Positive Computing and Designing for Mental Health

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Research and development of technologies that support psychological well-being and human potential have far-reaching implications for psychiatry. In this brief podcast, Dr John Torous interviews Rafael Calvo, PhD on the emerging field of positive computing, an emerging field at the intersection of mental health and technology.

Dr Calvo shares examples of his work and outlines strategies to best collaborate in innovating future advances. He also discusses an upcoming conference focusing on technology and mental health and encourages clinicians to attend and learn more at Positive Computing and Computing and Mental Health.

Other questions discussed in this podcast include:

(1) What are 4 groups that classify technologies?

(2) How can the worlds of medicine and technology work together to create better outcomes for patients? Can you tell us about the next computer and mental health workshop that is open to health professionals?

(3) What are the most exciting developments down the road?

Dr Rafael Calvo is a Professor at the University of Sydney and Director of the Positive Computing Lab and Co-Director of the Software Engineering Group that focuses on the design of systems that support wellbeing in areas of mental health, medicine, and education. He has a PhD in artificial intelligence and is the author of over 150 publications in the areas of affective computing, learning systems, and web engineering. Twitter: @Rafael_A_Calvo.

Dr Torous is a Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the Digital Psychiatry Editor for Psychiatric Times. Twitter: @JohnTorousMD.