# Cultivating Digital Wellness: Embracing Mobile Mental Health Apps in Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

Many Saudis know about mental health apps but few use them, with young women most likely to engage, and app acceptance linked to perceived performance rather than privacy concerns.

## Contribution

This study identifies demographic and behavioral predictors of mental health app usage in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing performance expectancy over privacy concerns.

## Key findings

- 68.9% of participants were aware of mental health apps, but only 20% actively used them.
- Performance expectancy was the strongest predictor of app acceptance, while privacy concerns had little impact.
- Young adults and women showed higher awareness and use of mental health apps.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?

68.9% were aware of smartphone mental health apps, but only 20% of them made use of them, highlighting the significant awareness–use gap.

Female and young adults (18–24 years) demonstrated increased awareness and use.

Acceptance was predicted best by the performance expectancy, and the privacy concern did not significantly affect it.

What are the implications of the main findings?

The gap between awareness and utilization highlights the need for promoting active use of mental health interventions.

App usability and user experience must be optimized by the developers to create broader acceptance.

Findings are in support of integrating digital mental health tools into Saudi Vision 2030 strategies of accessible, patient-centered care.

Background: Mental health is increasingly prioritized in Saudi Arabia, with growing interest in digital solutions. Objectives: The study’s objective was to assess awareness, acceptance, and use of mobile mental health applications among Saudis. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey, based on the UTAUT model, explored performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and privacy concerns among 1613 participants. Results: While 68.9% were aware of at least one mental health app, only 20% actively used them. Awareness was influenced by gender, age, employment, marital status, and region, whereas utilization depended on gender, age, education, region, and acceptance. Performance expectancy strongly predicted usage. Conclusions: Despite high awareness, usage of mobile mental health applications remains low in Saudi Arabia. Demographic factors affect awareness, and acceptance drives utilization. App developers should consider these factors to enhance engagement and effectiveness.