Telehealth Access and Utilization in South African Urban Mental Health Services: A Longitudinal Study

Telehealth access has become increasingly important in urban mental health services globally, offering convenience and accessibility for patients with mental health issues. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews was employed to assess access barriers and user satisfaction. Telehealth platforms saw a steady increase in use from 45% in the initial year to 60% by the third year, with higher utilization among younger adults (18-30 years). While telehealth showed promise as an accessible mental health service, ongoing challenges related to digital literacy and insurance coverage were identified. Investment in public education campaigns targeting digital exclusion and integration of telehealth into existing healthcare policies is recommended. Treatment effect was estimated with $\text{logit}(p_i)=\beta_0+\beta^\top X_i$, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.