Suicide prevention and depression apps' suicide risk assessment and management: a systematic assessment of adherence to clinical guidelines.
Laura MartinengoLouise Van GalenElaine LumMartin KowalskiMythily SubramaniamJosip CarPublished in: BMC medicine (2019)
Non-existent or inaccurate suicide crisis helpline phone numbers were provided by mental health apps downloaded more than 2 million times. Only five out of 69 depression and suicide prevention apps offered all six evidence-based suicide prevention strategies. This demonstrates a failure of Apple and Google app stores, and the health app industry in self-governance, and quality and safety assurance. Governance levels should be stratified by the risks and benefits to users of the app, such as when suicide prevention advice is provided.