---
id: "coronavirus-smarter-crowdsourcing:strategies/Improve-mental-health-data-collection-and-use-thro"
type: "GovLab policy strategy"
title: "Improve mental health data collection and use through technologies"
url: "https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/strategies/improve-mental-health-data-collection-and-use-thro"
summary: "Improve mental health data collection and use through technologies"
source: "The GovLab (coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org)"
licence: "Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)"
---

# Improve mental health data collection and use through technologies

Improve mental health data collection and use through technologies

- Timeframe: 3-6 Months (medium)
- Audience: Healthcare Providers
- Type: Data, Technology/Innovation, Capacity Building
- Recommendation: [Data and Technology](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/recommendations/data-and-technology)
- Part of: [Smarter Crowdsourcing in the Age of Coronavirus](https://coronavirus.smartercrowdsourcing.org/)

## Actions governments should take

1. [Invest in and promote the use of technologies like smart paper, phone apps, SMS surveys, that can be used by minimally trained/skilled workers to collect data and report it into open source or centralized platforms.](https://shifo.org/en/solution/)
2. Digitize mental health screenings by transitioning paper process to digital formats on tablets or smartphones
3. Develop an app for managing and tracking patients exercise, habits, and use of prescribed medications.
4. [Consider how different digital platforms like websites, smartphone apps, SMS, telephone hotlines or smart paper forms can be used to support data collection for mental health or behavioral health conditions.](https://shifo.org/en/solution/)
5. Consider ways to allow patients to report symptoms or conditions at regular intervals (e.g. every day, week, etc.), by setting alerts or reminders.
6. Consider ways to crowdsource data collection through the internet or smartphones, for example, by creating a means where individuals can flag associates that may be suffering from depression, suicidal ideation or who may be victims of domestic abuse.
7. Ensure that platforms that collect patient data offers concrete guidance, resources, and advice for what an individual should do given her/his reported symptoms (e.g. if you are thinking of hurting yourself call “XXX-XXXX”)

## Examples from around the world

1. [A smartphone application called MONARCA, allows the collection of data on bipolar disorder by allowing patients to self-monitor symptoms of bipolar disorder and to connect through an interactive feedback loop with clinicians.](https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/7/e003353.long)