Abstract:

Mental health and the elements that enhance or prevent it pose still many questions. In a world where we seem to have control over nature, mind is still beyond our command. There is no exclusive method to lead a conclusive healing practice, and internet seems to have an important role to lead. The twenty first century comes with a steady increase in the use of Internet for education, health practices, and patient recovery. The internet is widely use in medicine and has made an impact in research, training and patient care (Ajuwon, 2006). eHealth, a relatively recent term for healthcare practice supported by electronic processes and communication, is to have a leading role in health and educational practices.

The use of Internet is challenging traditional assumptions on teaching, and showing that even in the absence of any direct input from a facilitator, an environment that stimulates curiosity can cause learning through self-instruction and peer-shared knowledge. Self organised learning, mediation and the creation of informal assessment environments are some of the characteristics offered by Internet.

The variety of resources is breathtaking. A review of literature reveals the use of internet and electronic resources for patient care. Physicians use the internet and electronic information resources to obtain answers to patient-specific questions and to keep abreast of developments in clinical medicine (Thomsom, 1997; Koller et al., 2001). There are blogs and websites kept by doctors, associations, and patients that share their experience in order to emotionally alleviate their pain and help others with similar symptoms; online therapy institutes that coach professionals and e-letters that update the caretaker knowledge on the availability of new resources. Health care issues are included in Secondary Education Curriculum, and Secondary students are turning to internet as a private resource to interact with people afflicted by common syndromes, such as bulimia or anorexia, The continuous increase of information favours the routinely checking back of the electronic resource, when information is interesting to the user, securing the maintenance of the site. The increasing validation of internet as a health educational tool is supported by the increasing number of resources offered to the professional. Health students and professionals have the possibility to access continuing education credits for most mental health disciplines in countries such as the United States; social workers have access to courses that qualify for Registered Social Worker professional development in Canada, and there are courses for Certified Employee Assistance Professionals (CEAP) as well.

In our paper we will reflect on the role that electronic resources may have as a tool for healthcare practices, and their use for educational purposes.

Keywords:

Mental health, education, electronic resources.