Buzz
Even before you hit the download button on an app designed to aid in meditation or manage your depression, it’s already making an impact. The marketing behind these apps often suggests that everyday challenges should be viewed as mental health concerns, and that you alone (with the app’s guidance) are responsible for fixing whatever is wrong.
These types of messages appeared repeatedly in the 61 apps analyzed in a recent study conducted by Lisa Parker from the University of Sydney. I had a conversation with her about the nature of these messages and the issues they present.
You're On Your Own
The very presence of these apps suggests that you and the app together are capable of solving your problems. This idea is reinforced even further if the app comes recommended by your therapist or doctor.
Social support plays a crucial role in managing mental health. Having a reliable network can greatly improve your well-being, and professional assistance might be necessary too. However, the apps largely overlook this aspect, says Parker. Moreover, the underlying causes of mental health struggles could stem from external factors beyond your control. There’s a delicate balance between focusing on what you can change and feeling guilty about things you can’t control.
When it comes to deciding if an app is suitable for your needs, you’re left to figure that out on your own. But how are you expected to know? For instance, Pacifica warns: “We make no guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of our advice for any purpose.” This puts all the responsibility on you, which is a heavy burden for anyone seeking help.
Mental health challenges are not always indicative of a mental disorder.
Life brings inevitable stress and disappointment, and if you're dealing with mental health challenges, those stresses can intensify or trigger symptoms. For instance, a looming deadline might cause a panic attack or lead to an afternoon of anxious, unfocused thoughts. (Trust me, I know from experience.) But just because someone worries about a deadline doesn’t mean they have a mental illness.
Certain apps in the study framed mental health issues as everyday inconveniences, like feeling tired or irritable. Some implied that you have a problem if you’re not constantly happy and upbeat. Other apps seemed to define mental health problems based on your achievements, such as success in school or relationships.
None of these are indicative of mental illness, unless they are part of a larger issue. For instance, if depression causes you to be unable to complete your homework, then yes, you may start falling behind in school.
Constantly hearing about being 'at risk of' mental illness can also be concerning. 'I worry about that message,' says Parker, as it can imply that people are fragile. You won’t accidentally develop mental illness just because you didn’t use an app.
The Individuals in the Apps Might Not Reflect Your Reality
Apps tend to make assumptions about their users. Despite mental health issues transcending race, class, and other factors, many apps assume that their users are white, middle-class, employed, and come from a loving family. 'Even something as basic as a mindfulness app shows white people with families attending the orchestra,' says Parker.
This might be fine if you fit that description, but many people don’t. If you belong to a marginalized group, browsing through these apps can make you feel even more isolated. And if you're facing severe challenges, like poverty or homelessness, your experience may be far removed from the idyllic images presented in these apps.
Apps are designed to keep you coming back.
Some apps offer a test to help you determine whether you have a condition that they can assist with. Parker is cautious about these tests, as they are often skewed to keep you engaged with the app. If you don’t have a problem, you might waste your time, but if you do have a serious issue, you could delay seeking proper treatment, thinking the app will be enough.
Apps also encourage frequent engagement. You might receive reminders to check in every day—or even multiple times a day. Some may make you feel guilty if you don't stick to the program. Even if an app is helpful, it might not justify the time and effort it demands.
How to Choose the Least Problematic Apps
There are no foolproof guidelines to help you find the perfect app. In fact, there may not be a perfect app at all, since very few—if any—of the available apps have been rigorously tested to determine if they actually improve users' mental health.
If you choose to use an app, Parker suggests that it's crucial to be aware of the messages it sends so that you can recognize and question them instead of letting them negatively influence you. She advises being cautious of privacy concerns, ad tracking, and subscriptions that might be easy to forget. Clarify what you want from the app—perhaps meditation tracks for relaxation—and select one that delivers just that.
The American Psychiatric Association offers a guide to evaluating mental health apps, though it's intended for therapists and is somewhat vague. The guide recommends doing thorough research on the company’s reputation, reading through its privacy policy, determining if there’s any evidence supporting the app’s effectiveness, and assessing whether it’s user-friendly and allows data sharing between the app and therapist.
Unfortunately, none of these steps are simple. How do you know what aspects of a privacy policy are truly important? Can you really trust the app developer? And by the way, nearly none of the apps available for download have any concrete evidence to prove they actually work.
So, we’re somewhat left to navigate this on our own—exactly when we shouldn’t be. Personally, I find meditation apps helpful for relaxation, so I’ll continue using them, but I’ll be more mindful of the messages they convey. Mental health apps aren’t inherently bad (especially if recommended by a therapist), but it's essential to pay attention to their messages and not take them at face value.
