Synopsis
The coronavirus pandemic is putting unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, including mental healthcare. More people experience mental health problems, as early reports from China show, and physical distancing measures make it harder to provide face-to-face treatment to those that were already suffering from mental health problems. These unforeseen circumstances are paving the way for a radical shift towards more digital care in psychiatry. Although the use of digital technology has already been growing quite substantially over the last years, its added value suddenly has become irrefutable. As we can expect an even stronger acceleration of this field in months and years to come, now, it seems to be the proper time to carefully consider what direction this field should be heading in.