APA Labs launches resource to guide clinicians, health systems and the public to evidence-based digital mental health tools

APA Labs’ Digital Badge Solutions Library supports clinicians, health systems, and users in search of these tools

Washington — To help health care providers and users searching for digital mental health products they can trust, APA Labs has launched the Digital Badge Solutions Library, a resource of digital mental and behavioral health technologies that have been awarded an APA Labs Digital Badge.


APA Labs, a unit of American Psychological Association Services, Inc., developed its Digital Badge program in partnership with ORCHA, a leader in digital health product evaluations, to offer independent, evidence-based evaluation of digital mental and behavioral health technologies. The badge is awarded to technologies that submit for evaluation and meet proprietary criteria addressing regulation and safety, data protection and privacy, usability and accessibility. Evaluations of these criteria are grounded in scientific principles and regulatory alignment, based on a proprietary framework developed by APA Labs and intended to highlight best practices in a largely unregulated market.


“Navigating the vast landscape of digital health tools can be overwhelming,” said Chris Mosunic, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer at Calm, one of the first technologies featured in the Digital Solutions Library. “The Digital Badge program brings incredible value to the space by providing a trusted framework for safety, ethics and evidence-based practice. As an original supporter we’re proud to display a badge that helps people make informed, confident choices about digital mental health.


“Digital mental health apps are exploding to meet rising demand, yet care providers are often left stuck figuring out which tools to recommend,” said Raj Amin, CEO and Co-Founder at Arcade Therapeutics, the developer of the StarStarter for Anxiety app. “Earning the APA Labs Digital Badge helps provide that clarity—giving care providers confidence that our app has been evaluated for safety, ethics and evidence-based use and can serve as a meaningful complement to care.” 


The Digital Badge Solutions Library provides a searchable collection of technologies that have earned the APA Labs Digital Badge. As the library grows, it will support clinicians, health care systems, payers, funders and the general public in exploring, recommending and integrating digital mental and behavioral health tools. 


“Technology can significantly expand access to mental health support—but only when it’s grounded in scientific research and responsible design,” said Tanya Carlson, managing director, APA Labs. “The Digital Badge Solutions Library is designed to cut through a crowded and often confusing marketplace, offering trusted, independent guidance rooted in evidence, ethics and real world use.” 

To meet demand for independent evaluation, the Digital Badge Solutions Library launched with an initial cohort of early adopters. As more companies move through evaluation, the library will expand rapidly—helping shape shared expectations and best practices in a continuously evolving space. 


More information about the APA Labs Digital Badge Program and the Digital Badge Solutions Library is available on the APA Labs website.


About APA Labs 

APA Labs is a unit of APA Services, Inc. (APASI), the companion professional association of the American Psychological Association (APA). APA Labs supports the work of APASI through creative, collaborative, psychology-centered projects, programs, and solutions. 


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Abstract Demand is growing for safe, effective AI systems and digital mental health tools as users increasingly turn to them for support. In this News and Perspectives article, JMIR Correspondent Simon Spichak reports on a new initiative by the American Psychological Association, speaking with Managing Director Tanya Carlson about how the Digital Badge Program is helping developers improve their tools. Key Takeaways: The American Psychological Association (APA) developed the APA Labs Digital Badge Program to help developers improve their mental health apps. When the program presents companies with gaps related to security, usability, or other factors, they work to shore up their product to earn a bronze, silver, or gold badge. The APA is hoping the program will set a de facto standard for developers. Simon Spichak is the cofounder of Resolvve, a low-cost virtual therapy clinic. He has no financial or commercial relationship with APA Labs. Many around the world are turning to AI-powered chatbots for mental health support. These tools aren’t necessarily designed to be safe and effective clinicians and may leak sensitive information to third parties . The American Psychological Association (APA) is hoping to pave the way for safe, evidence-based mental health tech with the rollout of the APA Labs Digital Badge Program and the Digital Badge Solutions Library of apps that have gone through the program. While some libraries, like MindApps.org , provide prospective users with safety and privacy information, and MindBench.ai provides an independent audit of AI systems, the Digital Badge Program also allows companies to earn certification and shore up the quality of their apps. Based on the evaluation, which assesses criteria such as regulation and safety, data protection and privacy, and usability and accessibility, APA Labs provides a bronze, silver, or gold badge. JMIR Publications spoke with Tanya Carlson, MBA—managing director of APA Labs—about the program, how it works, and whether it’s improving the quality of digital mental health apps. The interview was edited for concision and clarity. How would you describe the Digital Badge Program and the Digital Badge Solutions Library? ... Continue reading the full article on JMIR Publications
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