Identifying sources of anxiety and pinpointing happiness is an exercise in self-awareness. For many, naming their anxieties can be akin to shining a light on those feelings that thrive in the shadows. This practice can reveal the emotional minefield one navigates in the modern world, from financial woes to health concerns and environmental anxieties.
Similarly, recognizing moments of joy can be a valuable exercise, shedding light on one’s overall positive mood. It’s particularly meaningful for those who have battled mental health and anxiety issues in the past, as it underscores personal growth.
Recently, Apple introduced new mental health features in Australia, set to launch in late September, extending the health features introduced almost a decade ago. These features enable users to track their mental state, logging daily moods ranging from very unpleasant to very pleasant, all while considering the factors influencing their emotional well-being.
In principle, mood-tracking applications appear to be a promising tool in the quest for better mental health.
Dr. Lauren Cheung, part of Apple’s clinical team involved in developing these features, highlights the global rise in depression and anxiety diagnoses, up by 25% over the last three years. She emphasizes the parity between mental and physical health, explaining that Apple aims to design tools that provide insights into both realms. Users can track how their moods evolve over time, correlating this data with other information from the Health app, such as sleep patterns, exercise routines, or even menstrual cycles.
The goal is to foster self-awareness through mood monitoring, helping individuals make informed choices about how they allocate their time and emotional energy. Furthermore, it may serve as an indicator of when professional help is necessary.
While numerous health apps, many involving mood tracking, are available, how effective are they in practice?
In June, Jeannie Paterson, a professor of law and co-director of the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics at the University of Melbourne, co-authored a report analyzing popular mental health and wellbeing apps (excluding the unreleased Apple app). The findings highlighted a lack of concrete evidence regarding the effectiveness of automated mental health and mindfulness apps, accompanied by concerns about privacy.
While these apps assure users that their personal data will not be sold or shared, once anonymized and aggregated, it becomes non-personal data. Most apps shared anonymized, aggregated data with advertisers and, in some cases, employers.
Paterson underscores the potential harm arising from this practice, as such data can be used to profile specific groups, impacting areas ranging from advertising and insurance to employment.
Data stored in Apple’s Health app remains confidential and is not shared with third parties without the explicit consent of users. Apple cannot access customer health data by default. However, Paterson maintains concerns about individuals tracking their moods without professional guidance, potentially exacerbating their mental state.
Dr. Cheung reassures that Apple’s feature prompts users to seek an assessment and help if they log multiple negative moods over a month. The app also directs users to local mental health services, provides fact sheets on mental well-being, and offers tips for managing it.
As the digital realm delves deeper into mental health monitoring, questions persist regarding privacy, efficacy, and the need for professional support. While technology can be a valuable ally, it should be wielded with care in the complex realm of mental health.
