Digital therapy

When around 11,000 people kill themselves in the country every year, psychologists have something to worry about, offering assistance to address the situation. High incidence of suicide is common in countries where people suffer from depression due to problems of career, money or family breakup. Deterioration in the people's mental health in our country is a matter of concern. Alarmingly, for example, in Satkhira district, as many as 367 unnatural deaths, mostly suicide, were recorded in 2018.
Reports say the majority of the suicide 'victims' were school and college students. That means, our youngsters too are suffering from frustration and depression. Psychologists believe many of these youth could have been motivated to lead a better life. They should be given consultation with professionals to bounce back even after failure. In the age of online, the youngsters can be provided with mental support as and when needed. At the moment of crisis, simple ventilation can help a youth evade a suicidal path and online platforms can offer such support that is psychotherapy until they sit for one-on-one meeting with psychologists. Online therapy is the delivery of mental health counselling via Internet. People also know it as e-therapy, distance therapy, Internet therapy and web therapy.
Md Rafiqul Islam
East West University, Dhaka