Choosing the Right Digital Mental Health Partner: The Questions That Matter Most (5/7)

Within the digital mental health space, there seems to be an overwhelming list of options when it comes to providers creating an environment that is difficult to navigate. More specifically, it’s difficult to decipher higher quality, safer options versus those options that may use creative language to create the illusion of quality.

It is imperative that you are equipped with the right knowledge and approach when vetting these options and identifying the partners that provide the best fit for both strategy and quality. A great way to get started or reset your approach is to make sure you’re asking the right questions to help you better understand what type of service and support is actually being provided when you look to expand your mental health support network.

The fifth blog in this series is about languages.  If you missed any of the earlier pieces, they are available here. Additional ones are coming soon.  

5. Ask for a document summarizing case-examples for handling of escalations.

Supporting individual users/members at risk requires a professionally nuanced understanding of each case.

For example, involving emergency services for a welfare check can have a significant emotional and psychological effect on an individual. If such action is not required, it can cause unnecessary distress or even harm. Licensed clinicians are specifically trained to weigh these consequences and make informed decisions about whether escalation is appropriate. Asking for details of case-handling can help you to understand if the company is generically claiming support or if they have already considered these questions.  These are things that AI and volunteers cannot do.

Within this context, the importance of trained clinicians having the skills and tools to effectively de-escalate situations cannot be overstated. The ability to reduce risk without resorting to emergency intervention is key to the impact of a digital mental health service. This level of expertise cannot be fully replicated by AI or trained volunteers, and I feel like de-escalation is a critical component of the service Togetherall provides.

This is the fifth in a seven-part series on choosing the right digital mental health partner. If you want the complete set of questions in one place – without waiting for each post – the full guide is available to download now.

About Togetherall   

Established in 2007, Togetherall is available to more than 20 million individuals worldwide. Togetherall is the leading clinically managed, peer-to-peer, online support community where members can share what’s on their minds, anonymously, safely, and in-the-moment, 24/7/365. Members can connect through shared lived experiences with a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of more than 50 licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. These clinicians empower individuals in peer support and foster and maintain a safe, vibrant environment.  

If you are interested in offering safe and scalable ways to support your people’s mental health, contact us to book a demo and learn more about Togetherall’s online community.