Nearly one in five Americans suffer from mental illness each year, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Digital therapeutics are becoming increasingly important in the US as a way of dealing with a shortage of mental health professionals . One example of companies developing such technology is Learn to Live , which uses cognitive behavioural therapy - based online programmes to help people cope with problems including depression , anxiety and insomnia . Meanwhile , start - up NightWare has developed a smartwatch app that monitors breathing and heart rate when a person is asleep and begins to vibrate when it detects high stress levels . A third company , HabitAware , is using a wearable device to help people with compulsive disorders .
Digital therapeutics are becoming increasingly important in the US as a way of dealing with a shortage of mental health professionals . One example of companies developing such technology is Learn to Live , which uses cognitive behavioural therapy - based online programmes to help people cope with problems including depression , anxiety and insomnia . Meanwhile , start - up NightWare has developed a smartwatch app that monitors breathing and heart rate when a person is asleep and begins to vibrate when it detects high stress levels . A third company , HabitAware , is using a wearable device to help people with compulsive disorders .