Levelling up digital mental health: from proliferation to precision: from proliferation to precision

Rohit Shankar; John R. Terry; Christopher J. James; Richard A. Laugharne; Lia Ali; Krithika Anil; Asif Bachlani; Regi T. Alexander; Edward Meinert

doi:10.1192/bjp.2026.10684

Levelling up digital mental health: from proliferation to precision: from proliferation to precision

Rohit Shankar^*
, John R. Terry
, Christopher J. James
, Richard A. Laugharne
, Lia Ali
, Krithika Anil
, Asif Bachlani
, Regi T. Alexander
, Edward Meinert

^*Corresponding author for this work

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
University of Warwick
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Priory Group
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle University
Imperial College London
Kings College London

Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial

Abstract

Summary
Despite rapid growth, digital mental health tools rarely deliver meaningful clinical impact. Psychiatrists’ attitudes to technology and private–industry partnerships are key. To embed safe, effective technologies into real-world psychiatric care, a shift from proliferation to precision is required. Co-production, equity, implementation science and academia–industry–clinical partnerships need emphasis.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-4
Journal	British Journal of Psychiatry
Early online date	1 Jun 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2026.10684
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 1 Jun 2026

Keywords

diagnostic medicine
evidence-based mental health
health informatics
medical technology
mental health services

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10.1192/bjp.2026.10684

Cite this

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title = "Levelling up digital mental health: from proliferation to precision: from proliferation to precision",

abstract = "Summary Despite rapid growth, digital mental health tools rarely deliver meaningful clinical impact. Psychiatrists{\textquoteright} attitudes to technology and private{\textendash}industry partnerships are key. To embed safe, effective technologies into real-world psychiatric care, a shift from proliferation to precision is required. Co-production, equity, implementation science and academia{\textendash}industry{\textendash}clinical partnerships need emphasis.",

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doi = "10.1192/bjp.2026.10684",

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AU - Shankar, Rohit

AU - Terry, John R.

AU - James, Christopher J.

AU - Laugharne, Richard A.

AU - Ali, Lia

AU - Anil, Krithika

AU - Bachlani, Asif

AU - Alexander, Regi T.

AU - Meinert, Edward

PY - 2026/6/1

Y1 - 2026/6/1

N2 - Summary Despite rapid growth, digital mental health tools rarely deliver meaningful clinical impact. Psychiatrists’ attitudes to technology and private–industry partnerships are key. To embed safe, effective technologies into real-world psychiatric care, a shift from proliferation to precision is required. Co-production, equity, implementation science and academia–industry–clinical partnerships need emphasis.

AB - Summary Despite rapid growth, digital mental health tools rarely deliver meaningful clinical impact. Psychiatrists’ attitudes to technology and private–industry partnerships are key. To embed safe, effective technologies into real-world psychiatric care, a shift from proliferation to precision is required. Co-production, equity, implementation science and academia–industry–clinical partnerships need emphasis.

KW - diagnostic medicine

KW - evidence-based mental health

KW - health informatics

KW - medical technology

KW - mental health services

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105040709205

UR - https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/pms-research/2066/

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DO - 10.1192/bjp.2026.10684

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EP - 4

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

ER -

Levelling up digital mental health: from proliferation to precision: from proliferation to precision

Abstract

Keywords

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