanese users. The study concludes that SmartMentalTech should be promoted as an accompanying solution that is readily accessible for the users and describes the four steps of the stepped-care approach for comprehensive management. Further research in the form of an evidence-based analysis of the 12 types of smart technologies use in mental healthcare is recommended.