Mental Health and Well-Being Support for Individuals Living With Skin Conditions: A Global Landscape Analysis of Patient Needs and Current Resources

Abstract

The impact of skin diseases can be devastating, encompassing physical symptoms such as bumps, rashes, hyper- or loss of pigmentation, redness, itch, pain and scarring. The consequences on mental health and well-being are often more detrimental, impacting the ability to conduct routine daily activities and engage socially. Given the prevalence of dermatological conditions, it is critical that resources are available to address these needs. We conducted a review of dermatology patient advocacy groups and health organizations’ websites to determine what types of resources to support mental health and well-being currently exist globally for individuals with skin conditions and identified 26 websites featuring resources such as sections dedicated to providing mental health information, programs on mental health topics and coping strategies, peer support forums, and counselling. Clinical trials and observational studies have demonstrated that many of these tools improve key mental health and well-being-related symptoms. In order for new and existing resources to be effective on a global scale, they should be delivered through methods that are sensitive to a spectrum of mental health-related stigma, and cultural beliefs. In parts of the world where individuals value privacy above openly speaking about one's feelings, or where smartphone adoption is ubiquitous (i.e., Europe, South-East Asia), digital health resources might hold the most potential for uptake. In regions such as Africa, and remote and rural Western Pacific, task-shifting, a process whereby laypeople are trained by health professionals to deliver community-based interventions, may be a promising format given mental health professional shortages. To provide optimal support for the mental health and well-being of those around the world with skin conditions, future efforts should focus on evaluation of the patient benefits offered by existing resources, and their adaptation and expansion to befit other world regions, and align with varied cultural needs and beliefs.