Making mental health tech work: adoption, integration and the interoperability challenge 

From meditation apps to AI-driven therapy platforms, people in England are increasingly turning to digital tools to support their mental wellbeing. Yet despite this momentum, many tools still struggle to move from individual uptake to integrated service provision. The gap is not just about technology – it’s about interoperability, trust and system readiness. 

At Future Care Capital, we recently explored current public attitudes, behaviours and perceptions around mental health technology in England.  

The insights from our Digital Mental Health Tools User Report shed light not only on what tools people use and why but also on the challenges that still stand in the way of meaningful adoption at scale. 

What we found 

Our research offers a snapshot of the digital mental health landscape from a user’s point of view: 

• People use a wide variety of tools, often in ways that are highly personal, fragmented and informal 

• Users value convenience, privacy and on-demand access — but many remain uncertain about clinical quality and data security 

• There is strong interest in hybrid models of care, where digital tools complement face-to-face services, not replace them 

• COVID-19 accelerated digital uptake but also revealed the limits of disconnected systems and tools that don’t integrate with existing care pathways 

While enthusiasm for digital support remains high, the next phase of growth depends on addressing the deeper issues that limit adoption and impact. 

The interoperability problem 

One of the clearest barriers is interoperability — the ability for digital tools to work seamlessly with other systems, services and clinical pathways. 

Too often, digital mental health tools exist in isolation. Data from one platform cannot be shared with a GP or therapist. Tools cannot talk to each other or integrate with local service directories, clinical records or care planning systems. This creates duplication, limits insight and undermines continuity of care. 

For patients, this disconnect can lead to frustration or confusion. For clinicians, it can mean blind spots in care. And for commissioners and policymakers, it makes it difficult to evaluate outcomes or plan at scale. 

In short, innovation that cannot connect is innovation that struggles to embed. 

Why integration matters 

Effective mental health care – whether digital or face-to-face – depends on context. It depends on relationships, history, continuity and trust. Any digital solution that fails to recognise this is unlikely to be sustainable. 

Our report highlights users’ desire for tools that link to existing provisions: 

• Tools that allow them to track their well-being and share updates with a professional 

• Platforms that connect into a wider care plan or are recommended by a trusted provider 

• Interfaces that feel part of the service, not an add-on to it 

In this context, interoperability is not just a technical feature — it’s a clinical and emotional enabler. It’s how digital tools become part of the system, not separate from it. 

What needs to change 

Based on user insight and sector-wide experience, we believe three priorities should guide future development and adoption: 

1. Build for integration from the start – not as an afterthought. Consider how a tool fits within existing clinical journeys, workforce roles and organisational systems.
2.  Prioritise standards and interoperability – including open APIs, shared terminology and secure data protocols that allow for safe information flow.
3. Design with users, not just for them – recognising that trust, personalisation and flexibility are as important as functionality. 

Digital tools should not be judged solely on downloads or daily active users. They should be judged on whether they improve outcomes, support professionals and strengthen the system. 

We support innovation that understands the real-world complexity of health and care and that is willing to do the hard work of making things connect. Whether it’s mental health tech, immersive training tools or new models of delivery, our innovation management service helps ensure great ideas don’t just launch – they land. 

For more information about how we can help be the glue and oil in innovation, contact lauren@futurecarecapital.org.uk