One interesting effect of the pandemic is that discussions of mental health and self-care have become more normalized. As such, mental health apps have taken off.
People started buying more skincare, doing more home workouts, and trying out more mental health and wellness apps than ever before.
However, when it comes to mental health, things are a little more complicated. Buying hair masks or doing the home workouts of fitness influencers is one thing. Entrusting your mental wellness to apps is another.
People are looking to apps for mental health support and money is pouring into the sector.
Why has this happened, and how do the apps actually hold up?
Let’s take a look!
The Rise of Mobile Mental Health Apps
Exactly how big is this market? Well, according to PRNewswire:
“The global mental health apps market size is expected to reach USD 17.5 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.”
Most of these apps aim to help users cope with anxiety and depression.
The depression and anxiety management application type segment accounted for over 25.0% share in 2021 owing to the rising prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders, along with the rising awareness regarding applications for the treatment of these conditions.
32% of respondents said that inflation was their single most important problem in running their businesses. NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg told Fox Business:
So, why has this become such a lucrative market? One controbuting factor is definitely the state of the US healthcare system.
The Failures of the US Healthcare System
It’s no secret that the American healthcare system notoriously fails patients. Mental healthcare is a huge part of these issues.
For example, according to CNN, at the height of the pandemic, 68% of nearly 3,400 community clinics that serve low-income people with mental health and substance abuse issues had to turn people away because they were so full.
Reports show that immediately post-pandemic, Americans were suffering the most collectively with mental health amongst 9 Western nations. However, mental health care here is the least accessible.
High costs, long wait times, and maybe the inability to find a therapist at all have caused many people to look for other solutions.
Mobile apps are easy to find and accessible, and many are even free. Users don’t have to wait months either. However, is the current crop of mental health apps out there a viable option? Can they replace therapy?
What Does The Research Say?
Ultimately, it makes a lot of sense that people would turn to mental health apps. If you have ever waited almost a year for an appointment or contacted a dozen practices only to be turned away from them all, you would want to try something else too.
Unfortunately, research indicates that these apps may not be the replacement for mental health care that many people need.
According to Harvard Health Publishing:
Research looking at randomized controlled trials of mobile app mental health interventions with almost 50,000 patients did not find “convincing evidence” that any mobile app intervention greatly improved outcomes related to people’s anxiety, depression, smoking or drinking, thoughts of suicide, or feelings of well-being.
However, this is only one study.
The Power of Belief
Interestingly, however, a different study shared by Harvard indicates that our belief in and relationship to these apps to help may be more meaningful than the apps themselves.
This study compared users of the popular mental health app Headspace to a fake version without a mindfulness component.
Users of both apps reported an improvement in outcomes, including increased mindfulness, even while using the fake app without a mindfulness component. This may indicate that it is our belief and trust in these apps that matter, more than what each app offers.
While some may paint this as proof that these apps don’t work, it is more complex than that. Remember, research into them is new, as are the apps themselves.
Also, it is possible to find a study to back up almost any opinion or viewpoint on any topic.
Something else to consider is that there are numerous modalities of traditional in-person therapy. This includes Psychodynamic, Behavioral, and CBT. In reality, all of them show similar positive results.
Why is that?
It is because what really helps a patient improve is building a strong relationship with their therapist, regardless of the methods the therapist uses. If a patient can trust a therapist and believe in what they offer, they will likely improve.
In this way, therapists and apps may actually be quite similar.
At Present, Mental Health Apps Cannot Replace Traditional Treatments
As of now, they are not a replacement for a human therapist for a few reasons. In many cases, the technology is simply not good enough to respond to the complex needs of the human mind. However, in the future, this may change.
Another reason is that the human element is a core part of what gives patients positive outcomes, more so than a tool or psychotherapy method.
Building a positive relationship with someone who can help support, guide, and lead you on the path of healing is incredibly beneficial.
Also, not all apps are good. While some can be helpful, others are glitchy, expensive, and very limited in what they offer. Some might even be collecting and selling your personal data to data brokers.
If you don’t like the idea of turning to apps in your darkest hour and them profiting off of your vulnerability, you are not alone.
While some of these apps are free AI-based mental health helpers, others connect you to licensed therapists. One popular company, BetterHelp, is known both for partnering with influencers and controversy.
There are many accusations against BetterHelp. These include the app offering subpar services at a premium price. Also, they were penalized by the FTC this year for selling patient data.
The FTC posted in March of 2023:
The proposed order also requires the company to pay $7.8 million to consumers to settle charges that it revealed consumers’ sensitive data with third parties such as Facebook and Snapchat for advertising after promising to keep such data private.
Lack of privacy is actually a huge concern with many mental health apps.
This has led to intensive ethical debates. Is encouraging influencers to perhaps exaggerate their own mental health issues to market a questionable mental health service ethical? Should influencers make money from the mental health struggles of their fans?
Should companies that are supposedly trying to help heal your mental health issues be able to sell your data?
So, What Can These Apps Do?
If you have severe mental health issues or are in crisis, an app alone will likely not be what you need.
In these cases, a proper diagnosis and a relationship with a human therapist who can help you progress are incredibly important. At least, as of now, nothing exists that can replace therapy and medication for those who need them.
However, apps can work well for those with milder struggles. They can also be helpful in addition to therapy.
Mobile apps can complement therapy through symptom trackers, reminders, reinforcement of skills, and community features to set goals and share progress.
However, apps can work well for those with milder struggles. They can also be helpful in addition to therapy.
Keep in mind that mental illness covers a wide spectrum and everyone experiences it differently. There are so many symptoms and experiences.
What might be a helpful solution for one person might do absolutely nothing for someone else.
Final Thoughts on the Efficacy of Mobile Mental Health Apps
Unfortunately, there is a large gap when it comes to receiving mental healthcare in the US. Mobile mental health apps, at least as they function currently, are not an adequate replacement for that care.
However, this does not mean that they serve no purpose at all. For those with minor issues, or who are looking for something to supplement therapy, they can provide help.
They will likely improve and evolve with time too.
What do you think? Comment below.
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