why i'm investigating mental health apps
Building VeedaMom has been one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences of my life so far.
I’ve been researching, interviewing people, and creating something that I hope truly matters. I’m working alongside professionals who are already doing the work while learning to become one of those professionals myself.
But I’d be lying if I said I never have doubts. The wellness and self-care tech space is booming right now, and honestly, that’s both exciting and deeply concerning.
Two big questions keep me up at night:
1. Is the market too crowded?
I don’t want to build something that just adds to the noise. I don’t want to be another app that confuses people about where to go for real help.
If there’s something out there already doing what I’m trying to build, and doing it well, then I don’t want to distract from that. I definitely don’t want to contribute to the spread of misinformation. There are already a lot of apps aimed at moms, and I’ve researched all of them, and something still feels like it’s missing.
I also know that if VeedaMom helps even one mom through pregnancy or postpartum, it will be worth it to me.
There’s still a case for building in a crowded market if I do so carefully, intentionally, and with a clear focus. Even in low-resource settings, caregivers have expressed hope that well-designed apps could support those they care for if they are accessible, thoughtfully made, and culturally sensitive [1]. But even now, language barriers, unfamiliarity with technology, and cost can stand in the way.
2. Can mental health apps ever be truly ethical?
We know therapy is inaccessible to a lot of people, especially those with lower incomes, tight schedules, or those living in areas without providers. Apps could bridge that gap in theory.
But here’s the thing: some of these apps are charging a lot. Some don’t even do what they promise, and some might even be harming those they claim to help. The APA just released an advisory on the risks of generative AI chatbots and wellness apps for mental health.
So… are mental health apps actually helping? What about TikTok therapists? Or therapists turned TikTok stars? Or influencers who seem like they’re helping but aren’t licensed at all?
I don’t have the answers, but I want to explore what’s out there, what’s working, what’s dangerous, and what I can learn from it all as I continue building.
Where It Gets Complicated
Apps can improve access to mental health tools and support. That’s been backed by research [2].
However, from my viewpoint as someone who has spent 10+ years in the technology and software business, there are real issues that need to be addressed.
Data Privacy
Everyone needs to ask whether these apps or chatbots are selling your data?
Spoiler alert: a lot of them are.
A 2019 study found that 41% of popular mental health apps had no privacy policy at all [4]. Many requested sensitive permissions (such as location or access to contacts), and some even shared user data with law firms for personal injury marketing [4].
That’s not care… that’s exploitation. These apps are monetizing people’s pain.
App Effectiveness
There’s a significant gap between what many apps claim and what’s actually been tested.
One scoping review identified more than 2,700 mental health apps, but only 15 met the inclusion criteria as having scientific evidence supporting them [3].
96.3% of surveyed professionals said lack of information on apps was a significant barrier [2]. Despite marketing claims and research, many haven’t been rigorously tested, so it’s hard to know what actually works.
Misinformation and Influencer Culture
There is no official body checking app content or influencer advice, and no one ensures that claims are evidence-based or responsible. The “mental health tech” right now is literally the wild wild west.
Anyone can stake a claim or say that their app is designed to help with mental health.
Even creators who mean well can give advice that can lead people away from real, evidence-based care. This can cause real harm [5].
Remember Belle Gibson? She claimed she cured cancer with food and positive thinking and built an empire off of it. Except… she never had cancer. Not saying all influencers are that extreme, but the lack of oversight is scary.
AI in Mental Health
AI is showing up in apps now, too, in the form of chatbots, emotion analysis, and self-diagnosis tools.
There are lawsuits around AI-based tools contributing to serious harm, even suicide. At the same time, AI could help combat loneliness and improve access to support for people who don’t feel ready to speak with a human.
It is complicated, and it deserves scrutiny, research, and a healthy dose of skepticism.
So... Why Build an App at All?
Because I believe it can be done differently.
Some apps are built with care, transparency, and collaboration with real professionals. They are focused on access, not profit. I want to learn from these apps.
So, I’m asking (and researching): What works? What doesn’t? And how can we build better?
References
Sinha Deb, K., Tuli, A., Sood, M., Chadda, R., Verma, R., Kumar, S., ... & Singh, P. (2018). Is India ready for mental health apps? A quantitative-qualitative exploration of caregivers’ perspectives on smartphone-based solutions for managing severe mental illnesses in low-resource settings. PLOS ONE, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203353
Nogueira-Leite, D., Diniz, J. M., & Cruz-Correia, R. (2023). Mental health professionals’ attitudes toward digital mental health apps and implications for adoption in Portugal: Mixed methods study. JMIR Human Factors, 10, e45949. https://doi.org/10.2196/45949
Ahmed, A., Ali, N., Giannicchi, A., Abd-alrazaq, A. A., Ahmed, M. A. S., Aziz, S., & Househ, M. (2021). Mobile applications for mental health self-care: A scoping review. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 1, 100041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpbup.2021.100041
Parker, L., Halter, V., Karliychuk, T., & Grundy, Q. (2019). How private is your mental health app data? An empirical study of mental health app privacy policies and practices. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 64, 198–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.04.002
Shearer, E., Naseer, S., Liedke, J., & Matsa, K. E. (2024). How Americans get news on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2024/03/06/how-americans-get-news-on-tiktok-x-facebook-and-instagram/