Volume 7, Issue 5, May – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 IJISRT22MAY1417 www.ijisrt.com 1120 ICT Utilisation and Mental Healthcare Service Provision in the Northwest and Southwest Communities of Cameroon. Azinwi Terence Niba (Ph.D research Fellow) Department of Educational psychology Faculty of Education, The University of Bamenda, Cameroon Abstract:- The aim of this study was to investigate ICT utilization and its effects on the effectiveness of mental healthcare service provision in secondary schools in Northwest and Southwest communities of Cameroon. More specifically, the study explored the extent to which demographic variations in ICT use, telephone use, affect mental healthcare service provision effectiveness in secondary schools. The study employed the survey research design with a mix of both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire while a semi-structured interview guide and an observation schedule were used to collect qualitative data from a sample of 150 secondary school mental health professionals.The purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the sample of the study. Data were analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, mean scores and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as the one sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA’s F- test) and the Pearson Correlation test were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis with the support of ATLAS.ti software version 8.0. The findings revealed that demographic variations in ICT use (r=0.581, df=98, p<0.05), and the use of telephones (r=0.741,df=98, p<0.05) have a positive correlation with mental healthcare service provision effectiveness in secondary schools. Based on the findings, recommendations to trainers of mental health professionals, and mental health professionals on measures to enhance ICT integration in mental health research and practice, as well as suggestions for further studies were made. Keywords:- ICT Utilisation, Demographic Characteristics, Telephone, and Mental Healthcare Service Provision. I. INTRODUCTION Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are a powerful force in today’s globalized society. Greaves (2005) asserts that the advent of ICTs has perhaps been the single massive drive impacting institutions through development, innovation and productivity all over the world. ICTs are revolutionizing all the ways of living; they are changing all aspects of life and lifestyle like education, work and mental health. According to UNESCO (2021), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to a diverse set of technological or digital tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. These technological tools and resources include telephones (fixed or mobile or smartphones), computers (desktops, laptops, tablets, printers, scanners, projectors, photocopiers), the internet (websites, blogs, social media, videoconferencing and emails), broadcast technology (radio, television, satellite) among others. These devices are increasingly being used nowadays for work and education including the provision of mental healthcare services. Vinluan (2011) argues that the internetremains one of the brand-new technologies that has greatly impacted mental healthcare practice. Mental healthcare represents a profession that specifically works with people dealing with cognitive, behavioral, and emotional issues (American Counselling Association, 2014). Mental health professionals include guidance counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, family therapists, mental health or psychiatric nurses, social workers and clinical psychologists among others who work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to deal with mental health issues and improve mental well-being (Elraz, 2018). These mental health professionals work in a wide range of settings in the community, including: mental health clinics, schools, private practices, hospitals, community health centers, correctional facilities (prisons and reformatory centers), businesses/work places, colleges and universities, social service agencies, international relief organizations and government agencies (Cherry, 2021). European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (2005) insists that one of the challenges that every mental healthcare system currently faces is how practitioners can make the best use of technology particularly in providing servicesfor their clients. The various kinds of ICT products available and having relevance to mental health such as teleconferencing, email, audio conferencing, television lessons, radio broadcasts, interactive radio counselling, interactive voice response system, audiocassettes and CD ROMs are being used in mental healthcare practice for different purposes including the provision of mental health services (Sharma, 2003; Sanyal, 2001; Bhattacharya & Sharma, 2007). Talking about telephone utilization and mental healthcare service provision, there are now services comprising a menu of pre-coded messages or direct contact with prescribed scripts. There are also highly interactive engagements with skilled professionals (Huws & Denbigh, 1999). The anonymity this process brings to the therapeutic