The healthcare industry, like many other industries, has started iimplementing Web3 technologies to better serve those in need. Now healthcare services even show up in the metaverse, specifically for those seeking mental health care.
Cointelegraph spoke to two program executives from metaverse peer-to-peer mental health support group Innerworld about how the metaverse can change the next generation of mental health care services.
Connectivity is an inherent feature of virtual environments, as is the ability to connect with more anonymity through the use of avatars and usernames. Noah Robinson, the platform's CEO and founder, said on the mental health care scene: "This helps people open up more and be more vulnerable, which in turn leads to faster healing."
He went on to say that unlike traditional therapy sessions, which often have limited access, metaverse-based sessions allow people access to "an entire community full of caring, empathetic people" who are available 24 hours a day. day, 7 days a week.
"Democratizing access seems to allow people to access mental health help when they need it, however much they need it."
According to the CEO of Innerworld, the platform underwent three years of clinical research, with more than 20,000 hours in beta before launch.
Innerworld chief strategy officer Jewel, also known for her career as a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, said her mental health journey began as a teenager and she wonders what it's like today for kids like her.
She told Cointelegraph that when she started looking at virtual reality, she quickly realized that it could be used as a tool to provide peer support, using methods such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Tools.
"The potential was great โ we actually had a system that could scale and deliver deep mental health intervention."
There are already other Web3 tools like artificial intelligence, robots and blockchain They have been said to be the building blocks of the next generation of healthcare. Now, the metaverse's promises of peer-to-peer and connectivity add another layer of support for those who need it.
Related: The Ethics of the Metaverse: Privacy, Ownership, and Control
Jewel said this allows platforms like Innerworld to start testing scaling tools, which are typically only available in a doctor's office, along with scaling activities and mental health experts.
"I think it's going to be the biggest disruptor in a positive way for the mental health space."
According to data collected by Innerworld on user participation in their metaverse-based support groups, users have experienced a "significant decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety."
In academia, professionals have said mental health support is a prime industry for decentralization.
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