Although some apps claim to address Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), as yet none can simulate the intensity of medical grade light boxes or have any research supporting their use. Additionally, therapists who use any apps to communicate with or monitor data from their patients are technically engaged in telehealth and should be aware of applicable laws, including HIPAA.
In October 2012, I wrote one of my very first blog entries for the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) on the topic of the American Red Cross and their support for military families. Seven years later and in honor of Military Family Appreciation Month, I want to take this opportunity to remind our readers of this very special organization and the great work that the American Red Cross carries out daily in support of America’s military and Veteran families.
I have been a Navy spouse for over twenty years. During that time, I have witnessed first-hand the changes experienced by military families in many aspects of their lives. While military families will always experience certain normative stressors, the tools they have to navigate these stressors is ever-changing. Experiences such as moving, frequent separations, deployment, and awareness of risks involved in military service are a common thread among families. However, the way these normative stressors are experienced, understood, and addressed continues to evolve.
The Internet has become an increasingly powerful form of information dissemination and communication media over the last two decades. Even more recently, the Internet has been leveraged for the treatment of a wide range of health-related problems. All the while, social media platforms have been increasingly used for the expression of suicidal thoughts and feelings. Despite this, little is known about the ways in which social media can be used for suicide prevention (Karras et al., 2018).
Help-seeking literature clearly identifies stigma as one of the primary obstacles to receiving behavioral healthcare services for both military and civilian populations. While several recommendations to reduce stigma associated with psychological help-seeking exist, the development and use of digitally-based services is frequently promoted as a strategy. This blog will specifically review the digital delivery of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia to highlight key findings and resources.