Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1
Mental health app screening and selection process.
App = mobile application.
Reproduced with permission from: Grundy.5
Tables
Apps’ framing materials claimed a mental health problem exists when… One has a psychological issue, such as distressing symptoms (eg, anxiety, depression, panic, poor sleep) and/or lack of positive psychological states (eg, happiness, balance) One is at risk of having a psychological issue that is due to a lack of mental fitness One’s life lacks some external feature of success (eg, academic or relationship success) App = mobile application.
Characteristic Message and App Population: everybody “[A]ll kinds of people who, in certain situations, or in certain periods of life are: feeling stressed; need motivation and lack energy; people with mild mental distress, such as depressive disorders, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem.” Mindfit Causation Pathophysiology “The fight or flight response…can easily go into hyperdrive, making you feel uncomfortable and anxious even when you aren’t in any real danger.” Mindfulness: Brain-based Psychological maladaptation “[H]abits of thought and behaviors that are negatively impactful.” Mindfulness Daily Apps and management Easy, effective, no risk of harm “All you have to do is LISTEN and your brain will do the rest!” Anxiety Release based on EMDR Importance of regular, ongoing use “You can…fit several mini-sessions into your day.” Meditation Studio Personal responsibility for improvement “Take action to improve your life.” MoodKit – Mood Improvement Tools App = mobile application; EMDR = eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
Supplemental Appendix & Tables
Supplemental Appendix & Tables
Files in this Data Supplement:
- Supplemental data: Appendix & Tables - PDF file
The Article in Brief
Mental Health Messages in Prominent Mental Health Apps
Lisa Parker , and colleagues
Background There are tens of thousands of commercially available mental health applications (apps). Given the enthusiasm for mental health apps demonstrated by governments, health services and the public, this study analyzes the content and kinds of messages in mental health apps.
What This Study Found Mental health apps convey two dominant messages: that virtually everyone has some type of mental health problem and that individuals can easily manage those problems by using an app. An interpretive analysis of 61 popular mental health apps in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia found that apps predominantly addressed anxiety, panic, and stress (56 percent) and/or mood disorders (26 percent). Apps presented mental health problems as psychological symptoms, a risk state, or lack of achievement in life. They tended to medicalize normal mental states, with a focus on abnormal responses to mild triggers rather than external stressors. Apps encouraged frequent use and promoted personal responsibility for improvement. Therapeutic strategies included relaxation, cognitive guidance, and self-monitoring. While mental health problems were framed as present in everyone, in promotional materials "everyone" was predominantly represented as employed, white, and in a family.
Implications
- In light of the tremendous popularity of mental health apps, the authors suggest that doctors emphasize to patients that self-help is just one aspect of a supportive mental health approach.
