Mental health psychology: 4 current trends

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a global spotlight on psychology and mental health in general – social isolation, anxiety, financial uncertainty, grief and loss were just some of the mental health issues spurred on by the pandemic and its ramifications. 

It’s no surprise then that the demand for psychologists has increased significantly since the start of the pandemic, and individuals’ and governments’ attitudes towards mental health have shifted. 

As a global society, perhaps now more than ever, we are embracing mental health as a vital element of our overall human health and wellbeing. 

Definition of psychology 

Psychology is essentially the scientific study of the human mind and human behaviour.  

It’s a complex and diverse discipline that spans many areas, such as emotions, personality, biology and cognition. Likewise, its application can span many areas also, including clinical psychology, developmental and educational psychology, and criminal psychology. 

Current trends in mental health psychology 

Here are 4 current trends in mental health psychology that will continue to signal an urgent need for mental health services and psychologists in the years to come: 

1. Reimagining work and the workplace 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst in transforming workplaces and the way many people around the world work.  

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns in many countries, workers in droves found themselves shifting workplace from the office to their living room, and sharing their home workspace with their families or friends.  

This prompted many employees to re-evaluate their work/life balance. According to the American Psychological Association (APA)’s 2021 Work and Well-being Survey, 59% of employees reported prioritising their mental health became more important to them since the pandemic began.  

Consequently, this has spurred what has been labelled the ‘Great Resignation’, with research by Microsoft suggesting around 41% of employees worldwide are considering leaving their current employers. 

In response, employers are increasingly offering employees flexible working options, such as working from home and hybrid working. 

This trend has brought on challenges for employees and employers alike, as the line between work and personal life often becomes increasingly blurred, more time at home can mean more time in an unsafe environment for some, and individuals and organisations attempt to navigate what have increasingly become new ways of working. 

2. Breaking the stigma 

Talking about mental health has historically been a taboo subject for many people around the world. But in recent years, there has been a spike in people in the public eye going public with their struggles with mental health.

World-renowned athletes, actors, singers and royals have opened up about their mental health issues and struggles, using their fame to inspire others to do the same and destigmatise mental health. 

Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health helps to give people a more comfortable and safe space – free from discrimination or shame – in which to seek help from psychologists and open up about their mental health challenges. 

3. Children’s mental health 

The urgent need for children’s mental health services has become increasingly apparent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – the APA reported mental health-related emergency department visits rose by 24% for children aged between 5 and 11, and 31% for children aged 12 to 17 during the pandemic. 

This alarming trend in children’s mental health is expected to be exacerbated by the climate crisis, with its adverse impacts anticipated to fall disproportionality on communities already socially and economically disadvantaged. 

Additionally, parents, carers and teachers around the world are increasingly seeking support from mental health professionals in dealing with issues related to children in their care, such as bullying, learning and developmental issues, social media use and peer pressure.  

4. Telehealth services 

The COVID-19 pandemic also played the catalyst for another global trend – telehealth. 

Telehealth (a portmanteau of ‘telecommunication’ and ‘healthcare’) is essentially the provision of health services to patients via communications technologies such as phone, video conferencing and messaging applications. It enables patients to conveniently access healthcare services and connect with healthcare professionals remotely, where a face-to-face consultation isn’t necessary or feasible. 

The popularity of telehealth during the pandemic, and the way it enabled convenient access to health professionals from home, especially for those in remote communities, has meant even in a post-pandemic world, telehealth appears here to stay. 

According to the APA, 96% of psychologists surveyed reported telehealth is effective therapeutically, with 97% reporting it should remain post-pandemic. Additionally, they reported the number of clinicians that use telehealth with at least some of their patients continues to grow, from 33% in 2020 to 50% in 2021. 

With more psychologists offering telehealth services and virtual sessions, there will continue to be greater access to care for individuals seeking help with their mental health struggles. 

How can an MSc Psychology help you keep up-to-date with trends? 

With an MSc Psychology, you’ll explore the complex field of psychology and the current and emerging trends in the field.  

Mental health psychology is just one of the areas you could train to go into following our MSc Psychology. Core topic areas covered during the course include biological, social, developmental, cognitive, individual differences and research methods in psychology. 

You’ll examine the biological mechanisms underpinning human behaviours, and explore both the cognitive and biological explanations of processes linked to human perception, language, learning, memory, and emotions. 

As an MSc Psychology graduate, you’ll be equipped to understand and anticipate trends in psychology, and empowered to make a positive impact in people’s lives and in society: