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Open any app store and you’ll see an ocean of mental health tools. Mood trackers, artificial intelligence (AI) “therapists,” psychedelic-trip guides, and more are on offer. According to market research, industry analysts now count over 20,000 mental health apps and about 350,000 health apps overall. These numbers are thought to have doubled since 2020 as venture money and Gen Z demand have poured in. (Gen Z consists of those born between 1995 and 2015, approximately.)
But should you actually trust a bot with your deepest fears? Below, we unpack what the science says, take a look at where privacy holes lurk, and reveal a 7-point list on how to vet any app before you pour your heart into it.