Have you been diagnosed with, or have symptoms of depression? Access internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) through your Discovery Health App

Digital Therapeutics are a new class of evidence-based therapeutic interventions delivered online and recommended by a healthcare professional.

The Discovery Health digital mental health care solution (delivered in partnership with Silvercloud® by Amwell and registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority) gives you access to innovative, internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) technology.

-SilverCloud® is an award winning, on-demand digital mental health and wellbeing platform with proven impact across more than one million users worldwide. Find out more.

What is internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you to better understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Studies show that CBT is the best way to treat various psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety. It is usually offered face-to-face in a therapy session and guides you to make positive changes that are proven to reduce symptoms and increase your overall wellbeing. It also helps to prevent you from having a relapse.

CBT has been used successfully for many years and is now also available online in the form of internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT). And, evidence shows that, to treat depression and anxiety, iCBT is just as effective as CBT that is delivered face-to-face.

-Ongoing platform data shows that approximately 65% of SilverCloud users experience significant improvements and 56% of users diagnosed with symptoms of depression or anxiety were diagnosis-free within three months of using the platform.

Who can use the Digital Therapeutics for Mental Health available on the Discovery Health App?

Digital Therapeutics (DTx) for Mental Health is available to you if you are a Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) member who is 18 years or older. This mental health tool is most suitable if you have a diagnosis or symptoms of mild to moderate depression, or depression with anxiety.

Just like medicine and some treatments, the DTx available on your Discovery Health App must be recommended for you by your GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist. This can be via enrolment onto the Mental Health Care Programme, out-of-hospital treatment of a prescribed minimum benefit, or by direct request from your health professional.

How do you access DTx on your Discovery Health App?

Once your treating health professional has prescribed DTx, you will receive an invitation via email from SilverCloud. Simply open your Discovery Health App and go to the 'My health' section. Then, click on the 'Silvercloud' tile.

You will then have access to various interactive modules that are personalised according to your specific needs, such as:

• An iCBT course focussed on helping you to combat depression or depression with anxiety.
• A bonus wellbeing course to help you with resilience, sleep and coping with stress.

You will also have access to:

• Personal supporters to guide you through the modules, offer technical assistance, and encouragement throughout your course completion.

You can work through the course modules at any time that is convenient to you and real-time information will be shared with your treating healthcare professional so that they can track your progress.

How does payment work for the DTx service?

This digital course is funded from any benefit where psychotherapy is covered, subject to benefit approval and availability.

Where benefits are available and once your course is activated, iCBT will fund as follows:

• One (1) psychotherapy consultation from the Out-of-Hospital treatment of a Prescribed Minimum Benefit
• R1850 from the allocated Rand amount for psychotherapy from the Mental Health Care Programme basket of care
• R1850 from day-to-day benefits
• iCBT is funded as a once off cost which provides 12-month access to your SilverCloud course.

Convenient therapy for mental wellbeing

Good mental health is an important part of your overall health and wellbeing. Now, with Digital Therapeutics for Mental Health on your Discovery Health App, you can improve your mental wellbeing conveniently, in the comfort of your own home.

Not sure how good your mental health is? Find out now by taking the Mental Wellbeing Assessment on your Discovery Health App

Learn more about mental health by exploring our Mental Health Hub.

Not sure how good your mental health is? Find out now by taking the Mental Wellbeing Assessment on your Discovery Health App.

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