Digital mental health tools are gaining traction, especially among younger adults. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults report using a self-guided online or digital tool, including nearly half of those aged 18–44
Apps and chatbots dominate digital mental health use. Among users, 60% report using a mental health-specific app, while nearly 50% report using a general chatbot
Comfort and cost drive adoption. Nearly 70% of users say digital tools feel more comfortable than speaking with someone directly, and about half cite affordability as a key reason
Rural users report the highest perceived value despite lower usage rates. Rural residents are less likely to use digital tools overall, but those who do are the most likely to say the tools are helpful
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Mental health disorders affect one in three U.S. adults each year, placing substantial human and financial costs on patients, families, providers, and payers. At the same time, the behavioral health system faces ongoing workforce and coverage gaps. While more Americans are turning to digital tools for support, the evidence on the clinical effectiveness of these tools varies.
The Bipartisan Policy Center, in partnership with Public Opinion Strategies, conducted a nationally representative, online survey on the use of apps and digital tools for mental health and well-being. This poll took place between December 10 and 15, 2025, and surveyed 1,000 registered voters across the United States.Below are key findings
The use of digital mental health tools varies by age, reflecting broader generational patterns in technology use. Younger adults, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are more likely to incorporate apps, chatbots, and online programs into their well-being management, perhaps reflecting having grown up surrounded by digital devices. Older adults report a range of barriers to adopting digital health technologies, including concerns about privacy, usability, and losing personal, relationship-based care.
Across the United States, rural health facilities are struggling to stay open. For the 60 million people—20% of the U.S. population—who live in rural communities, hospital closures and service cuts mean fewer care options and longer travel times for treatment. Many policymakers and providers have looked to technology as a tool that could potentially help bridge that gap and help expand care for rural residents without forcing them to travel.
At the same time, rural communities use telehealth and other digital health technologies at lower rates than their urban counterparts. Rural areas face greater challenges in broadband access and cost, which can make it more difficult to use digital health tools. Moreover, social isolation and loneliness have significant health and economic impacts for older adults living in rural communities
As internet access and smartphone ownership increase among U.S. adults, digital mental health tools present a significant opportunity to expand high-value digital mental health tools to rural and underserved communities. BPC’s survey results demonstrate that there is significant room for growth in expanding rural Americans’ use of digital mental health care
Notably, as part of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, all 50 states have included initiatives to expand access to digital health in rural areas. If you’d like to learn more, check outAdvancing Technology Innovation through the Rural Health Transformation Program
These findings reflect the wide range of digital health tools available, including self-guided videos, online therapy platforms, mobile wellness apps, and FDA-approved digital therapeutics. Self-guided and prescription digital mental health tools can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety and may reduce overall health spending, according to a 2025 evidence review
These technologies differ from general-purpose generative AI chatbots—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude—which do not provide clinically-validated support and deliver general affirming responses. Amid the loneliness epidemic, companion AI chatbots have also emerged to simulate trusted relationships, with the number of AI companion apps increasing by 700% between 2022 and mid-2025. While AI chatbots can serve as sources of connection, advice, and emotional support, they may also reinforce harmful behaviors among vulnerable users.
A newer category of AI chatbots specifically trained for mental health care is also emerging. For example, the mental health startup Slingshot AI, backed by $93 million in seed funding, launched its new AI-powered therapy tool Ashin 2025. Additionally, Therabot has shown early clinical efficacy in the first-ever clinical trial for a generative AI-powered therapy chatbot
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, check outThe Promise and Policy Challenges of Digital Mental Health Solutions
User preference is a major driver of the shift toward digital tools. Individuals may feel more comfortable using these solutions because they offer perceived privacy, anonymity, and a non-judgmental space to express concerns
Adults aged 18-34 are particularly likely to say that stigma associated with seeking help or treatment is a large obstacle to getting mental health treatment.Some may appreciate that many digital solutions are accessible 24/7, allowing users to engage at their own pace and on their own terms. Together, these trends highlight a broader evolution in care, as individuals increasingly supplement traditional services with flexible, on-demand digital support in the comfort of their home.
Respondents report positive experiences with online tools, including mental health apps and general-purpose chatbots. Although rural residents use these tools less frequently, those who do are the most likely to report that they find them useful
Results of studies examining the clinical effectiveness of these tools are mixed. As stated above, research shows that self-guided and prescription digital mental health interventions can lessen symptoms from mental health disorders. However, general-purpose chatbots are not clinically validated, and recent lawsuits and safety reports have raised concerns about their role in harmful interactions, including cases involving mental health crises.
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the use of digital health tools could help Americans access the support they need. Policies should ensure these tools meet safety and effectiveness standards while avoiding unnecessary barriers to accessing high-value care. In the year ahead, BPC will closely monitor technological advancements and work to shape policies that harness technology to improve health outcomes and make health care more affordable.
Want to learn more? BPC has focused extensively on strengthening behavioral health care and leveraging digital solutions to improve care and lower costs
