More than 800,000 people die from suicide every year. A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research suggests that telehealth can be an effective mode of intervention. Telehealth, or telemedicine, refers to getting healthcare treatment without an in-person office visit. For this study, researchers at Brightside Health in Oakland, California collected data on almost 8,500 patients who received psychiatric care through their online platform. The telehealth psychiatric care consisted of 12 weeks of treatment, video consultations, messaging, and prescribed medication from psychiatrists. The researchers observed that their telehealth psychiatric treatment reduced suicidal ideation after 12 weeks. The patients were over four times more likely to have remission of their suicidal ideation than a control group. The authors believe that telehealth can improve symptoms and provide effective treatments to those struggling with their mental health.
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