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Family-focused therapy (FFT) is associated with enhanced outcomes in youth with bipolar and depressive disorders, but has not been evaluated in conjunction with mobile health tools. In symptomatic adolescents whose parents had histories of mood disorders, we examined whether the effects of telehealth-based FFT were augmented by mobile health apps that emphasized mood tracking and family coping skills.

Despite improvements in the United States population's health in the last 25 years, significant disparities in mental health care outcomes persist for those with common mental disorders. Related to health technology, the “digital divide” has been described as the differences in the level of access to basic technology hardware (such as mobile phones) or broadband Internet. Previously, there were differences in access to devices between racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups; however, that divide has largely closed. The focus of technology growth recently has been on the use of these devices in the form of mobile apps, sensors, and predictive analytic approaches. In this article, we explore the background of health disparities and social determinants of health as well as the potential risks and opportunities represented by the new types of digital technologies that are being created. Despite improvements in the United States population's health in the last 25 years, significant disparities in mental health care outcomes persist for those with common mental disorders. Related to health technology, the “digital divide” has been described as the differences in the level of access to basic technology hardware (such as mobile phones) or broadband Internet. Previously, there were differences in access to devices between racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups; however, that divide has largely closed. The focus of technology growth recently has been on the use of these devices in the form of mobile apps, sensors, and predictive analytic approaches. In this article, we explore the background of health disparities and social determinants of health as well as the potential risks and opportunities represented by the new types of digital technologies that are being created. [[Psychiatr Ann.2019;49(5):215–219.]

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy), an intervention that attenuates exteroceptive sensory input to the nervous system, has recently been found to reduce state anxiety across a diverse clinical sample with high levels of anxiety sensitivity (AS). To further examine this anxiolytic effect, the present study investigated the affective and physiological changes induced by Floatation-REST and assessed whether individuals with high AS experienced any alterations in their awareness for interoceptive sensation while immersed in an environment lacking exteroceptive sensation.