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The use of e-mental health tools in the perinatal context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

Ana Fonseca Open the ORCID record for Ana Fonseca [Opens in a new window] ,
Elisa Mancinelli  and
Mariana Branquinho Open the ORCID record for Mariana Branquinho [Opens in a new window]
Ana Fonseca*
Affiliation:
Post-doctoral researcher in the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Elisa Mancinelli
Affiliation:
PhD student in the Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy and works at the Digital Health Laboratory, Centre for Digital Health and Wellbeing, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy.
Mariana Branquinho
Affiliation:
PhD student in the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
*
Correspondence Ana Fonseca. Email: ana.fonseca77@gmail.com
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Summary

E-mental health tools are a promising solution to reducing the high prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and addressing barriers faced by women seeking professional help. This article summarises the main e-health tools used in perinatal mental healthcare, including examples of evidence-based tools for assessment, prevention and treatment of such disorders. We also highlight the main characteristics of the development process of e-mental health tools, which are based on cognitive–behavioural therapy, as well as the ethical concerns to be considered with their use and integration in healthcare systems.

Keywords

Cognitive–behavioural therapye-mental healthperinatal mental healthscreeningtreatment
Type
Article
Information
BJPsych Advances , First View , pp. 1 - 9
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists

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