Technology in Mental Health: Trends and Key Insights

This article is packed with crucial tech insights for companies and startups that want to stay ahead of the latest mental health technology innovations.

 

Technology in mental health? It's here to stay.

 

As we look to the future, it's clear that taking care of mental health will become as routine as checking your email or counting your steps. Integrating mental health features into everyday tech is inevitable.

 

Take the new iPhone, for example. iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10 will have built-in mental health tracking. With Apple's latest system, users can log their emotions and moods, gain insights, and quickly access resources.

 

This seamless integration shows how mental health care is becoming a regular part of our daily digital lives.

 

In this article, we’ll:

 

• Explore the future of digital mental health
• Examine the different types of technology in mental health
• Look at emerging trends shaping mental healthcare

 

At Onix, we’re experts in software outsourcing with a talented team focused on healthcare technology. With years of experience, we’ve developed solutions like meditation apps, VR meditation experiences, and mental health apps.

 

So, we definitely have something to share with you!

A personalized AI-driven meditation app created by Onix

Digital Mental Health: Global Market Analysis

Instead of going into a long explanation about the growing popularity and inevitable integration of mental health technology innovations, let’s look at the numbers from the Grand View Research report.

 

Mental Health Apps Market Size

The global mental health apps industry is set to hit around $17.5 billion by 2030.

 

This growth is driven by:

 

• more people are using these apps to improve their treatment outcomes and lifestyle
• raising awareness about mental health
• these apps support overall well-being and help boost productivity, especially for professionals.

Source: Grand View Research 

 

Application Insights

In 2023, depression and anxiety management apps led the market, capturing 29.3% of the revenue.

 

This growth is mainly due to the rising rates of these conditions and increased awareness of how mental health apps can help.

 

For example, a WHO report from March 2023 revealed that depression affects about 280 million people worldwide, highlighting the widespread need for these types of apps.

Platform Insights

iOS segment:

 

• Dominated the market with a 48.9% revenue share in 2023.
• Increased iOS adoption among consumers.
• Enhanced health functionalities were introduced in iPadOS 17, iOS 17, and watchOS 10, and new mental health features were introduced for mood logging and analyses.

 

Android segment:

 

• Expected to grow at the fastest rate due to high usage rates and cost-effectiveness of Android smartphones.
• In 2024, 48.2% of the global population, or 3.9 billion people, use Android smartphones.
• Google Play had over 2.6 million apps and 113 billion downloads in 2023, indicating high penetration and growth potential.

 

Top Mental Health App Companies

Here are some of the top players in the mental health apps market. These companies lead the industry and set the trends:

 

8 Mental Health Technology Trends and Innovations

Looking ahead to 2025, mental health and technology innovation are set to make significant advances.

 

 

Here are the key trends and innovations that will shape the future of mental health care:

 

1. AI and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning are making mental health care more personalized, proactive, and accessible, promising significant improvements in services and outcomes.

 

The key mental health innovations they offer are:

 

• Personalized therapy. AI tailors therapy sessions to individual needs, improving outcomes.

 

• Chatbots and virtual therapists. AI-powered chatbots offer immediate, 24/7 support and counseling.

 

AI chatbots are proving to be very effective in easing depression symptoms. Studies have shown that these AI-based conversational agents can significantly reduce symptoms of depression. In fact, people who used these chatbots experienced about a 64% greater reduction in symptoms than those who didn’t.

 

• Enhanced diagnosis. AI assists in more accurate and quick diagnoses through data analysis.

 

• Improved treatment plans. AI dynamically adjusts treatment plans based on patient progress.

 

• Predictive analytics. Machine learning predicts mental health crises, enabling early intervention.

 

A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that an AI algorithm can predict suicide attempts with impressive accuracy — 92% for the next week and 85% for the next two years. This is a significant breakthrough, as predicting suicide risk has been challenging for clinicians in the past.

 

Read also: How AI can transform your business: 8 applications

 

For example, Onix has developed InnerAI, a meditation and mindfulness app that goes beyond simple guidance. Thanks to its artificial intelligence, InnerAI offers a deeply personal and highly effective meditation experience, helping users reduce stress and enhance their mental well-being anytime, anywhere.

AI-driven meditation app created by Onix

 

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Therapy

One more digital innovation in mental health is VR and AR technology that offers new ways to improve treatment and patient outcomes:

 

• Exposure therapy. Controlled environments help patients confront and manage fears safely.
• Stress reduction. VR creates calming virtual spaces for stress and anxiety relief.
• Enhanced CBT. Realistic scenarios in VR aid in practicing coping strategies.
• Social skills training. VR provides a safe space for practicing social interactions.
• Remote therapy. VR facilitates accessible remote therapy sessions.

 

Onix has developed InnerVR, a meditation and relaxation game for Oculus Quest 2. It combines guided mindfulness sessions in beautiful virtual worlds with activities that help players relax and unwind.

A screenshot of the InnerVR meditation app developed by Onix

 

Innovative Mobile Apps

The global mHealth market is projected to surpass $269.31 billion by 2032.

 

This growth is driven by people’s increasing focus on personal health and the rising use of smart devices and wearables. With busy lifestyles and a preference for minimizing in-person visits, more people are using mHealth solutions to track their health information and manage their well-being easily.

 

Mobile apps are mental health tech innovation that makes health care more accessible, personalized, and effective, empowering users to take charge of their mental well-being.

 

Mobile apps are transforming mental health care by offering:

 

• 24/7 support. Immediate help through chatbots and crisis text lines.
• Mood tracking. Tools to monitor mood and identify patterns.
• Guided therapy. Access to CBT and mindfulness exercises.
• Personalized care. Tailored recommendations based on user data.
• Community support. Connections to supportive online communities.
• Professional resources. Easy access to mental health professionals and appointment scheduling.

 

Read also: How to Develop a Doctor Appointment Booking System

 

Onix’s team recently joined a social project led by German healthcare professionals.

 

The project, called Solomiya, is a mobile app designed to support users dealing with stress, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and similar issues after traumatic events. The free app will offer information, strategies, activities, and tools to help users return to their normal lives.

Mobile mental health app built by Onix

 

Mental Health in the Workplace

Organizations are starting to realize that creating a healthy work environment is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business move. 

There's a growing need for new tools to handle the challenges of today’s workplaces. As a result, the market for corporate wellness software is expected to hit $1.04 billion by 2033.

 

Here are some key use cases of mental health solutions in the workplace:

 

• Stress management. Apps and programs for mindfulness and relaxation.
• Wellness apps. Tools for meditation, mood tracking, and self-help.
• Supportive communication channels. Confidential platforms for discussing mental health.
• Burnout prevention. Tools to identify and address burnout risks.

 

Read more: How to create a mood tracker app: features, tips & cost

 

For example, Unilever developed an app that provides health information and urgent assistance anytime. "To achieve a high-performing company, you need resilient, healthy employees," says Tim Munden, Unilever's chief learning officer. 

 

Wearables

The global wearable technology industry is set to hit $186 billion by 2030.

 

Wearables make mental health care more proactive and personalized, offering continuous support and insights for better emotional well-being.

 

Wearable technology enhances mental health care with:

 

• Mood monitoring. Tracks physiological signals to manage mood and stress.
• Stress management. Detects stress and offers relaxation exercises.
• Biofeedback. Helps users understand and manage their body’s responses.
• Sleep tracking. Provides insights to improve sleep quality.
• Activity tracking. Connects physical activity with mental well-being.
• Real-time alerts. Reminders for mental health activities and medication.

 

For example, Oura makes rings that track sleep and other health metrics. It can detect when your body shows signs of stress and adjust your daily goals accordingly, providing helpful feedback to manage your well-being.

 

Meditation and Calming Apps

Meditation, yoga, and quality sleep are essential for managing the stress of daily life. These apps help users relax and focus, some even incorporating gamification to engage users and counteract negative thoughts.

 

It’s no wonder that the demand for meditation and mindfulness apps is rising each year:

Meditation and calming apps enhance mental health by:

 

• Reducing stress. Offering guided meditations and relaxation exercises.
• Promoting mindfulness. Helping users stay present and focused.
• Improving sleep. Featuring calming exercises and sleep stories.
• Tracking mood. Allowing users to monitor mood and stress levels.
• Personalizing programs. Providing customized meditation plans.
• Offering convenience. Giving easy access to mental health tools anytime, anywhere.

 

Learn more: How to Create a Meditation App: Development & Cost

 

When we built a VR meditation app, we aimed to create immersive 3D environments that fully capture users' attention and block out real-world distractions.

 

This approach helps overcome common mindfulness challenges by:

 

• Offering unique and calming virtual spaces for meditation
• Helping users focus on the present moment
• Allowing users to choose their own visual and sound anchors
• Reducing mental clutter and wandering thoughts

 

You can check our InnerVR case study to learn more about how we created a mindfulness app:

Gamification

Gamification makes mental health care more engaging and enjoyable, enhancing accessibility and improving results.

 

The interactive and immersive nature of gaming can enhance mental health care:

 

• Engaging therapy. Interactive challenges and rewards make therapy more appealing.
• Behavioral tracking. Games track progress and motivate users with feedback.
• Skill development. Interactive scenarios help build coping skills.
• Stress relief. Calming games provide relaxation and stress relief.
• Increased motivation. Rewards and progress tracking encourage consistent use.
• Social interaction. Multiplayer games offer community support and connection.

 

For example, Happify is a gamified app that uses positive psychology to help users manage their emotional well-being.

 

It’s backed by research showing it can reduce depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The app includes features like gratitude exercises and mindfulness techniques to help users lower stress and improve their overall mood.

 

Digital Pills

Digital pills are an innovation in mental health care that helps track medication use and its effects. They contain tiny sensors that monitor when you take your medication and send this information to your phone or electronic health record.

 

Experts predict innovative pill technology will grow into a $7.5 billion industry worldwide by 2030.

 

Digital pills help healthcare providers understand how well patients are following their treatment plan and how it’s affecting their mental health.

 

Here are some key points about digital pills:

 

• Medication adherence. Sensors track when and how often medication is taken.
• Real-time data. Sends data to healthcare providers for monitoring and treatment adjustments.
• Improved monitoring. Connects with mobile apps for tracking and reminders.
• Enhanced communication. Data helps improve communication and care between patients and providers.
• Insightful analytics. Provides insights into patient behavior and medication effects.

 

For a practical example, consider the smart pill Abilify MyCite. It pairs the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole with a tiny, edible sensor. This sensor sends information about the dose taken to a patch worn by the patient, which then transmits the data to doctors or caregivers via a smartphone.

Ready to Build a Mental Health App? Onix is Ready to Help!

Mental health technology is moving fast, changing how we care for our mental well-being. And as mental health innovation ideas keep advancing, it’s set to make managing our mental health a natural and seamless part of our everyday lives.

 

Implementing the mental health tech trends we've discussed can help you provide more personalized treatments, streamline your operations, and help patients manage their mental health more effectively.

 

Onix offers a complete range of healthcare development services, including:

 

• Custom healthcare software development
• Telemedicine solutions
• Electronic health records (EHR) systems
• mHealth applications
• Healthcare data analytics
• Healthcare CRM systems
• Patient management systems
• Wearable health technology
• AI and machine learning solutions
• Compliance and security
• Health information exchange (HIE) solutions
• Healthcare cloud solutions

 

Choose what you need, and we will help you realize your idea.

 

If you have any questions or need an experienced team to build your mental health app, contact us — we’d be happy to help!

A client’s assessment of collaboration with Onix on mHealth app development

 

FAQ

 

What should we expect from mental health technology in 2025?

Anticipate groundbreaking developments such as advanced AI-driven therapies, immersive VR and AR treatments, enhanced wearable devices, and highly personalized mobile apps.

 

How does AI contribute to mental health care?

AI helps by providing personalized treatment plans, improving diagnostic accuracy, and predicting mental health issues before they become severe. It can analyze large amounts of data to tailor interventions to an individual’s needs.

 

What are digital therapeutics, and how do they work?

Digital therapeutics are software-based treatments designed to manage or treat medical conditions, including mental health disorders. They deliver evidence-based therapies through apps or online platforms, often using personalized and interactive methods to address specific health needs.

 

These tools are backed by scientific research and aim to improve health outcomes through structured, clinically validated interventions.

 

Are there mental health technologies designed specifically for children and adolescents?

Yes, there are apps and tools tailored to younger audiences, offering engaging and age-appropriate mental health support. These technologies often include features for parental involvement and family-based interventions.