Mobilizing digital technology to implement a population-based psychological support response during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lima, Peru

Janeth Santa-Cruz · Leydi Moran · Marco A Tovar · Jesús Peinado · Yuri Cutipé · Lourdes Ramos +6 more

16 citations0/0 files storedCambridge Prisms Global Mental Health

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Digital Mental Health Interventions Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation COVID-19 and Mental Health

Abstract

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused considerable burden on mental health worldwide. To address this emergency in Peru, Socios en Salud (SES) implemented an innovative digital system for the diagnosis and psychological therapy in vulnerable populations. We describe the development, implementation, and participant outcomes of this intervention. Methods We conducted an intervention in a general population of Lima, Peru using a digital tool, ChatBot-Juntos, incorporating the abbreviated Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) to screen psychological distress. Participants positive for psychological distress received remote Psychological First Aid (PFA) and grief therapy if needed. Participants with a mental health condition or safety concern were referred to mental health services. SRQ scores were collected 3 months after PFA sessions. Differences between screening and follow-up scores were compared using Wilcoxon sign-rank test. Results In total, 2027 people were screened; 1581 (77.9%) screened positive for psychological distress. Nine hundred ninety-seven (63%) people with psychological distress received PFA, and 320 (32.1%) of those were also referred for mental health care. At 3 months after follow-up, SRQ scores were collected for 579 (58%) participants. Significant reduction in SRQ scores was observed 3 months after PFA [median SRQ score changed from 9 to 5 (p < 0.001)], and after PFA plus referral to mental health services [median SRQ score changed from 11 to 6 (p < 0.001)]. Conclusion Digital technology can be used to screen for psychological distress and deliver mental health support for populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. More research is needed to determine whether technology contributes to improved mental health outcomes.

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2017Delivering Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Young Adults With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using a Fully Automated Conversational Agent (Woebot): A Randomized Controlled Trial 2021The growing field of digital psychiatry: current evidence and the future of apps, social media, chatbots, and virtual reality 2016Mental health status of people isolated due to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome 2009Long-term psychiatric morbidities among SARS survivors 2004Psychological Effects of the SARS Outbreak in Hong Kong on High-Risk Health Care Workers 2021Ecological momentary interventions for mental health: A scoping review 2020Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Depression: Descriptive Study of Usage 2021The Impact of a Digital Intervention (Happify) on Loneliness During COVID-19: Qualitative Focus Group

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2024Development and Pilot-Testing of an Optimized Conversational Agent or “Chatbot” for Peruvian Adolescents Living With HIV to Facilitate Mental Health Screening, Education, Self-Help, and Linkage to Care: Protocol for a Mixed Methods, Community-Engaged Study 2025Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Digital Interventions for Anxiety and Depression in Latin America: A Scoping Review 2025“Like Someone Is Paying Attention to You, Listening to You, and Guiding You”: Acceptability of a Mental Health Chatbot Among Caregivers of Adolescents Living With HIV

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