Smartphones to the Rescue: How Digital Tools Can Help Teens in Crisis

The number of young people taking their own lives is on the rise. This is a serious issue. It shows that there is a need for better ways to support these teens. Smartphones are everywhere these days. They can be used to understand what puts a teen at risk of suicide. They can also help keep the lines of communication open between teens and their therapists. The Vira digital behavior change platform is one such tool. It includes a smartphone app for patients and a web-based portal for practitioners. This portal is called Vira Pro. It combines data from the smartphone with secure communication tools. This means that therapists can see how a teen is doing in real life. They can then provide support exactly when it is needed. But here is the thing. Just having a tool is not enough. It needs to be useful and acceptable to those who will use it. That is why it is important to involve teens, therapists, and even business people in the design process. They can provide valuable insights. They can help make sure the tool meets the needs of those who will use it. Teens today are always connected. They use their smartphones for everything. So, it makes sense to use this technology to help them. But it is not just about the technology. It is about how it is used. It is about making sure it is helpful and not just another app collecting dust. The Vira platform is a step in the right direction. It shows how technology can be used to support mental health. But it is just one piece of the puzzle. More research and development are needed. The goal is to find the best ways to use technology to help teens in crisis.