Internet Behavioral Health Services May Encourage More to Seek Treatment

On the heels of Surgeon General David Satcher's recent report on mental health, Epotec, Inc. said it has developed a new type of Internet-based mental health service that addresses the key barrier to reaching people with such problems: the stigma associated with mental disorders.

By providing secure, anonymous access through the Internet, Epotec, a Wilmington, Del.-based developer and marketer of Internet-based employee assistance and behavioral health services, said more people would seek treatment for dozens of problems ranging from depression to suicide prevention to substance abuse.

"The stigma associated with mental disorders is disheartening but very real. The barrier must be removed if people are to seek the treatment they need," said Richard Flanagan, chief clinical officer of Epotec. "Epotec's secure, anonymous Internet-based gateway to these services effectively dissolves the stigma barrier."

Epotec combines technology with psychotherapeutic and educational techniques to provide comprehensive and affordable behavioral health-care services, the company said. It markets its online services to health-care organizations and employee assistance programs (EAPs), which in turn provide access to their subscribers and employees.

In addition to providing help through interactive programs, Epotec's system serves as a gateway through which users can learn about important health benefits information, the company said. Employers and health-care organizations can reach more employees with cost-effective help and information; and psychologists and other health-care professionals can access clinical, professional and industry information necessary to manage their practices.

Epotec offers more than 75 programs in mental health, personal development and communication skills. More than 200 new programs are planned for release during the next nine months in parenting and childcare, health and wellness, management and supervision, and aging and eldercare. Epotec's services are provided in partnership with major healthcare companies and EAPs including United Behavioral Health, CIGNA Behavioral Health and many others.