Aside from traditional and well-known approaches in the assessment and treatment of depression, both clinicians and patients are facing an increasing number of innovative solutions resulting from developments in technology. Since 1959, telepsychiatry has paved the way for current achievements in the provision of mental health care in remote areas. The rapid development of the internet and mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, has allowed new solutions to emerge, capable of increasing accessibility and quality of care. Relevant qualified mental health care is not always best provided in person. Video-conferencing, mobile mental health applications and web-based solutions are changing early detection, prevention, assessment and treatment of various mental health conditions, including depression. Promotion of mental health and psychoeducation through the increasing use of telecommunications technology should help in the fight against stigma as professionals in health care accept and adopt the new approaches offered by this technology.
Keywords: e-mental health, telepsychiatry, apps, internet, web-based solutions, mobile devices, general practice