PsiAN’s Position on Mental Health Apps

PsiAN supports tools and technologies when they increase access to quality care of lasting benefit. However, we are concerned with profit-driven apps, websites and platforms seeking revenue by discarding the therapeutic relationship, violating standards of professional practice ethics, and putting their commercial interests ahead of the best interests of patients. In addition, current technologies too often increase the stigma around seeking effective care, flood the marketplace with misleading claims, and make it more difficult for people to get the help they need. This position paper outlines PsiAN's position on these emerging mental health tools and technologies, including a list of red flags to identify problematic versions.

To push back on the near-ubiquitous advertising for these products, we've also developed a template for contacting businesses that accept advertising from app/tech companies.