Digital Mental Health: Apps, Teletherapy, and Privacy Considerations

More people are using apps and online therapy than ever before. In 2024, over 7 billion downloads of mental health apps were recorded worldwide. That’s more than the entire population of Europe. But here’s the problem: most of those apps get deleted after a few weeks. Why? Because people download them hoping for relief, but end up feeling more frustrated than before.

What You’re Actually Getting in a Mental Health App

Not all mental health apps are the same. Some are just guided meditations with calming music. Others claim to be AI therapists that talk you through panic attacks. The truth? Only a small fraction have any real clinical backing. Apps like Calm and Headspace are popular because they’re easy to use and look nice. But they don’t treat depression or anxiety-they help you relax. If you’re struggling with persistent low mood, sleep issues, or constant worry, you need more than breathing exercises.

Then there are apps like Wysa and Youper. These use AI to simulate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Wysa has been tested in 14 clinical studies. Youper has published 7 peer-reviewed papers. That means real scientists looked at whether these tools actually help people feel better. The results? Mixed. Some users report feeling less anxious after a few weeks. Others say the chatbot repeats the same phrases over and over, and it feels robotic. One user on Reddit wrote: “I told Wysa I was suicidal. It responded with ‘I’m here to listen’ and then suggested a mindfulness exercise.” That’s not enough.

The biggest segment in this market? Depression and anxiety management. It makes up nearly 30% of all revenue from mental health apps. But here’s the catch: if you’re not seeing progress in 4 to 6 weeks, you’re probably not getting the help you need. These apps aren’t replacements for therapy-they’re supplements. And if you’re relying on them because you can’t afford or access a real therapist, you’re not alone. But you should know the limits.

Teletherapy: Real People, Real Help, Online

Teletherapy is different. It’s live video calls with licensed therapists-same as sitting in an office, just over Zoom. Platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace connect you with counselors who have real degrees, certifications, and years of experience. The matching process is often better than you’d get in a local clinic. You fill out a survey, and within 24 hours, you’re paired with someone who fits your needs: trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ friendly, experienced with grief, etc.

But it’s expensive. Most plans cost between $60 and $90 per week. That’s more than a gym membership, and you can’t cancel anytime without penalties. Many users complain about hidden fees, automatic renewals, and difficulty getting refunds. Trustpilot reviews for BetterHelp show a 3.8 out of 5 rating. The positive reviews? People love their therapists. The negative ones? They’re all about money. “I was told I’d get unlimited messaging,” one user wrote. “Turns out ‘unlimited’ means 5 messages a day, and anything extra costs extra.”

Still, teletherapy has one huge advantage: accessibility. In rural Australia, or anywhere with long waitlists for public mental health services, teletherapy can be the only option. A 2025 study found that people using teletherapy combined with app-based tools had a 43% higher completion rate than those using either one alone. That’s the sweet spot-human support + digital tools.

The Privacy Problem You’re Not Thinking About

Here’s the scariest part: your mental health data might not be safe. A 2025 review of 578 mental health apps found that 87% had serious privacy flaws. That means your mood logs, journal entries, voice recordings, and even location data could be sold to advertisers, data brokers, or third-party trackers.

Most apps don’t use end-to-end encryption. That means your messages to your therapist or AI chatbot might be stored on servers owned by companies with no medical licensing. Some apps share your data with Facebook, Google, or analytics firms just by installing them. One app, which claimed to help with PTSD, was found sending user data to a marketing company in China. No one knew until a security researcher exposed it.

Even apps that say they’re “HIPAA compliant” (a U.S. privacy standard) aren’t necessarily safe for everyone. HIPAA doesn’t apply outside the U.S. And many apps don’t follow it at all. If you’re in Australia, the U.S., or Europe, your data is protected under different laws-but most apps don’t tell you which rules they follow. You’re trusting them with your most private thoughts, and you have no way to verify if they’re keeping their promises.

Here’s what you can do: check the app’s privacy policy. Look for words like “encrypted,” “no third-party sharing,” and “data deletion upon request.” If it’s vague, skip it. Use apps that let you download your own data. And never use a work-provided mental health app unless you know how your employer accesses the data. Some companies use anonymized reports to track employee stress levels-but that anonymity can be broken.

Who’s Really Behind These Apps?

Most mental health apps aren’t built by psychologists. They’re built by tech startups chasing funding. In 2024, investors poured $1.3 billion into AI-driven mental health tools. That’s nearly half of all digital mental health funding. The goal? Scale fast, get users, sell the data, or get bought by a bigger company.

Compare that to Germany’s DiGA system. There, apps must pass strict clinical testing before being approved. Once approved, they’re covered by public health insurance. Forty-two percent of all DiGA approvals go to mental health apps-mostly for depression and anxiety. That’s not a startup trying to make a profit. That’s a government saying: “We trust this tool because it works.”

In the U.S. and Australia, there’s no such system. You’re on your own. That’s why so many apps disappear after a year. No clinical validation. No reimbursement. No oversight. Just a flashy app store listing and a subscription button.

Why Most People Quit

92% of people download a mental health app at least once. Only 29% are still using it after three months. Why? Three reasons:

1. App fatigue-too many notifications, too many features, too much pressure to “track your mood every day.”
2. Unmet expectations-you thought the AI would “fix” your anxiety. It didn’t.
3. Usability issues-clunky interfaces, slow loading, poor design. One study found users took an average of 3.2 minutes just to start a meditation session in some apps.

And then there’s the cost. Free versions are useless. You get one breathing exercise, one journal prompt, and that’s it. Everything else is locked behind a paywall. People get frustrated. They feel like they’re being manipulated. So they uninstall.

The apps that last? They’re the ones that feel like a real relationship. Not a product. One user said: “I stayed with my therapist on BetterHelp for 18 months because she remembered my dog’s name and asked about my job every week. That’s what kept me coming back.”

What Works-and What Doesn’t

Here’s what the evidence says:

• Works: Teletherapy with a licensed professional + occasional app use for mood tracking.
• Works for mild stress: Calm or Headspace for relaxation, not treatment.
• Works with oversight: DiGA-approved apps in Germany, or apps integrated into hospital systems.
• Doesn’t work: AI chatbots as primary treatment for depression or suicidal thoughts.
• Don’t trust: Apps that don’t list their clinical studies, privacy policy, or therapist credentials.

The future isn’t about replacing therapists with robots. It’s about giving therapists better tools. Imagine a therapist who sees your mood trends from your app, knows you skipped your sessions last week, and can reach out before you hit crisis mode. That’s the real promise.

How to Choose Wisely

If you’re looking for help, here’s your checklist:

1. Is there a licensed professional involved? If it’s just an app with no human contact, it’s not therapy.
2. Can you read the privacy policy? If it’s longer than 5 pages and written in legalese, avoid it.
3. Are there published studies? Search the app name + “clinical trial” on Google Scholar. If nothing comes up, proceed with caution.
4. Can you cancel anytime? No hidden contracts. No auto-renewal traps.
5. Does it feel human? If the app feels cold, robotic, or salesy, it’s not for you.

And if you’re in crisis? Call a helpline. Use Lifeline (13 11 14 in Australia) or the Crisis Text Line. Apps won’t save you in an emergency. People will.

What’s Next?

By 2027, experts predict 65% of mental health apps will link directly to real therapists. That’s a good sign. But only if the apps are regulated, transparent, and designed with real user needs-not profit margins.

The biggest mistake? Thinking technology alone can fix mental health. It can’t. But when it’s used the right way-with real people, real privacy, and real care-it can help. A lot.