Use of digital devices and applications by people with severe mental illness in Switzerland

Abstract

The care of people with severe mental disorders will have a digital component in the foreseeable future. Approaches such as blended therapy will also become increasingly important for this population. However, inclusion in such treatment approaches requires that people with severe mental disorders have the appropriate devices and use applications for health purposes. We conducted a survey among service users of a psychiatric rehabilitation provider in Switzerland. 68 service users (response rate: 27 per cent) took part in the study. The results show that smartphones are the most used digital devices (usage in the last 12 months: 88.2%). In terms of applications, WhatsApp is the most frequently used software. We conclude from our results that there is no longer any digital exclusion of people with severe mental disorders at the device level.