I’ve been reluctant to blog about the computerized therapy program being touted by NASA in the news to help their astronauts deal with depression and other mental health concerns while in space.

Computerized therapy has been available to anyone who wants it since the 1990s. In fact, there’s a good body of research supporting these programs and their effectiveness in the treatment of the most common mental disorders, such as depression. So in more than one way, this is not “news.”

The only two examples the article mentions is of issues with two astronauts on two separate missions. While one of the examples might be depression (hard to say, as it could’ve been symptomatic of a dozen different possible concerns), the other example is one of interpersonal conflict. Such conflict should’ve been detected in the dozens of mission prep meetings that occurred before the two were ever in space together, and handled with conflict resolution training. On the ground.

Is computerized therapy helpful? Yes, 15+ years of research has already shown that. Is it great that astronauts will have access to such a program? Yes, absolutely, anything that can help them deal with emotional issues while in space is a good thing.

I guess it’s “news” only because it’s a novel application for an existing treatment modality. But since such programs are already used in rural and remote areas (like Antarctica), I fail to understand the value of this kind of news to most people. An interesting random tidbit about a new use for an existing treatment? Sure. Revolutionary innovation in treatment that will help thousands? Probably not.

Read the full article: Depressed astronauts might get computerized solace

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 28 Oct 2008
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.