I think a better question is if mental health apps actually help mental health.
You are still giving them pretty private information. If they actually provide a benefit, that might be worth it. But I am not convinced they are actually helpful.
My guess is that exercise, especially outdoor exercise or getting together with friends has far more mental health benefit than these apps and also much less privacy downsides.
Which mental health apps? There's a massive difference between Calm, Better Stop Suicide and PTSD-related apps. Also it's not like people are making a choice between whether they meet friends or install Calm.
> Also it's not like people are making a choice between whether they meet friends or install Calm.
Neither meeting friends or using an app are binary events. The more you spend time on one, the less you spend time doing anything else — in the limit including the other. There's considerable evidence to suggest app and/or media usage encroaching on in-person time. It seems plausible that people who can band-aid their feelings in an app may be less inclined to take the leap and talk about personal matters with friends.
But these are complex things - there would need to be a study to know for sure.
You are still giving them pretty private information. If they actually provide a benefit, that might be worth it. But I am not convinced they are actually helpful.
My guess is that exercise, especially outdoor exercise or getting together with friends has far more mental health benefit than these apps and also much less privacy downsides.