AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ADOLESCENT TELEMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN BATANGAS

Abstract

The practice of telemental health has been around the globe for more than five decades. Yet its utility only grew in the country due to the disasters and the pandemic that started in 2020. Due to the growing concern about adolescents' mental health, the authors decided to conduct the study to assess adolescent telemental health services in the province. The goals of the study are to explore the different areas of concern of both adolescent clients and mental health professionals about the use of telemental health, to measure their satisfaction with the current use of telemental health, to develop guidelines that suit the needs of both groups in the use of telemental health; and to evaluate and revise the guidelines based on the satisfaction of both groups.  The researchers used a mixed-methods approach, specifically an exploratory sequential design with two phases. For the satisfaction survey, nine domains were identified for the professionals, which are Convenience, Depression/Anxiety, Time Limit, Similarity with Face-to-Face, Confidentiality, Internet Connection, Power Supply, Competence, and Ethical Guidelines Integration and 12 domains for the adolescent clients which are Frequency, Positive Experience, Psychological Wellness, Telemental Health Platform, Session Duration, Actionable Plans, Getting the Root Cause of Problems, Privacy, and Confidentiality, Service Satisfaction, Satisfaction on the Practitioner, Formulation of Solution, and Competency of Practitioner. Upon measuring the satisfaction of both groups, the researchers created guidelines to ensure satisfaction. Phase 2 investigated the change in the satisfaction of telemental health users and concluded by revising the guidelines.