Disaster psychiatry in Asia: The potential of smartphones, mobile, and connected technologies

Kunmi Sobowale; John Torous

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2016.03.004

Disaster psychiatry in Asia: The potential of smartphones, mobile, and connected technologies

Asian J Psychiatr. 2016 Aug:22:1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.03.004. Epub 2016 Apr 11.

Authors

Kunmi Sobowale¹, John Torous²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: jtorous@bidmc.harvard.edu.

PMID: 27520886
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.03.004

Abstract

Disaster mental health is recognized as a crucial part of disaster preparedness and response. Despite the commonality of disasters in Asia, many countries face formidable barriers to a rapid and robust mental health care response. Mobile technologies can alleviate the immediate suffering and reduce onset of chronic conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. This article explores the role of mobile technologies to improve mental health before, during, and after disasters in Asia.

Keywords: Asia; Disasters; PTSD; Psychiatry; Smartphones; Technology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Asia
Depression / therapy*
Disasters*
Humans
Medical Informatics Applications*
Psychiatry / methods*
Smartphone*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*