BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL PRACTICE: THE CASE OF ANTHROPOLOGISTS WORKING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES' LARGEST HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

A substantial body of research shows that Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs), especially internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT), can be as effective as face-to-face treatments for common disorders such as depression and anxiety (; ; ). They are increasingly promoted to address global shortages in mental health services (; ). DMHIs can expand access for remote communities (), support patients on waiting lists (), and complement other treatments (). Despite these advantages, implementation in routine care remains limited (; ; ). Still, DMHIs represent a promising way to increase treatment access and meet the unmet needs of people with mental health disorders worldwide (). While patient needs drive the expansion of DMHIs, workforce challenges also play a role. Healthcare personnel shortages are expected to worsen due to demographic shifts (), Enhancing working conditions through the use of DMHIs, including increased flexibility in working hours and opportunities for remote work, may help reduce stress and improve retention (; ). From an environmental perspective, reducing travel through telehealth can significantly lower carbon emissions (), as clearly demonstrated during the pandemic (). Evidence suggests that DMHIs incorporating therapist support achieve higher adherence and effectiveness compared to fully self-help applications in ICBT studies (; ). While self-help applications require promotion, integration, and maintenance, therapist-guided DMHIs introduce additional complexity, including training, supervision, workflow integration, and ongoing support to ensure acceptance among clinicians and patients. Consequently, understanding the human resource requirements for guided DMHIs is critical, as these directly impact costs and staff availability.