The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is also able to make a contribution to his or her community.
Mental health is far more than the absence of serious long-term mental illness. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem, which could happen to anyone of us.
Mental health is considered to be one of today’s mega-trends. No wonder – approx. 10 % of the population is suffering from mental health problems in a way that prevents them from participating in our post-industrial information-centric societies.
As a result, the demand for help is rapidly increasing while the supply remains limited. As in other healthcare areas technology may be able to help close the increasing service gap.