Systematic Review of Mental Health Apps in Virtual Stores
Key Study Objectives
- To conduct a systematic review of mental health apps available on Android and iOS stores using standardized evaluation methods.
- To create a curated, user-friendly repository that helps individuals and professionals explore, compare, and identify mental health apps suited to their needs.
Study Design
- Frameworks used: Target User, Evaluation Focus, Connectedness and Health Domain (TECH) approach (Gasteiger et al., 2023), and PASSR checklist (Marshall et al., 2024)
- Screening process: Apps reviewed using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria; eligible apps downloaded and analyzed.
- Quality assessment: Conducted using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) (Stoyanov et al., 2015)
Target Group
End-users and mental health professionals with felt needs to access streamlined information on mental health apps available to Indian smartphone users, so as to support informed and efficient decision-making.
Current Status
Repository live and accessible online – featuring apps reviewed and rated.
Link to Related Publication
Mental Health Apps Available in App Stores for Indian Users: Protocol for a Systematic Review
Evaluating Characteristics and Quality of Mental Health Apps Available in App Stores for Indian Users: Systematic App Search and Review
Mobile App Repository
The app repository offers a structured catalogue of mental health applications, searchable by tags such as mental health concern, features, therapeutic approach etc. It serves as a practical guide for end users and professionals to explore, compare, and identify apps that may best align with their specific needs and preferences. Explore the mobile app repository here.
Note: The research team conducted an objective review of apps using predefined criteria and the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). The pool of apps consisting of fully free apps, those offering free trials, and paid apps with free sections which were found relevant for the study purpose were selected for detailed evaluation. Apps with an overall average MARS rating of 3 or above are included in the repository. App descriptions are drawn directly from the respective app stores. The reviewers do not endorse or recommend any specific app; the repository is intended solely as a resource for end users and professionals to explore available options and make informed choices based on their individual needs.
The mental health app landscape is highly dynamic, with new applications emerging rapidly and existing ones frequently being updated or removed from virtual stores. To the extent feasible, the research team at the Centre aims to conduct periodic reviews of mental health applications available on app stores to ensure the inclusion of newer apps and to maintain a repository that remains current, relevant, and reflective of emerging trends in digital mental health tools.