The pandemic exacerbated mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and loneliness by over 25%, as per a World Health Organisation report. Consequently, the social isolation pushed many toward digital resources, with metaverse technologies seeing over 90% increase in adoption, as per various reports.
In this article, we will discuss how virtual resources reshaped—and continue to do so—mental health issues and therapies.
Metaverse and Mental Health Therapy
The metaverse care model delivers digital therapy and provides a more life-like experience. It can be of great help in the following ways to combat loneliness. Many companies are working on developing innovative models in metaverse to make therapy sessions more successful and create real-life interactions.
The metaverse care model uses XR technology to create a natural environment. It has an intuitive design and depth of immersion that enhances the patient’s engagement. Additionally, it creates a more focused connection between the patient and the care provider.
The technology can be an excellent tool to help individuals suffering from phobias, addiction, psychosis, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder by gradually exposing them to fear, triggers, or trauma-producing agents in a safe environment. It can escape the stresses of life and evoke pleasure through dopamine secretion by our brain.
What does the future hold?
University College London is working on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) using Tend VR. It is a kind of in-human interaction in a virtual setting that effectively addresses the mental health issue. The innovative and novel approach helps patient with depression exhibit self-compassion and activate positive memory. Although research is ongoing to find the best way to deliver VR therapy, it has been shown to increase the positive outcomes of therapy.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/427930?ref=refind
https://www.deepakchopra.com/articles/is-the-metaverse-the-new-hope-for-mental-health/
https://www.gmw3.com/2022/05/can-metaverse-technology-improve-mental-health-treatment/
https://psychnoah.medium.com/mental-health-reimagined-in-the-metaverse-149376c433a
https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/advance-article/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdac049/6573753.
