The Government has pledged to develop a low intensity digital mental health service, but will it actually take the pressure off mental health professionals?

Only 31% of GPs routinely recommend mental health apps to their patients — and overall most GPs say the apps haven’t helped reduce referrals to mental health professionals, a Healthed survey of 1930 GPs across Australia has found.

Just over half (52%) of GPs said the apps hadn’t reduced these referrals at all, while 37% estimated a reduction of 10% or less, and 9% said apps had likely contributed to an 11-25% drop.

Smiling Mind topped the list of most commonly recommended mental health apps, followed by This Way up, Mood Gym and BeyondBlue, respectively.

The results come on the back of the Government’s budget announcement of $163.9 million for a low intensity early intervention mental health service which aims to take the pressure off Better Access. The Government reckons 150,000 people will use the digital service each year.

The digital service will be modelled off the NHS Talking Therapies in England, according to the Government’s budget stakeholder pack.

The Talking Therapies service’s most recent annual report states that 49.9% of those who finished treatment recovered. But the report is silent on what proportion of people completed the course.

Previous research suggests low completion rates are common. A 2017 study looking at the Australian-based MindSpot program only analysed 0.5% of all people who initially went to the website, according to this critique of the digital health initiative recently published in Australian Doctor.

Will GPs buy-in?

Several GPs in Healthed’s survey pointed out that patients often try online mental health resources before ultimately booking to see their doctor when they realise they need additional support – or they use them while they’re waiting to see a mental health professional. Digital resources and apps can form a part of a treatment plan as an adjunct, but are unlikely to replace professional care, many said.

“It’s very dependent on patient population and self-motivation to continue an app. It can also be hard to develop an app that tailors to different age groups to be able to maintain their interest,” one GP commented.

“They have limited effectiveness as they require motivation, and most patients with mental health issues have problems with getting or remaining motivated,” another noted.

Other GPs worried about the negative impact of additional screen-time for people already struggling with their mental health.

“I disapprove, as they encourage more time on devices for young people with minimal real human contact, which is a direct cause of mental Illness in this age group,” another GP said.

Privacy concerns also factored into GPs reluctance to recommend apps, with the online counselling service BetterHelp found to be secretly sharing clients sensitive information with major advertisers last year.

What GPs have to say about mental health apps

“Some, such as This Way Up, are extremely effective. Many are a waste of time.”

“Great as an adjuvant. Accessible and a great place to start.”

“Patients generally prefer personal contact.”

“Most patients do not use them whenever I have recommended them in the past.”

“Benefits mild cases in motivated patients.”

““It plays an important part of management for mental health, but I have not seen it to reduce the need for referrals.”

“They’re a very poor substitute for human connection and in-person care.”