Is there an (Evidence-based) App for That? A Review of Mental Health Management Apps Available for Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: While most mental health disorders have an age of onset in adolescence, young people are less likely to receive specialized services. Smartphone apps can reduce mental health access barriers for youth by promoting self-management, facilitating information exchange, and providing cost-effective, personalized interventions. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the most popular commercially available mental health apps from the Google Android and Apple iTunes stores.

Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted of the ten most popular English language apps under combinations of specific search terms (i.e. mental health, teen, college). App listings and developer websites were coded for descriptive information (i.e. size, date of update, price), in addition to the following outcome variables: target age and concern, type of diagnostic, informational, or treatment resource, user engagement approach, level of professional involvement, privacy protection, and degree of scientific support.

Results: 300 apps were reviewed. Provision of personalized mental health resources, interactive treatment modules and progress tracking were the most common user-engagement approaches. While the majority of the apps collected sensitive user data, very few reported using privacy-protection measures. The most commonly described evidence-based content was cognitive-behavior therapy for anxiety and depression. Only 2 apps had documented research to support their efficacy for use with youth or emerging adults.

Discussion: Based on this review there remains a need for mHealth interventions targeting adolescents and young adults with mental health concerns that have been scientifically validated, incorporate the expertise of a mental health professional, and use security protocols to protect user privacy.