Ferreira, Ana Raquel da RochaSilva, Maria Goreti Moreira Magalhães De SousaCorreia, Maria de OliveiraSimões De Almeida, RaquelSimões-Silva, VítorTrigueiro, Maria João2024-02-012024-02-012024Ferreira, A. R. da R., Silva, M. G. M. M. D. S., Correia, M. de O., Almeida, R. S. de, Simões-Silva, V., & Trigueiro, M. J. (2024). Use of socially assistive robots in mental health: barriers and facilitators. Em R. S. Almeida, V. Simões-Silva, & M. J. Trigueiro (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Advances in Digital Technologies to Promote Rehabilitation and Community Participation (pp. 269–292). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-9251-2.ch0139781668492512http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/24933Access to mental healthcare is faced with many challenges and to address the needs of patients, socially assistive robots (SAR) have been used as an innovative therapeutic tool. The literature highlights a variety of relevant functions and benefits that these robots can serve, be it companion, coach, or play partner. This chapter aims to contribute to the current knowledge about SAR in mental health as a tool that could complement the support provided by professionals, identifying its barriers and facilitators. Despite the presence of certain barriers to their implementation (e.g., technical problems, professionals' resistance), social robot interventions generally show positive effects on patients with mental health conditions.engMental healthcareAssistive Robotsbook part10.4018/978-1-6684-9251-2.ch013