You Are Not Alone
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is focused on helping to raise awareness about mental health, provide support, educate the public, fight the stigma, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. This year’s primary message and theme for promoting mental health awareness is, You are not alone - A reminder that mental health struggles and conditions are common and support is available.
The Technology First movement has gained momentum in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a technology vendor, we are excited to see that practitioners in the field of mental health and dual diagnosis have begun exploring enabling technologies and apps as natural supports. As a result, people with behavioral health concerns have the tools they need to live more independently, learn new self-care skills, and manage their health routines.
How Enabling Technology Can Benefit Mental Health
The benefits of enabling technology include:
Addresses a variety of safety outcomes while creating opportunity for practicing self-care skills or behavior redirection.
Provides 24/7 alerts to direct and natural supports for real-time response when needed.
Helps individuals stay connected with friends, family, and their community.
Integrates apps, off-the-shelf technologies, and customization to empower choice, dignity of risk, and independence.
Reduces the stigma of mental illness by supporting self-management of behavioral health needs and outcomes.
SimplyHome Enabling Technology Supports For Individuals Diagnosed with Mental Health Illness
At SimplyHome, we provide the following enabling technology solutions:
Ring Video Doorbell with Speaker
The individual and the support team can see who is at the door via app and speak to the person without opening the door. The support team can supervise this in real-time via the app and offer remote or onsite support/redirection.
How It Benefits Mental Health: The individual has a choice in who enters the home, which ultimately empowers them.
Face-to-Face Video Communication
With Face-to-Face Video Communication, the support team can get a visual on how the individual is doing. The support team can supervise this in real-time via the app and offer remote or onsite support/redirection.
How It Benefits Mental Health: The individual can proactively access support when and if needed in order to address concerns or engage in socialization.
Medication Dispenser
The medication dispenser provides reminder notifications to the individual and correct dosage at scheduled time. It also alerts the support team if the dose is not accessed.
How It Benefits Mental Health: The person is able to take their medication on their own, further providing a feeling of empowerment.
Customized Sensor System Offering Prompting and Alerts
The SimplyHome Customized Sensor System alerts the support team 24/7 if a routine or activity is forgotten (like turning off the stove) or when an outcome might be unsafe (leaving the home at 2am). The customized prompts can cue the person to the correct routine, activity or behavior prior to alerting the support team.
How It Benefits Mental Health: This creates an opportunity for choice and learning self-management skills, while also reinforcing skills related to independence, self-care, and problem-solving.
Personal Emergency Response Systems or Panic Pendants with a Wireless Sensor System
The Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) alerts a call center and/or support team directly when help is needed in real-time and can be triaged quickly. The alerts go to someone who knows the individual and can provide targeted support for the situation.
How It Benefits Mental Health: The individual can self-determine when they need help or support.
Wearables and Apps
The technology alerts the individual and/or support team when vitals change or when data indicates change in mood/behavioral status. This creates an opportunity for proactive identification of mood changes, and behavioral triggers.
How It Benefits Mental Health: Wearables and apps help individuals follow strategies/ for addressing behavioral needs and priorities; including proactive skills like meditation, breathing, and problem-solving.
Enabling technology is a critical tool that can be used to proactively monitor for changes in behavior, connect individuals safely to their support network, and allow for dignity of risk and self-determination. You are not alone in your mental health journey.
Want to learn more about how enabling technology can help you or a loved one live a life of independence and self-determination?