AHRQ Offers Tips for Picking Mental Health mHealth Apps

To assist in the process of selecting resources, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a brief called “Evaluation of Mental Health Mobile Applications” to help healthcare experts pick out mental health mHealth apps.

Through the new brief, AHRQ aims to aid providers, patients, and payers in selecting mental health mobile applications and seeking the best fit based on various features. AHRQ said picking out apps is often tedious, so a more streamlined approach is needed.

Specifically, the report covers three areas: risk and mitigation strategies, functions, and mental health app features.

Risk and mitigation strategies cover the risk profile for the app, particularly the levels of integrity it brings and potential issues one may experience. Functions cover descriptive aspects ranging from accessibility to costs, along with organization levels and security details. The mental health app features cover journaling and mood description, along with functionality.

AHRQ notes that the creation of the report occurred at an urgent time, mainly due to the high number of people battling mental health conditions and the long distance to clinical locations.

Despite the high level of effectiveness that AHRQ expects from the brief, researchers note that a testing process may be required to confirm any systematic practicality.

Creating an assistive framework to aid the distribution or locating of resources is common.

The healthcare industry has been keen on using connected health to address mental health challenges.

 In May 2021, Sutter Health created a virtual care system directed toward young adults battling mental health conditions. Containing resources such as symptom information assistance, mental health management exercises, communication with family and friends, and overall health tools, the platform intends to provide fluent care to a population that is relatively familiar with technology.

Another system created in May 2021 used a text messaging program to help overwhelmed nurses. Providing resources relating to relaxation, methods of dealing with loss, self-compassion, and overall health, the system aimed to lead nurses to an improved mindset and allow them to live a healthier everyday life.

In June 2022, Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston sought to help veterans battling PTSD using virtual care services. Traditionally, PTSD is notorious for being hard to treat due to a level of subjectivity and difficulties exhibited when locating resources. However, this system intended to use telehealth sessions and mHealth apps to increase access to care.