This book fills a useful and relatively empty niche, discussing broadly the use of computer technology in mental health. There is a library full of books on medical informatics, but very little attention has been placed specifically on informatics as applied to the subsystem of mental health.

The book will be useful to two distinct audiences. Informatics professionals can use it to learn how mental health differs from the rest of the medical care system, and this is true in many areas, from financing to privacy rules. Mental health practitioners can use it to learn how informatics is being used and how it could be used in practice.

While each chapter can stand alone and is written by different authors, the totality covers the field well. An introductory chapter lays the groundwork by giving an overview of public policy and laws governing how mental health is treated under insurance and other rules. Two chapters deal with the use of electronic medical records as applied to mental health practices. Several chapters deal with specific mental health applications, including psychotherapy, tele-psychiatry, and addiction treatment. One introduces the use of social media.

For mental health professionals unfamiliar with informatics and informaticians new to working in the mental health arena, this book will give much useful information.