Ask HN: How can tech help with mental health?
23 comments
There are probably some one-offs, like virtual therapy sessions.
But... my probably controversial opinion is that on the whole tech is absolutely destructive and net negative for mental health. Tech has incrementally destroyed social systems, degraded human connection, perverted people's perceptions of self and reality, and enabled the expansion of many addictive or destructive behaviors (porn, gambling, etc).
But... my probably controversial opinion is that on the whole tech is absolutely destructive and net negative for mental health. Tech has incrementally destroyed social systems, degraded human connection, perverted people's perceptions of self and reality, and enabled the expansion of many addictive or destructive behaviors (porn, gambling, etc).
Videochat therapy is OK as a stopgap, and it saves travel time, but it puts a barrier between the person and the therapist. If the patient doesn't need that barrier to go to therapy in the first place, then that distance may make the therapy less effective.
I built an app back in 2012 called iFeelio, which was a micro-journaling app akin to Twitter: 1) How do I feel? (Comma-separatee values) 2) What is happening? (140 characters).
I made about 4,000 entries over 4 years, it helped me so much and helped others as well in being more emotionally aware and honestc and resolve many conflicts in our lives.
You can see the demo at https://www.iFeelio.com, it still works, tho the app is obsolete now.
I made about 4,000 entries over 4 years, it helped me so much and helped others as well in being more emotionally aware and honestc and resolve many conflicts in our lives.
You can see the demo at https://www.iFeelio.com, it still works, tho the app is obsolete now.
Mental health was not the primary purpose, but I think the organization of online communities probably benefited a lot of people with niche interests or identities and introduced them to lifelong friends. Some of my IRL friends are people from the LiveJournal days.
Unfortunately, this has gotten more difficult as social interaction on the internet consolidates into either major social media sites or private Discord servers. If the community for something is on Twitter, everyone is thrown together into the same unmoderated space when they would really be served better by niches that can be moderated to exclude people who get unhinged about disagreements, and allow people to opt in and out of different types of content (i.e. the people who want to see deep dive lore analysis may not be interested in adult-oriented fanart and vice versa.) Discord servers can work for this, but unlike forum history, they're not Googleable and you might not even know a specific Discord exists.
Unfortunately, this has gotten more difficult as social interaction on the internet consolidates into either major social media sites or private Discord servers. If the community for something is on Twitter, everyone is thrown together into the same unmoderated space when they would really be served better by niches that can be moderated to exclude people who get unhinged about disagreements, and allow people to opt in and out of different types of content (i.e. the people who want to see deep dive lore analysis may not be interested in adult-oriented fanart and vice versa.) Discord servers can work for this, but unlike forum history, they're not Googleable and you might not even know a specific Discord exists.
Once upon a time Facebook told you about friends' parties so you could go out and have fun. It also told you your friends' "status," giving you something to ask them about when you see them.
That version of Facebook added to my social life and happiness so much! Unfortunately it didn't make enough money or something, and got turned into political ragebait and ads.
That version of Facebook added to my social life and happiness so much! Unfortunately it didn't make enough money or something, and got turned into political ragebait and ads.
I remember when a notification meant something I actually wanted to see.
According to this paper, talking to AI companions is helping reduce loneliness
"AI Companions Reduce Loneliness" (Harvard Business School, 2024)
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41613513
"AI Companions Reduce Loneliness" (Harvard Business School, 2024)
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41613513
Mental health apps don’t work. I’m extremely sceptical of any mental health app.
Definitely don’t trust any of those apps with your very personal data.
Tech is probably net negative for mental health. Best thing to do for mental health is walk and talk and healthy lifestyle.
Get off social media is probably a major boost people can take
Definitely don’t trust any of those apps with your very personal data.
Tech is probably net negative for mental health. Best thing to do for mental health is walk and talk and healthy lifestyle.
Get off social media is probably a major boost people can take
I have a site. It's 5-30 minutes of meditation. There's a little music and a repetitive voice. You track yourself and see if it goes up or down. The app levels you up to more minutes after a week of consistent use - we found that people were actually getting angrier, not calmer, if they could just start at 30 minutes.
It definitely works, we have the data because users submit it. But there's not much else to it. The goal of mental health apps should be to get people to not need them, similar to how dating apps are meant to not be used.
We haven't really found a business model for it yet. Pay what you like worked very well. Pay $25 for unlimited use was okay, but the cash barrier discouraged people from using it which went against the goal.
So it's not financially scalable yet, and because of that it's not VC backable and we can't focus on it full time. It's been up since 2018, and now costs $7/month in heroku fees, but hey, some people paid that $25 a few years back, so I'll have to keep it up for as long as possible.
The problem with VC backed is that it has to become unicorn and ends up using CBD or whatever BS VCs are into even where it's not necessary.
It definitely works, we have the data because users submit it. But there's not much else to it. The goal of mental health apps should be to get people to not need them, similar to how dating apps are meant to not be used.
We haven't really found a business model for it yet. Pay what you like worked very well. Pay $25 for unlimited use was okay, but the cash barrier discouraged people from using it which went against the goal.
So it's not financially scalable yet, and because of that it's not VC backable and we can't focus on it full time. It's been up since 2018, and now costs $7/month in heroku fees, but hey, some people paid that $25 a few years back, so I'll have to keep it up for as long as possible.
The problem with VC backed is that it has to become unicorn and ends up using CBD or whatever BS VCs are into even where it's not necessary.
Any app that brings you to a real life experience with people. I want there to be a site/app for global community sports, for example.
This is Strava
In general tech is extremely bad for mental health.
The best advice I have for people is to minimize computer use and get a dumb phone.
The best advice I have for people is to minimize computer use and get a dumb phone.
I don’t know if this helps anyone at all but
https://github.com/tg12/harmonyblocks
https://github.com/tg12/harmonyblocks
Mental health apps, NO. Apps help you connect with a therapist to have real conversations, YES.
Finch helped me more than I thought it would. It's nice when I meet someone else who uses the app and I get to add them as a friend.
I use Music Therapy to treat my mental illness. I listen to the Classic Rock station on Amazon Music.
Which mental illness do you treat with classic rock?
Schizoaffective Disorder
Cowbell deficiency, for one.
How can vodka help with alcoholism?
Prove me wrong, what are some examples you have seen of technology being useful to help in the mental health space?