Virtual Mental Health Solutions: A Promising Avenue for Mild to Moderate Symptoms
Virtual solutions for managing depression and anxiety have shown positive results for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms, according to a recent analysis by the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI). The independent evaluator of digital health solutions conducted an extensive review of over 5,000 articles, collaborated with clinical advisors and experts, and interviewed individuals experiencing depression and anxiety to assess the clinical effectiveness and economic impact of various mental health solutions.
Categories of Mental Health Solutions Evaluated
The PHTI analysis focused on three primary categories of mental health solutions:
- Self-guided solutions: Digital content that individuals can access and work through independently. Examples include AbleTo, Dario, Headspace, Learn to Live, Meru Health, SilverCloud, Talkspace, and Teladoc.
- Prescription digital therapeutics: FDA-cleared digital programs requiring a prescription, such as DaylightRx and Rejoyn.
- Blended-care solutions: Comprehensive programs combining virtual care teams with digital content, offered by companies like AbleTo, Brightside, Headspace, Koa Health, Lyra, Meru Health, Modern Health, Spring Health, Talkspace, and Teladoc.
Key Findings
The analysis revealed that:
- Self-guided solutions led to clinically meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms for those not already in therapy, resulting in decreased net spending for commercial payers.
- Prescription digital therapeutics demonstrated significant clinical improvements when used in conjunction with other treatments and could potentially yield savings if they reduce therapy frequency.
- Blended-care solutions showed larger clinical benefits compared to the other categories but current pricing models, which charge all employees an access fee regardless of usage, drive up overall healthcare spending for employers and health plans.
Recommendations for Improvement
To increase adoption and effectiveness of digital mental health solutions, PHTI recommends:
- Conducting more comparative studies to establish clearer efficacy
- Improving engagement rates among users
- Implementing outcomes-based payment models to better align costs with results
The report comes at a critical time as the U.S. grapples with a mental health crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic saw a significant surge in depression and anxiety rates, with the U.S. spending approximately $240 billion on these conditions in 2020.
As employers consider incorporating these solutions into their benefits packages, PHTI suggests negotiating lower prices for blended-care solutions and guiding users towards more affordable treatment options when appropriate. By doing so, employers can potentially see lower healthcare spending per user and improved productivity, making virtual mental health solutions a valuable component of comprehensive employee benefits.
