Giving Compass' Take:

• Fast Company writes of a new study arguing that modern mental health apps are overplaying their efficacy to customers because the reality is most don’t have any scientific evidence or peer-reviewed studies to back up their promises.

• How can funders of health apps work to make sure there's more science backing their products? 

• To learn about investing in mental health, click here. 

Apps and AI-enabled digital tools were hailed as the long-sought solution to the mental health crisis, but how do they actually measure up?

Researchers identified 1,435 mental health apps in stores such as Google Play and iTunes. They then analyzed the claims on 73 mental health apps related to depression, self-harm, substance use, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Of those, 64% claimed effectiveness at diagnosing a mental health condition or improving symptoms or self-management. In 44% of cases, scientific language was most frequently used to support claims.

Read the full article on mental health apps by Rina Raphael at Fast Company.