Wearable tech for mental health showcased

Article Source: https://www.charitydigitalnews.co.uk/2019/06/07/wearable-tech-for-mental-health-showcased/

Accessed from the world wide web at 17:00 hrs on 11.06.19.

New wearable technologies designed to help people cope with mental health issues were showcased to the public in an event held in Lancaster, UK to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week.

The event, organised by Lancaster University research team AffecTech, was born out of a four year research initiative that’s developing new digital tools to help people with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

Attendees included representatives from Mind and Anxiety UK and professionals from the health and technology sectors.

Established with support from the European Commission’s research and innovation agency, AffecTech targets advancing self-understanding and successful technologies to regulate emotions for those with depression, anxiety, and bipolar.

The wearable technologies help people with mental illnesses capture their emotions, and develop strategies for regulating them.

Leading the AffecTech project, Corina Sas, Professor of Digital Health at Lancaster University said: “This was an enjoyable opportunity for public and professionals to learn more about, and have hands-on experience of new wearable technologies for mental health that we are developing here in Lancaster.”

“Affective disorders, such as stress, depression and bipolar conditions, are estimated to be among the highest-ranking causes of disease by 2020. The potential social impact of wearable health devices for people with these disorders is vast because emotional awareness and regulation are invaluable for daily functioning.”

“Our project marks a significant shift from current wearable technologies that capture emotional responses that then need interpreting by health professionals, towards low-cost self-help technologies for visualising, exploring and regulating emotions that people may be able to use in their daily lives.”