MHRA publishes research on awareness and harm reporting for DMHT users
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published a report presenting findings from its research which explored how current and potential users of digital mental health technologies (DMHT) and intermediaries understood the potential for harm posed by DMHT, how they might recognise harm to themselves or others and how they could be encouraged and facilitated to report it via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme. The study found that although many participants had experience with mental health apps, few recognised the term DMHT or perceived significant risks, though some concerns were raised about excessive screen time, financial exclusion, use of AI, self-treatment, misdiagnosis and addiction. Awareness of the Yellow Card scheme was low, and most users were unlikely to report harms unless guided by healthcare professionals. Participants supported embedding simple reporting tools within apps and increasing awareness through NHS channels.