Today, there are over 21,000 mental health apps available worldwide, with thousands downloaded every single day. Yet, despite this abundance, ORCHA’s global analysis shows a worrying reality: only around 20% meet key clinical, safety, and data privacy standards. This matters because behind every download is a person, often someone struggling deeply and urgently.
Take Sophie, for example. She’s 17 years old and navigating depression. She’s been waiting months for a mental health assessment, but in the meantime, her feelings of isolation and despair are growing. Waiting lists like hers are a global challenge. Demand is rising, services are stretched, and tragically, rates of self-harm and suicide continue to climb.
Now imagine if Sophie could access a safe, evidence-based digital tool while she waits. One that offers clinically proven coping strategies, connects her with supportive communities, and safeguards her data. A tool like this doesn’t just help Sophie, it can reach millions of others in the same position, providing timely support when traditional services cannot.
The Urgency: A Global Challenge
Mental health needs are escalating worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, depression is now the leading cause of disability globally, with suicide the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15–29. The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened the crisis, leaving services overwhelmed and individuals without timely support.
In the UK alone, the NHS waiting list for mental health services now numbers in the millions. Similar backlogs exist across Europe, North America, and beyond. In low- and middle-income countries, the challenge is even more acute, with treatment gaps of up to 85% for those living with mental illness.
Against this backdrop, digital health solutions aren’t just a nice-to-have, they are a vital part of the solution. The question is not whether people will use them, but whether the ones they reach for are safe and effective.
Adoption of Digital Health
Digital health is convenient and discreet, easily accessed with a tap of the button. It is particularly relevant to those targeted by the Government’s Mental Health Recovery Action Plan. The charity Young Minds has reported that young men and boys, in particular, are concerned about the stigma of receiving mental health support and often prefer online support, advice, and counselling. Key workers, too, are among the least likely to engage with traditional services due to stigma, meaning digital offers an alternative that can feel safer and more accessible.
For mental health services, the benefits are also clear. Apps can act as an early support system, reducing the time people are left without help while waiting for face-to-face care. Later, once a therapist is seen, apps can reinforce strategies and track information. The Mental Health Foundation has also highlighted financial benefits, noting that online or blended approaches are often more cost-effective and can reduce direct costs compared to traditional treatment.
ORCHA’s work gives us unique insight into this adoption. We provide digital health support to NHS services in 70% of regions and to national bodies across the world, including Holland, Israel, and Finland, serving a population of around 20 million. During the pandemic, ORCHA saw searches for mental health apps increase by over 200%, demonstrating a clear appetite for digital psychological support.
This growth varied across conditions: searches for OCD apps rose by 422%, mindfulness by 2,483%, anger by 324%, and anxiety by 328%. This level of demand shows commissioners and developers that well-designed digital tools will not only be used but welcomed by those with unmet needs.
Why Quality Matters
Despite high demand, the quality of apps remains inconsistent. ORCHA has assessed 676 mental health apps to date, reviewing them against more than 350 measures and international standards. Only about 32% meet ORCHA’s minimum quality threshold. This dips lower in some condition areas, highlighting just how variable quality can be.
The risks are real. A review published by the Karolinska Institute in 2014 found that some suicide prevention apps included harmful content, such as explicit descriptions of suicide methods, content that could worsen risk for vulnerable users. Without adequate testing and oversight, such dangers remain undetected.
For clinicians, this lack of clarity can be paralysing. As one GP shared with us: “I see so many young patients struggling, but I hesitate to recommend an app unless I know it’s safe. Having trusted, validated options could change that.” This is why quality assurance matters. We need the ambition and infrastructure to ensure trusted access to digital mental health technologies that are timely, safe, and transformative.
The Evidence: Does Digital Work?
The evidence base for digital mental health solutions is growing rapidly. Research shows that digital therapies can achieve outcomes comparable to face-to-face therapy, particularly when supported by trained professionals. A meta-review of randomised controlled trials found that smartphone interventions produced significantly greater reductions in anxiety compared to waitlist controls.
In 2019, NICE updated its depression in children guideline, recommending digital CBT for young people with mild depression. As NICE stated: “We want to ensure children are offered a range of therapies to suit their needs and individual preferences… The evidence showed digital CBT and group therapy were most effective at reducing depressive symptoms, and we have recommended these as first-line options.”
This demonstrates that digital is not only viable but increasingly mainstream in clinical guidance. The challenge is ensuring people are connected with high-quality options.
Learning from Best Practice
There are encouraging examples of how safe, evidence-based digital tools are being integrated into mental health care:
- Mind UK has relaunched its trusted Mind App Library powered by ORCHA, giving people and families reliable access to evidence-based mental health apps.
- ORCHA worked with a suicide prevention helpline to equip staff with safe, effective app recommendations at moments of acute crisis. Support that has proven to be a literal lifeline.
- The Mental Health Commission of Canada and the American Psychological Association are both leading by rigorously evaluating tools and giving professionals clear guidance on what can be safely recommended.
From the 676 apps ORCHA has tested, more than 200 passed international standards and met our quality thresholds. This shows there are excellent solutions available—if systems have the governance and expertise to identify and embed them.
ORCHA’s Role
At ORCHA, our mission is to close this trust gap. Our platform provides the world’s most comprehensive health app review system, giving patients, clinicians, and health systems the confidence to adopt safe digital tools. Our partnerships with health systems, charities, and national bodies enable us to integrate trusted solutions into care, reducing risk and maximising impact.
From powering the Mind App Library to supporting NHS services in 70% of regions, we are helping ensure that people like Sophie have timely, safe, and effective tools at their fingertips.
A Lifeline We Can Build
The truth is, technology alone isn’t enough. But when it’s safe, effective, and integrated into care, it becomes a lifeline. For Sophie, this could mean learning coping strategies, tracking her mood, or getting support in the exact moment she needs it most. For millions globally, it could mean shorter waiting times, reduced crises, and help reaching those who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
In tough times, digital health can be more than convenient, it can be life-saving. But only if we get it right.
What Needs to Happen Next
To unlock the full potential of digital mental health support, we need:
- Policy and regulation that enforce clear, global standards for safety, privacy, and effectiveness.
- Investment in scaling trusted digital solutions and embedding them into health systems.
- Collaboration between governments, health services, charities, and technology providers to build sustainable digital care pathways.
- Education for clinicians and patients, ensuring they know how to access and use safe tools.
Sophie’s story is just one among millions. By ensuring digital tools are safe, evidence-based, and accessible, we can provide real hope and timely support. Not in years, but in the moments when it’s needed most.
This is the lifeline we can and must build together.