Digital Mental Health : Findings of a Desktop Horizon Scan for Global Leaders & Digital Innovation Opportunities

Scotland has had some success in introducing digital innovation in mental health through the national adoption of computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) and some software applications to support aspects of mental wellbeing e.g. Sleepio. To further address key challenges contained within the ‘Mental health transition and recovery plan’ (2021), a national Digital Mental Health Programme Board has been initiated. As part of its portfolio of activity, the Board aims to use lessons learned from Scotland’s previous innovation experiences, to identify additional digital innovation opportunities to support the recovery plan [1]. A Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster is being introduced as part of this activity. In 2021, the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) received funding from the Scottish Government to develop and lead the innovation cluster. The funding is being used to establish a post and facilitate activities/events to support the identification, development and spread of small, successful digital, innovation projects in mental health in Scotland. The cluster will build collaboration opportunities and knowledge exchange between academic, business, clinical, practitioners and end-user sectors. The aim of this report is to provide “a horizon scan” of global leaders and best practice in digital mental health, and to identify new and emerging technologies that may contribute to the work of the digital mental health innovation cluster. The DHI has previously researched digital mental health practices in the UK for the purpose of supporting national activity, including early information on the NHS England Global Digital Exemplars programme, MoodCafe, use of Near Me/Attend Anywhere video consulting and a large number of applications that can be viewed in the ‘Review of Current Use of Digital Solutions for Mental Health’ report (2020) [2]. Solutions identified in this previous research are not included in this report to avoid duplication and to focus more on the digital innovation aspect.