Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s first province to launch a Mental Health and Addictions App Library to help further increase access to supports and services for individuals experiencing mental health and addictions challenges.
The new digital library includes apps that have passed the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps to ensure access to safe, evidence-based and equitable apps related to mental health, substance-use health, addictions and wellness.
These apps contain resources and self-help tools to support individuals with mental health or substance use challenges, build healthier routines, access supports or provide additional support between therapy sessions.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Mental Health and Addictions App Library can be accessed through the Bridge the gapp website.
The Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps has been developed by the Organization for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), and provides an assessment based on seven standards. These include:
- Data and privacy
- Clinical evidence
- Clinical safety
- User-ability and accessibility
- Security and technical stability
- Cultural safety, social responsibility and equity
- Enhanced data sovereignty
The Department of Health and Community Services continues to work with ORCHA and MHCC to assess apps recommended by local health care providers and individuals with lived and living experience of mental health challenges and addictions. To date, five apps have completed the Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps with Newfoundland and Labrador and have been added to the digital library. These include Breaking Free, Mindwell, PTSD Family Coach, Moshi Kids, and Sorted: Mental Health. Other apps assessed on the MHCC framework by other provinces are also included in the library, along with over 150 mental health apps from around the world assessed in a baseline review directly by ORCHA.
In 2024, the Provincial Government committed one-time funding of $125,000 to assess apps through the MHCC’s Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps, and to develop the province’s Mental Health and Addictions App Library. Budget 2025 includes one-time funding of $95,000 to extend the license for the Mental Health and Addictions App Library for one year, and to further build on this work with the MHCC and ORCHA.
The new digital app library complements a number of Provincial Government initiatives to increase access to mental health and addictions supports in the province, including expansion of community services as well as a new Mental Health and Addictions Centre.
Quotes
“Mental health and well-being apps have become increasingly popular in Canada and around the world. Newfoundland and Labrador has been recognized internationally as a leader when it comes to e-mental health. With the province’s new Mental Health and Addictions App Library, we can ensure people across the province have access to safe and effective digital mental health and addictions resources anytime, anywhere, and free of cost.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services
Minister Responsible for Mental Health and Addictions
“We applaud Newfoundland and Labrador for becoming the first province to implement the MHCC App Assessment Framework and a Mental Health and Addictions App Library. This innovative step demonstrates a commitment to expanding access to safe, evidence-based digital mental health resources. By ensuring these tools meet rigorous privacy, clinical evidence, and equity standards, the province is helping residents and health care providers navigate mental health supports with confidence.”
Michel Rodrigue
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mental Health Commission of Canada
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Learn more
Mental Health and Addictions App Library
Mental Health and Addictions Services
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