  Using the metrics of the World Health Organisation, the Global Burden of
Disease Study has found that mental health difficulties are currently the
leading cause of disability in developed countries [1]. Projections also
indicate that the global burden of mental health difficulties will continue to
rise in the coming decades. The human and economic costs of this trend will be
substantial. In this paper we discuss how effectively designed interactive
systems, developed through collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts, can play a
significant role in helping to address this challenge. Our discussion is
grounded in a description of four exploratory systems, each of which has
undergone initial clinical evaluations. Directions for future research on
mental health technologies are also identified.
