Mental Health Phone Apps: A Comprehensive Review

Mental health phone apps have become increasingly popular, but it's essential to understand their effectiveness. Many apps claim to help manage anxiety and depression, but some have been found to have limited scientific backing.

Research suggests that some apps, such as MoodTools and Pacifica, have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. These apps often incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, which have been proven to be beneficial in managing mental health.

It's crucial to note that not all mental health phone apps are created equal. Some apps, like Woebot, have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, but others may have limited scientific backing.

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Mental health phone apps can be a helpful tool for managing mental health issues. They can fill gaps in conventional mental health resources, especially when traditional therapy sessions aren't feasible.

Many people prefer to manage mental health issues on their own, or they have scheduling constraints that make attending regular sessions impractical. Technology can address these barriers and provide mental health support that fits your needs, budget, and schedule.

Some mental health phone apps can help with coping skills, relaxation, and stress reduction, as well as meditation and mindfulness. They can also address body image concerns, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and more.

You can use some apps on your own, while others might be used alongside an online coach or a therapist. The key is to find an app that addresses your specific concerns and is engaging and user-friendly.

Here are some areas that mental health phone apps can help with:

Mental health phone apps can be a helpful tool in managing mental health issues. Many people prefer to manage mental health issues on their own, or they have scheduling constraints that make attending regular sessions with a clinician impractical.

Technology can address some of these barriers and help you get mental health support that fits your needs, budget, and schedule. Wellness apps and digital therapy tools can help fill some gaps in conventional mental health resources.

Some apps can help with multiple areas related to mental health, including coping skills, relaxation, and stress reduction, meditation and mindfulness, body image concerns, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and more.

Dr. Sabine Wilhelm, a psychologist, suggests finding an app that addresses your specific concerns and is engaging and user-friendly. This will help you stay motivated to use it.

Here are some specific areas where mental health phone apps can be helpful:

Mental health apps can also provide a discreet way to access mental healthcare, which can help combat stigma in help-seeking. This is especially helpful for people from collectivist cultures who may be uncomfortable with in-person treatment.

Using mental health phone apps can be a helpful addition to your mental health toolkit. These apps can help you manage symptoms, develop coping skills, and even connect you with online coaches or therapists.

Some mental health apps are designed to monitor your symptoms or teach you skills, and you can use them on your own or alongside a therapist. Dr. Wilhelm, a psychologist, recommends finding an app that addresses your specific concerns and is engaging and user-friendly.

Research suggests that mental health apps can be effective in addressing a range of issues, including coping skills, relaxation, and stress reduction, as well as body image concerns, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and insomnia symptoms.

Here are some key things to consider when choosing a mental health app:

By taking these steps, you can find a mental health app that meets your needs and helps you achieve your mental health goals.

Mobile mental health interventions can be a game-changer in traditional treatment settings. They offer timely support, transcending traditional help-seeking boundaries associated with waiting time and physical distance.

Studies have shown that mental health apps provide in-the-moment support at the user's convenience, helping individuals overcome constraints of traditional clinical settings.

The World Health Organization defines mHealth as mental health services supported by mobile devices, including smartphone apps, voice, video or text messaging interventions, and real-time tracking.

According to the United Nations, more than 90% of the population in developed countries use smartphone apps daily, making them a ubiquitous and handy tool for mental health support.

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Mobile mental health apps can offer the opportunity to assess and intervene in individuals' natural environments, enabling a better understanding of the factors triggering problems and addressing them when and where they arise.

The Ecological Momentary Assessment and Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs) methods used in mobile mental health apps can help determine if phenomena are stable or change from day to day, guiding treatments or improving assessments in naturalistic settings.

Here are some key benefits of mobile mental health interventions:

These benefits can be especially helpful in situations where traditional support might not be as helpful by the time it becomes available, and delayed treatment contributes to more severe and enduring mental health difficulties.

Using mental health phone apps can be a convenient and accessible way to manage your mental health, but it's essential to consider the feasibility of use.

Some mental health apps have high retention rates, with studies showing that users can maintain engagement over time. However, attrition remains a common challenge, with some studies reporting retention rates as low as 18.34% after 6 weeks.

The usability of an app can significantly impact user engagement. Poor usability and lack of user-centric design can make apps difficult or unenjoyable to use, leading to a loss of interest over time.

Research suggests that designing apps that adapt to diverse user contexts and involve user feedback during development can improve feasibility and retention. This can be achieved by collecting passive data and enhancing app design to increase adherence and engagement.

A study found that self-monitoring features were the least popular, seen as repetitive and tiresome. This can be mitigated by providing transparent privacy policies, adhering to robust encryption standards, and complying with regional data protection laws.

Here are some factors that can impact the feasibility of using mental health apps:

In some cases, clinical support can improve retention rates. A study found that users who received clinical support had higher retention rates compared to those who did not.

Mental health phone apps have been found to be clinically effective in reducing symptoms and improving functioning and quality of life of psychiatric patients. Four out of six studies showed that treatment apps reduced symptoms and improved functioning and quality of life.

These apps can also enhance therapeutic outcomes, including reducing symptoms of mood disorders. A meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials found that smartphone interventions had a small-to-moderate effect in reducing depressive symptoms in an overall sample of 3,414 adults.

Some mental health apps have been specifically designed to track and monitor users' emotional state and psychological stress, which can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. For example, apps like MoodPrism and mHealth were found to reduce symptoms in a scoping review of mental health apps.

Research has also shown that mental health apps can amplify treatment outcomes by complementing different stages of traditional interventions. By providing on-the-go documentation of users' psychological well-being, these apps can tailor relevant goals for each user in real-time and supplement traditional treatment.

Here are some of the mental health conditions that mental health apps have been found to be effective in treating:

Mental health apps can also increase the likelihood of treatment success by providing opportunities to practice coping strategies in clients' natural environments. For example, a review of eight studies on mobile-based mental health tools found that participants experienced reduced stress levels and improved coping skills after three weeks of app usage.

I've spent months trying out the best mental health and therapy apps, and I've got some top picks to share with you. The apps I've featured offer a combination of techniques to improve your well-being, and they're all worth checking out.

Here are some of the top picks:

Each of these apps has its own unique features and benefits, and I've tried to highlight the best one for each area. Whether you're looking for therapy, meditation, or sleep help, there's an app on this list that's worth checking out.

If you're looking for mental health apps that can help you improve your well-being, you're in luck because there are many options available.

Mental health apps have the same goal, but they work in different ways and offer different techniques. Here are some of the services you'll find, and where our featured apps fit in.

Some of the top picks for mental health apps include Talkspace, BetterHelp, Headspace, Calm, and Worry Watch.

These apps offer a range of services, including online therapy, messaging, classes, live workshops, reflection questions, meditation exercises, sleep stories, soundscapes, and breathing exercises.

Here's a breakdown of what each app offers:

These apps have been proven to be effective in helping people manage their mental health, and some of them even offer free trials or limited free content.

I've spent months reviewing and testing the best online therapy services, including meditation, sleep help, mood tracking, and CBT. I've also surveyed real therapy users to help rate and share the best online therapy services.

I had 23 testers try 29 different mental health apps for a month each, with some apps offering a "pro" or "premium" version. My testers engaged with their app every day to test its services and understand the impact it had on their lives.

I had 65 different people sign up for talk therapy with all 55 online therapy companies reviewed, with each tester trying out each company's therapy services for at least a month. I also asked testers to switch therapists partway through to get a holistic idea of the offerings and quality of each company.

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of treatment apps in reducing symptoms such as acrophobia, depression, and anxiety symptoms. However, retention rates and user satisfaction can vary, with some studies reporting lower retention rates at post-test and follow-up.

Here's a summary of the online therapy services I've reviewed, including their features, pricing, and availability:

I've had firsthand experience with these services, and I can attest to their effectiveness in improving mental health and well-being.

Acceptability is a crucial factor to consider when evaluating mental health apps. In most cases, acceptability ratings are high, with patients finding treatment apps acceptable, with over 50% positive responses on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Self-monitoring apps are also generally acceptable, but Bonet et al found that they may be less acceptable for participants who suffer from delusions. This highlights the importance of tailoring apps to user needs.

Multipurpose apps, which combine treatment components, self-monitoring, or prediction components, have been found to be highly acceptable in nine studies, with patients finding them easy to use, convenient, and helpful. Possemato et al noted that improved satisfaction can be achieved with clinical support.

High acceptability ratings have been observed across various mental health apps, but evidence suggests that they can improve with clinical support, indicating that apps might be best used alongside traditional treatment.

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Mobile mental health apps can potentially provide timely, cost-effective, and discreet support, facilitating various stages of treatment and improving outcomes.

However, app users need to be mindful of the pitfalls surrounding app usage, including engagement challenges, safety issues, confidentiality breaches, and a lack of evidence-based practices.

Research on mobile mental health apps has yielded mixed results, with some studies reporting poor or moderate-quality evidence, while others show medium effects or small effects with good-quality evidence.

Apps for anxiety symptoms have been found to bring a clear benefit, with small to medium effect sizes and good-quality evidence.

Follow-ups in some studies have reported sustained benefits at 6 to 11 weeks, but it's unclear how often people actually use the apps in these studies.

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We conducted a comprehensive search of various databases to identify relevant reviews on mental health apps.

We searched the Cochrane library, Medline (via PubMed Central), and Scopus databases using specific search terms, including "mental health app*" and "digital mental health".

The search started in June 2020 and continued until January 2024, with four iterations to ensure the results remained up to date.

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Our search strategy involved using search terms related to mental health, smartphones, and self-management, as well as applying filters such as RCTs.

We only included systematic reviews reporting quantitative pooled data, published in full text, in English or French, and those mentioned the use of app technology for mental health issues.

To select the most relevant meta-analyses, we considered factors such as the number of studies reviewed and the inclusion of RCTs.

We excluded systematic reviews without quantifiable data, such as qualitative reviews and treatment guidelines.

The final decision to include or exclude reviews was made by consensus among two researchers.

Our search strategy involved using multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar.

We applied filters such as "review" or "meta" to narrow down our search results.

Research suggests that mobile mental health apps can potentially provide timely and cost-effective support, but users must be aware of the potential pitfalls, including engagement challenges, safety issues, and confidentiality breaches.

The quality of evidence for mobile mental health apps is mixed, with some studies showing poor or moderate-quality evidence, while others report high-quality evidence.

A meta-review of 7 meta-analyses on the use of apps for mental health issues found that 14 results were linked to poor or poor to moderate quality evidence, 15 to moderate or moderate to high quality evidence, and 8 to high-quality evidence.

Higher-quality evidence is often found in studies with larger, more homogeneous samples and follow-ups, but these studies are less common.

Some apps, such as those for anxiety symptoms, have shown a clear benefit with small to medium effect sizes and good-quality evidence, but results can vary depending on the inclusion criteria and sample size.

Follow-ups in these studies have reported sustained benefits at 6 to 11 weeks, which is promising, but the frequency of app use in these studies is often unknown.

Apps for specific anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, have shown moderate-quality evidence and a medium effect size, but very few studies have focused on these areas.

For depressive symptoms, apps have shown small to medium effect sizes compared to waitlist and active controls, with overall good-quality evidence, especially in more recent meta-analyses.

These results suggest that apps can be a useful tool for managing depressive symptoms, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Indirect mental health outcomes, such as distress, stress, or quality of life, have shown consistently small to medium effects, with greater quality evidence for more recent meta-analyses.

Many mental health phone apps have limitations and challenges that can hinder their effectiveness. For instance, a majority of users come from higher-income households, limiting access for those with lower socioeconomic status.

Attrition rates are a common challenge, with some studies reporting rates of over 20%. This can be due to poor user engagement, repetitive tasks, and privacy concerns. Some apps are only available for either Android or iOS operating systems, highlighting the importance of multiplatform development for inclusivity.

Data and privacy concerns present a significant challenge, with some patients expressing wariness about confidentiality and data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive health information being a major concern.

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Some mental health apps only work on specific smartphone operating systems, limiting their accessibility to users with different devices. This highlights the importance of multiplatform development for inclusivity.

A lack of integration with clinical practice is another issue, as data from apps are often not incorporated into electronic health records. This makes it difficult for clinicians to monitor their patients' conditions and understand the disorders they're dealing with.

Data and privacy concerns present a significant challenge, with some patients expressing wariness about confidentiality and being uncomfortable responding to self-assessments in public. Data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive health information could erode trust in mental health apps.

Attrition remains a common challenge for mental health apps, with retention rates as low as 26.15% at post-test and 18.34% during a 6-week follow-up in some studies. This decline in feasibility may be due to poor user engagement, repetitive tasks, and privacy concerns.

Many mental health apps suffer from poor usability and lack of user-centric design, making them difficult or unenjoyable to use. This can lead to a loss of interest over time, highlighting the need for enhanced app design and clinical support.

High attrition rates and poor sustained engagement are prevalent among mental health apps, with some studies reporting attrition rates of over 20%. This suggests that user engagement may be hindered by factors such as unsatisfactory functionality and usability concerns.

Use caution and protect your privacy when using mental health apps. Little to no oversight exists for wellness apps, which focus on improving mental health generally, and they aren't regulated by agencies like the FDA.

Digital therapeutics, on the other hand, are software-based interventions designed to prevent, manage, or treat specific psychiatric disorders or conditions, and they are subject to regulatory oversight and must have demonstrated efficacy and safety. The FDA has only cleared a few of them so far.

It's essential to research and find out whether an app protects your privacy. You can use the Mindapps.org to find information on each app's cost and privacy practices. This is important because you might be entering sensitive mental health information in the app.

To protect your health privacy, consider the following safety tips:

Privacy and confidentiality breaches are a significant concern among mental health app users, with concerns falling into two categories: third-party access to confidential information and lack of an explicit privacy policy. Eight reviews found that users were commonly concerned with their confidential information being shared with third parties or used for unauthorized purposes.

The regulation of mental health apps is a pressing issue that requires more research.

There's a lack of standardized criteria for "approved-for-use" apps, making it unclear to both developers and clinicians what makes an app worthy of use.

This ambiguity can lead to inconsistent app quality and effectiveness.

Developers and professionals need a shared understanding of key elements guiding evaluation and regulation of mental health apps.

Future studies should examine the presence of evidence-based approaches, randomized controlled trials, and visibility of emergency services contacts.

Many mental health apps lack empirical and theoretical evidence to support their effectiveness.

Only 27% of studies examining e-mental health interventions for healthcare workers included empirical evaluations, and even those were based on a limited number of participants.

A review of mental health-related apps created by the Veteran Affairs or the Department of Defense found a pressing lack of evidence for their effectiveness, with the exception of two apps: PTSD Coach and Virtual Hope Box.

Most studies examining the efficacy of app interventions have a lack of empirical support for their long-term effectiveness, with 62% of studies reporting results from less than 6-months follow-up.

A systematic review of mental health apps for adolescents and young adults found that all 11 randomized controlled trials examined the immediate or short-term effects of app interventions, except for four studies that incorporated 6-week to 6-month follow-up assessments.

The long-term benefits of mental health app usage have not been established by empirical evidence, so help-seekers should not rely entirely on these platforms for mental health treatment.

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Only a small portion of digital mental health tools catered to informal caregivers in Europe defined a clear therapeutic rationale behind the interventions used.

Two studies about mental-health-related apps for adults over 18 years of age did not provide theoretical evidence for their intervention methods, involving a breathing exercise app and mood-monitoring app.

Unsupported practices in mental health apps could unintentionally pose serious risks to the well-being of help-seekers in dangerous situations.

Despite the many benefits of mental health apps, there are several limitations to consider.

Most users of mental health apps come from higher-income households, limiting access for those with lower socioeconomic status.

Digital literacy and the risk of digital exclusion present significant challenges, especially in individuals who are still unfamiliar with smartphones or apps.

A lack of integration with clinical practice is another issue, as data from apps are often not incorporated into electronic health records.

Data and privacy concerns are a significant challenge, with patients expressing wariness about confidentiality and data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive health information being a major concern.

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Missing data due to patient disinterest or lack of engagement is also a limitation, with self-monitoring features being the least popular due to being seen as repetitive and tiresome.

The clinical effectiveness of mental health apps can be affected by biases, with some studies showing no significant effect on symptoms despite improvements over time.

Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of treatment, self-monitoring, and multipurpose apps, particularly with clinical support.

Our search strategy may have excluded relevant reviews from other databases such as PsycINFO and EMBASE, which could have influenced the findings of this review.

The rapidly advancing nature of digital mental health interventions may mean that some of the mobile mental health apps assessed are now outdated.

To support the continued examination of app usage as an adjunct to traditional treatment, future research could focus on three key areas. In order to make mental health apps more effective, they need to be developed with the right features.

Apps should be developed using a multiplatform framework to widen compatibility with a variety of devices. This is because existing tools often support either Android or iOS operating systems, and considering the even distribution of iOS and Android operating systems in certain markets, future smartphone applications should support both platforms to be inclusive of the psychiatric population as a whole.

Here are five recommendations for clinical translations to make mental health apps more effective:

As we look to the future, there are several key areas that warrant further research to support the continued examination of app usage as an adjunct to traditional treatment.

Future research could inquire into three key areas, as suggested by recent studies, to better understand the benefits and limitations of app-based interventions.

One area of focus could be exploring the long-term effects of app usage on mental health outcomes, which would provide valuable insights into its potential as a sustainable treatment option.

Researchers could also investigate the optimal dosage and frequency of app-based interventions to maximize their effectiveness and minimize potential negative consequences.

Another area of inquiry could be examining the role of individual differences, such as personality traits and cognitive styles, in determining the efficacy of app-based treatments.

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If you're developing a mental health app, it's essential to consider the following clinical translation recommendations.

Future apps should be developed using a multiplatform framework to widen compatibility with a variety of devices, as existing tools often only support either Android or iOS operating systems. This is especially important in markets where the distribution of iOS and Android operating systems is relatively even, such as the United Kingdom, where in March 2022, 50.5% of users had iOS and 48.9% had Android.

Apps should provide feedback to clinicians and patients, as existing tools often lack integration with patient electronic health records and predictive features. This would allow for a more responsive and effective treatment approach.

Privacy and data protection should be a core value of the app, with robust encryption and authentication methods to ensure patient confidentiality. Developers should provide transparent, accessible privacy policies and data use statements, and store all data in accordance with data protection laws and guidelines.

To ensure user experience is taken into careful consideration, apps should focus on usability, reduce repetitive tasks, and incorporate a user-centric design. This can improve feasibility and accessibility, and increase long-term retention.

Apps should involve people with lived experience of mental illness during development and validation, as this has been shown to be beneficial in previous studies. This can ensure that apps are tailored to meet the needs of diverse demographic groups.

Some mental health phone apps offer more than just a messaging system with a therapist. Talkspace, for example, provides two apps: one for current members to communicate with their therapist and another called Talkspace Go, which is a self-guided counseling app.

Talkspace Go is a great resource for anyone who wants to work on their mental health outside of therapy sessions. It includes mindfulness exercises, classes, therapist-led live workshops, and reading materials.

If you're looking for a comprehensive online therapy service, Talkspace is a good option. It offers individual adult therapy, couples therapy, teen therapy, and even psychiatry and medication management. You can access all of these services through the app, including messaging your therapist, scheduling appointments, and checking your insurance coverage.

BetterHelp is another online therapy service that's available through an app. It offers easily accessible services, including signing up for services, getting matched with a therapist, scheduling appointments, and attending video, audio, or live chat sessions.

One thing that sets BetterHelp apart is its messaging service. You can contact your therapist between sessions and get a prompt response. This can be really helpful for people who are struggling between their weekly sessions.

Here are some key features of these apps:

Be cautious of the information you provide to mental health apps, as they may not be strictly regulated.

Think about the questions you're asked and decide whether you can skip answering questions regarding your gender identity, personal identification, or health conditions. This is a good practice to follow, as suggested by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Watch for the claims health apps make about protecting your information. Since wellness apps are not strictly regulated, look for specific promises about what information you share is protected.

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Opt-out of cookies or sharing analytics when first opening an app, as this can help protect your data.

Limit access to your data by not connecting your account to other personal channels like social media or your contacts, and only share sensitive information if you're sure it's safe.

You can use the Mindapps.org to find information on each app's cost and privacy practices, which can help you make an informed decision.

The ACLU suggests following these safety tips to protect your health privacy, which include thinking about the information you provide, watching for claims, opting out of cookies, and limiting access to your data.

Talkspace offers two apps: the primary one for current members and a secondary one called Talkspace Go, which is a self-guided counseling app.

The primary app allows you to access various therapies, including individual adult therapy, couples therapy, and teen therapy, even psychiatry and medication management. You can message your therapist, schedule and attend appointments, and check your insurance coverage right through the app.

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Talkspace recommends using the Talkspace Go app in conjunction with your therapy sessions, as it lets you pinpoint the things you most want to work on.

With Talkspace, you can choose which type of session you want: video, audio, or live chat, all available through the app.

The app's accessibility was praised by testers, who found the signup process intuitive and the website easy to navigate.

However, some testers felt that the short session times, at only half an hour, left them feeling like they only scratched the surface of what they wanted to discuss.

Here are some key features of Talkspace:

To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we took a rigorous approach to methodology and analysis. A team of two independent reviewers screened and selected studies, with a third reviewer resolving any inconsistencies that arose.

We extracted a range of data from the studies, including study details, participant characteristics, app information, and outcome measures related to effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability. This comprehensive approach allowed us to get a clear picture of how mental health phone apps are performing in real-world settings.

We searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane library, Medline, and Scopus, to identify relevant studies.

The search terms used were quite comprehensive, covering various aspects of mental health and technology, such as "mental health app *", "e%mental health", and "technology in psychotherapy".

We also used specific databases like APA PsycInfo, Global Health, and Embase, and ran the searches multiple times to ensure the results remained up to date.

The inclusion criteria for our search were quite specific, focusing on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and quantitative pooled data.

We used filters like "review*" or "meta-analysis" to narrow down the search results, and applied limits such as RCTs to ensure the quality of the studies.

The search strategy was designed to capture a wide range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

We used keywords like "mental health", "technology", "app", and "mHealth" to identify relevant studies, and applied filters like "review or meta" to focus on systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The search strategy was comprehensive and included multiple databases, search terms, and filters to ensure a thorough search of the literature.

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Data extraction and synthesis were crucial steps in this systematic review. Two independent reviewers screened and selected studies, with a third reviewer resolving inconsistencies.

To ensure accuracy, a risk-of-bias assessment was conducted for each study. This thorough process helped identify any potential flaws in the research.

The extracted data included study details, participant characteristics, app information, and outcome measures related to effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability. This wealth of information allowed for a comprehensive analysis.

A narrative synthesis was conducted for the outcomes, which included clinical effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of mental health apps. This synthesis consisted of all eligible articles that met the inclusion criteria and showed a comparison between mental health apps and Treatment As Usual (TAU) in their effectiveness in self-monitoring, treatment, and predicting.

We carefully screened and selected studies to ensure their relevance to our research. Two independent reviewers worked together to resolve any inconsistencies that arose during the process.

A third reviewer was brought in to help resolve any remaining doubts. This rigorous approach ensured that only the most suitable studies made it into our analysis.

We extracted a range of data from each study, including details about the research itself, the participants involved, and the information about the apps being used. This data was crucial for our evaluation.

The extracted data included outcome measures related to the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of the apps. These measures were essential for understanding how well the apps worked.

A risk-of-bias assessment was conducted for each study to evaluate its reliability and validity. This assessment helped us to identify any potential flaws in the research.

When evaluating the clinical effectiveness of mental health apps, researchers assess the extent to which an app achieves its intended purpose. This was measured by comparing the effect of treatment as usual (TAU) with those who also used self-monitoring apps.

The primary outcome of this review, clinical effectiveness, was assessed through intention-to-treat analysis or analysis of covariance for treatment and prediction apps.

For self-monitoring apps, clinical effectiveness was evaluated by assessing the effect of TAU compared with those who also used self-monitoring apps.

Feasibility is an objective measure indicating the ease of psychological intervention, and was measured by overall usage and retention/attrition rates.

Acceptability is a subjective measure of psychiatric patients' attitudes towards mental health app usage, and was assessed through the use of satisfaction questionnaires.

Here are the secondary outcomes of this review, which include feasibility and acceptability of mental health apps:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) suggests being mindful of the information you provide when using mental health apps, considering the questions you're asked and deciding whether you can skip answering questions regarding your gender identity, personal identification, or health conditions.

Mobile mental health apps can potentially provide timely, cost-effective, and discreet support which facilitates various stages of treatment and improves outcomes.

However, it's essential to be mindful of the pitfalls surrounding apps usage, including engagement challenges, safety issues, confidentiality breaches, and a lack of evidence-based practices.

The clinical effectiveness of mental health apps is a mixed bag, with 14 results being linked to poor or poor to moderate evidence, 15 to moderate or moderate to high evidence, and 8 to high-quality evidence.

Despite the mixed results, some mental health apps have shown promise, particularly those focusing on anxiety symptoms, which appear to bring a clear benefit of small to medium amplitude with good-quality evidence.

Apps for anxiety symptoms have been found to have a small to medium effect size, but with some discrepancies in the results reported, possibly due to differences in inclusion criteria and sample sizes.

For specific anxiety problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder or panic disorder, the evidence is of lower quality and did not report a significant clinical effect, except for social anxiety disorder, which is supported by moderate-quality evidence and a medium effect size.

Studies have shown that apps focusing on depressive symptoms have small to medium effect sizes compared with waitlist or active controls, with overall good-quality evidence, especially for more recent meta-analyses.

The quality of the evidence at this time moderately supports apps for suicidal ideation, with a small effect size, but does not support apps for self-harm (no effect).

Indirect mental health outcomes, such as distress, stress, or quality of life, have consistently shown small to medium effects, with greater quality evidence for the most recent meta-analysis.

Mobile mental health apps show great promise in providing timely support, being cost-effective, and combating stigma surrounding help-seeking. They can even enhance treatment outcomes when used as an adjunct to traditional psychotherapy.

However, associated risks need to be understood and managed, such as user engagement challenges, safety issues, confidentiality breaches, and non-evidence-based approaches. One viable risk management strategy is adhering to the American Psychiatric Association’s hierarchal framework.

Future studies should focus on high users of apps, particularly youth and young adults, as we currently lack specific information on the efficacy and actual use of mental health apps with these subgroups. Traditional study designs can be time-consuming and deter app developers who aim to commercialize their product.

More meta-analyses and quality studies are needed to recommend apps for other mental health issues or for specific populations. Apps for anxiety and depression hold great promise, especially when used with guidance or adjunctive treatments.

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