Mental health apps are largely unregulated in Australia. Some experts fear vulnerable users could be harmed

Mental health apps are a growing industry, but there's no way to ensure that their contents are safe in Australia. (Reuters: Issei Kato)

Australians have begun increasingly relying on technology for mental health care — ranging from diagnostic and self-help tools, to online platforms that connect users with real or AI therapists.

It comes at a time when mental illness is growing in Australia. It's estimated nearly nine million Australian adults have experienced a mental disorder. However, mental health care is simultaneously becoming less accessible.