A note on mental health apps:
Mental health apps are not a substitute for seeking professional mental health support or mental health treatment. Only professionals can make a diagnosis. Keep in mind that apps can help manage symptoms linked to mental illness. Apps do not consider all experiences or possible reasons why a person may be exhibiting symptoms. The original research can be found for further reading here.
Mental health-related apps are becoming increasingly popular, and while these apps have the potential to improve mental health knowledge and support treatment, it may be difficult to choose ones that are safe and effective. Many of them may not be backed by scientific evidence and research. App stores typically rank apps by popularity and ratings, which can make choosing an evidence-based app difficult.
To help you figure out if an app is right for you, we engaged young people to identify 10 questions to ask yourself about the mental health app(s) you use. These questions can help while you’re thinking about what’s important for you when you choose an app, and some suggestions for what to do if you think it’s time to make a change.
- Is it free? If not, does it fit within my budget?
You may consider free or more affordable options with your apps. Many apps have paid features that you need a credit card to access. - Does it meet my mental health needs?
Not all apps work the same for everyone. Keep an eye out for apps that do what they promise. If the app doesn’t work with the way you take care of yourself, it may be time to find a new one. - Does it align with my preferred language and values?
Apps that support your mental health should also support your lifestyle. Accessibility is a necessary condition for using a mental health app. Everyone should have equal access to mental health apps, which includes people with disabilities. Check to see if your app accommodates individuals with disabilities and/or is available in different languages. - Is it easy to use?
An app that is meant to support you shouldn’t be a hassle to use. You should be able to navigate the app and clearly understand the instructions you need to use it. - Does it work offline?
Test to see if the app features are available without an internet connection. You may need to access the app in offline areas, and app features should still be available to help support you when that happens. - Is it clear how user data is stored?
In an app’s privacy policy, check where the user data is stored, how much information is being collected and if your information is being sold to third parties. Sometimes, apps may use your data to improve the app or use it in research. There are a few ways to check about data safety:- For Android users: Before you install an app from Google Play, you can check the app’s data safety section. Developers use the data safety section to share information about how their app handles your data. This way, you can make more informed decisions about what apps you use.
- For Apple iOS users: You can find data safety information in Settings > Privacy > App Privacy Report
- Does it protect my private information?
When you sign up for any app, don’t assume that your information will be private. Check the privacy policy of any mental health app, if the app will share data, and what kind of data will be shared. One way to see if the app is accessing data is when you first sign up, the app may trigger a popup that asks to access data from your phone like below. - How can I tell that it is backed by science?
Ensure that the app information is correct by doing a little bit of your own investigation. Most apps will have an “About” or “More Info” page on their websites, or within the app itself. In this page, you can check whether the app has been reviewed by health professionals, is published by a trustworthy organization (e.g., your local health authority or an educational institute) or if there is research that supports the information in the app. - Can I customize its features to meet my needs?
See if the app can be customized to suit your needs. For example, if you are doing a meditation, see whether you can change the volume, or if different voices can be used during a guided meditation. Some apps also acknowledge people who are sensitive to bright screens and will offer a Dark Mode. If you aren’t feeling good about an app, you don’t have to keep using it! - Is there a way to get support for users?
App owners should respond to feedback and update apps as needed. When you’re downloading an app, check the version notes available to see what’s been updated. You can also check to see if app developers or owners have responded to feedback in comments to reviews.
Every new app takes a bit of time to get used to using. It’s also alright if you started using an app and want to stop using it. Apps update all the time and may not work for you if things change. Mental wellness apps are meant to support your mental health journey, not make it more difficult. These are just a few questions you can ask yourself when you reflect on the tools you’re using to make your journey easier.
Background:
Research to support these 10 questions was done by Dr. Julie Robillard and her team at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s & Women’s Hospitals to inform a sustainable methodology and platform to enable an end-user driven evaluation of mental health apps. Focus groups were conducted with end-users (youth and young adults) across BC. These group interviews were conducted in Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton and Abbotsford in 2019, and a total of 47 participants aged 15-24 participated. The data were thematically coded and the results were provided to the rating tool project team.
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