Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Web Secret 479: PsyberGuide

There are hundreds of mental health apps and wearables out there, promising help for everything from anxiety to depression to more.

How do you know if they work?

You turn to an amazing resource, PsyberGuide.com.

Here is their manifesto:

"PsyberGuide is a non-profit website dedicated to consumers seeking to make responsible and informed decisions about computer and device-assisted therapies for mental illnesses.

PsyberGuide is also intended for professionals and researchers seeking to enhance their knowledge in this area.

PsyberGuide's goal is to provide accurate and reliable information about software designed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety disorders. PsyberGuide is committed to ensuring that this information is available to all, and that it is free of preference, bias, or endorsement."

PsyberGuide is a project of The One Mind Institute, a leading non-profit organization devoted to funding cures for brain illnesses." And a remarkable organization in and of itself.

If you go to their "Product Listing," you will note that each app is listed along with a PsyberGuide rating that corresponds to the amount of research and support backing the product. In addition, there is an App Quality Score on a scale of 1 to 5. Finally, there is a link to an expert review - if one exists.

How is that for thorough evidenced based vetting?

The founder of PsyberGuide, Stephen Schueller, PhD, is a member of the Internet World Health Research Center, a remarkable institution whose mission is to harness the power of technology to reach those most in need with effective interventions that can be administered via the Internet or via a mobile device.

Their goals are:
  • To contribute to the reduction of global health disparities
  • To develop evidence-based self-help Internet and mobile-based interventions and to make them available to anyone around the world at no cost
  • To conduct innovative eHealth and mHealth research.
I'm already feeling better.

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