assistive technology and mental health - june 2016

Assistive Technology and Mental

HealthBDF Share

Technology and the relationship with Mental health

Mental Health and disability• Mental health can be the primary or

secondary disability for a person• Mental Health needs can be triggered

by a variety of issues including financial issues• Mental Health needs can be directly or

indirectly related to another disability

Technology and Flexibility• Working within an environment where the

triggers for anxiety are reduced • Agoraphobia• Panic Attacks

• Technology can assist us to build confidence• Technology can augment and enhance

human support

Evernote and Note taking

• Using storage and retrieval tools can be helpful• Reduces anxiety over maintaining

records • Reduces physical clutter and sense of

loss of control over the physical workspace

Wayfinding and Locations

• Reduces anxiety around changes of location• Can be used to share

location with colleagues or sources of support

Technology and Self Confidence • Iterative• Planning projects and tasks• Checking documents • Spelling • Grammar

• Reduces anxiety over errors

ClaroRead• Additional proofing tools • Allows anxiety over errors to be

further checked • Allows materials to be

represented in a secondary format seamlessly

XMind• Mindmapping allows visual organisation of thoughts• Planning • Organising • Sequencing

• Useful during periods of stress when maintaining a structure of work is a challenge

Technology and Isolation• From Bullying to Support• Links to Self Help • Social Communication in the workplace• Coping with change• New technologies can trigger alarms and

alerts as needed

Technology – a Scaffold• Technology can create a framework of

support around a persons mental health needs.