Virtual Therapy Connecticut

Data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Connecticut indicates that just under 600,000 adults in the state have a diagnosed mental health condition. including chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. This number is more than 4-times the population of New Haven, the state’s third most populated city. Of added concern, is that about 154,000 Connecticut adults have a serious mental illness, and that nearly one-in-six CT youth between the ages of 12-17 experience a major depressive episode each year. While current reports suggest that Connecticut may be one of the country’s healthiest regions, mental health is unequally experienced across the state. A New Haven-based research organization’s latest community well-being survey of CT adults found that approximately 20% of respondents describe their wellbeing as “fair” or “poor,” with the figure being higher among low-income residents, parents, residents with disabilities, and those previously incarcerated. Those experiencing mental health issues report facing barriers to accessing care. NAMI confirms this, stating that 870,000 Connecticut residents live in a community without adequate access to mental health professionals. The latter is in reference to accessing general clinicians, with potentially a greater gap in accessing clinicians who offer specialized counseling services – namely those associated with impulsive behaviors relating to digital activities. This is explored in the section below.

Using Technology to Overcome Tech Addictions

“A recent survey of Connecticut residents showed that 46% of residents buy things online with the sole purpose of making themselves feel better.” (Connecticut ABC affiliate, WTNH)

Technology addiction is one of the fastest growing threats to public health in the Constitution State. This is particularly concerning when considering that Connecticut has a significant student population (primary users of digital media). The state is served by major systems like the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), which enrolls over 100,000 students, alongside large private universities like Yale University and the University of Connecticut (UConn), with total state enrollment around 513,000 students. Problematic behavior regarding engagement with digital activities (referred to as digital dependencies) has compromised the wellbeing of this student population in addition to other vulnerable and at-risk residents. These issues include the following:

• Problematic online gambling behavior: Data indicates that about approximately 17% of CT’s student population is categorized as having at least a moderate level of problem gambling.
• Problematic use of pornography: National studies suggest that up to 7% of adult Americans meet the criteria for problematic use of pornography, which equates 201,600 adult residents in CT.
• Problematic online trading behavior: National studies suggest that 8% of investors meet the criteria for compulsivity regarding online trading. This issue is compounded by the arrival of the new “hybrid” form of online gambling and trading – known as prediction market trading which contains features that mirror sports betting.
• Unhealthy video gaming: National studies suggest around 3-5% of gamers experience issues with unhealthy gaming.
• Problematic online shopping behavior: A recent survey of Connecticut residents showed that 46% of residents buy things online with the sole purpose of making themselves feel better.
• Dependencies on artificial intelligence: While more research needs to be done as the ubiquitous use of AI in daily life evolves, early indicators suggest that Connecticuters need to be more mindful of their dependency on AI.

As a virtual counseling platform, Kindbridge leverages technology to treat all of the above. Counseling specific to each issue is available to any Connecticut resident with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop (everyone). Click or call to connect right now.

Successfully Treating Cooccurring Issues

A number of mental health concerns cooccur with technology addictions. Whether you struggle with one or more of these as cooccurring (w/ problem tech use) issues or they are standalone concerns, we will help.

Anxiety	ADHD
Bipolar Disorder	Chronic Anger + Irritability
Depression	OCD
PTSD	Substance Use Disorder