Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Youth mental health is still in crisis, with millions turning to digital tools for support. But without clear standards, it's hard to know what works or scale what does.
Youth mental health is still in crisis, with millions turning to digital tools for support. But without clear standards, it's hard to know what works or scale what does.
Youth mental health is still in crisis, with millions turning to digital tools for support. But without clear standards, it's hard to know what works or scale what does.
M.Cert is here to change that.
We’re doing this by bringing together leaders across sectors in health, technology, research, and philanthropy to establish a shared gold standard and eventual certification for digital mental health tools, making it easier for payors to fund, builders to innovate, and young people to access the highest quality support.
M.Cert is here to change that.
We’re doing this by bringing together leaders across sectors in health, technology, research, and philanthropy to establish a shared gold standard and eventual certification for digital mental health tools, making it easier for payors to fund, builders to innovate, and young people to access the highest quality support.
M.Cert is here to change that.
We’re doing this by bringing together leaders across sectors in health, technology, research, and philanthropy to establish a shared gold standard and eventual certification for digital mental health tools, making it easier for payors to fund, builders to innovate, and young people to access the highest quality support.
Our Vision: A Win–Win–Win Future
M.Cert believes in a triple win for the digital youth mental health ecosystem. We envision a world where everyone can access top-quality digital mental health support.
Our Vision: A Win–Win–Win Future
M.Cert believes in a triple win for the digital youth mental health ecosystem. We envision a world where everyone can access top-quality digital mental health support.
Our Vision: A Win–Win–Win Future
M.Cert believes in a triple win for the digital youth mental health ecosystem. We envision a world where everyone can access top-quality digital mental health support.
For Youth
We start with youth because they are the primary users of digital tools and will become the next generation of adults. Designing effective mental health tools for young people creates solutions that are safer, more accessible, and more effective for everyone. (Imagine a teen wanting support and easily finding an app that’s been vetted by research and trusted institutions)
For Youth
Youth are the primary users of digital tools and will become the next generation of adults. Designing effective mental health tools for young people creates solutions that are safer, more accessible, and more effective for everyone. (Imagine a teen wanting support and finding an app that’s been vetted by research and trusted institutions)
For Youth
Youth are the primary users of digital tools and will become the next generation of adults. Designing effective mental health tools for young people creates solutions that are safer, more accessible, and more effective for everyone. (Imagine a teen wanting support and finding an app that’s been vetted by research and trusted institutions)
For Payors
Payors want solutions that work, but there’s an overwhelming number of options and no clear way to know what’s effective. Defined standards and outcomes will enable health providers, insurers, and public entities to confidently evaluate and adopt the most suitable tools. (Imagine a health plan recommending an app for anxiety, knowing it's been independently certified and shown to decrease the need for more intensive care.)
For Payors
Payors want solutions that work, but there’s an overwhelming number of options and no clear way to know what’s effective. Defined standards and outcomes will enable health providers, insurers, and public entities to confidently evaluate and adopt the most suitable tools. (Imagine a health plan recommending an app for anxiety, knowing it's been independently certified and shown to decrease the need for more intensive care.)
For Payors
Payors want solutions that work, but there’s an overwhelming number of options and no clear way to know what’s effective. Defined standards and outcomes will enable health providers, insurers, and public entities to confidently evaluate and adopt the most suitable tools. (Imagine a health plan recommending an app for anxiety, knowing it's been independently certified and shown to decrease the need for more intensive care.)
For Innovators
Currently, innovation is outpacing evaluation- this hinders adoption, funding, and impact. We will create a clear path to market for those building youth-centered mental health tools- innovators will know what benchmarks to meet, how to get there, and who’s ready to support them. (Imagine building a tool that’s not only loved by users—but trusted by systems and able to scale.)
For Innovators
Currently, innovation is outpacing evaluation- this hinders adoption, funding, and impact. We will create a clear path to market for those building youth-centered mental health tools- innovators will know what benchmarks to meet, how to get there, and who’s ready to support them. (Imagine building a tool that’s not only loved by users—but trusted by systems and able to scale.)
For Innovators
Currently, innovation is outpacing evaluation- this hinders adoption, funding, and impact. We will create a clear path to market for those building youth-centered mental health tools- innovators will know what benchmarks to meet, how to get there, and who’s ready to support them. (Imagine building a tool that’s not only loved by users—but trusted by systems and able to scale.)
Why Now
Why Now
Why Now
No Common Language
Digital mental health tools are rapidly multiplying—but there’s still no shared language for categorizing them. The lack of consensus creates confusion for everyone building, using, or paying for these tools.
No Common Language
Digital mental health tools are rapidly multiplying—but there’s still no shared language for categorizing them. The lack of consensus creates confusion for everyone building, using, or paying for these tools.
No Common Language
Digital mental health tools are rapidly multiplying—but there’s still no shared language for categorizing them. The lack of consensus creates confusion for everyone building, using, or paying for these tools.
Supply and Demand are Surging
More people are building digital mental health tools and turning to them for support, especially with the emergence of generative AI- systems can’t keep up with the pace of innovation.
Supply and Demand are Surging
More people are building digital mental health tools and turning to them for support, especially with the emergence of generative AI- systems can’t keep up with the pace of innovation.
Supply and Demand are Surging
More people are building digital mental health tools and turning to them for support, especially with the emergence of generative AI- systems can’t keep up with the pace of innovation.
A Tipping Point
Young people are increasingly turning to digital tools for mental health support—but too many of these tools are unproven or even harmful. We risk losing more lives to unproven solutions if we don’t act.
A Tipping Point
Young people are increasingly turning to digital tools for mental health support—but too many of these tools are unproven or even harmful. We risk losing more lives to unproven solutions if we don’t act.
A Tipping Point
Young people are increasingly turning to digital tools for mental health support—but too many of these tools are unproven or even harmful. We risk losing more lives to unproven solutions if we don’t act.
Unprecedented Deregulation
In the US, federal oversight of digital mental health tools is decreasing. Regulatory agencies are pulling back just as the need for clear standards and strong guardrails is growing. In a rapidly evolving landscape, this lack of accountability puts everyone at risk.
Unprecedented Deregulation
In the US, federal oversight of digital mental health tools is decreasing. Regulatory agencies are pulling back just as the need for clear standards and strong guardrails is growing. In a rapidly evolving landscape, this lack of accountability puts everyone at risk.
Unprecedented Deregulation
In the US, federal oversight of digital mental health tools is decreasing. Regulatory agencies are pulling back just as the need for clear standards and strong guardrails is growing. In a rapidly evolving landscape, this lack of accountability puts everyone at risk.
Our Approach
We’re launching in 2026—this is just the start of a multi-phase effort to move from ideas to real-world action.
Our Approach
We’re launching in 2026—this is just the start of a multi-phase effort to move from ideas to real-world action.
Our Approach
We’re launching in 2026—this is just the start of a multi-phase effort to move from ideas to real-world action.
Convene Leaders Q1 2026
We’ll kick off by gathering a small group of leaders across public health, technology, research, policy, and youth advocacy for an intensive convening. This diverse working group will identify the core challenges and opportunities—and begin shaping a shared standard for evaluating digital mental health tools.
Convene Leaders Q1 2026
We’ll kick off by gathering a small group of leaders across public health, technology, research, policy, and youth advocacy for an intensive convening. This diverse working group will identify the core challenges and opportunities—and begin shaping a shared standard for evaluating digital mental health tools.
Convene Leaders Q1 2026
We’ll kick off by gathering a small group of leaders across public health, technology, research, policy, and youth advocacy for an intensive convening. This diverse working group will identify the core challenges and opportunities—and begin shaping a shared standard for evaluating digital mental health tools.
Co-Create a Blueprint Q2 2026
Together, we’ll co-develop a blueprint that outlines clear standards and practical strategies to assess and elevate digital mental health tools. This blueprint will also define a roadmap to test and validate the standard in real-world settings.
Co-Create a Blueprint Q2 2026
Together, we’ll co-develop a blueprint that outlines clear standards and practical strategies to assess and elevate digital mental health tools. This blueprint will also define a roadmap to test and validate the standard in real-world settings.
Co-Create a Blueprint Q2 2026
Together, we’ll co-develop a blueprint that outlines clear standards and practical strategies to assess and elevate digital mental health tools. This blueprint will also define a roadmap to test and validate the standard in real-world settings.
Move to Action 2026 and beyond
With the blueprint in hand, we will pilot the standard alongside key stakeholders from the convening, while expanding our community committed to building, using, and funding high-quality, impactful, and sustainable digital mental health tools.
Move to Action 2026 and beyond
With the blueprint in hand, we will pilot the standard alongside key stakeholders from the convening, while expanding our community committed to building, using, and funding high-quality, impactful, and sustainable digital mental health tools.
Move to Action 2026 and beyond
With the blueprint in hand, we will pilot the standard alongside key stakeholders from the convening, while expanding our community committed to building, using, and funding high-quality, impactful, and sustainable digital mental health tools.
Throughout this work, we’ll center youth voices and equity—ensuring that the solutions we shape truly reflect the needs of those most often overlooked by the current system.
Throughout this work, we’ll center youth voices and equity—ensuring that the solutions we shape truly reflect the needs of those most often overlooked by the current system.
Throughout this work, we’ll center youth voices and equity—ensuring that the solutions we shape truly reflect the needs of those most often overlooked by the current system.
Blog & Newsletter
Blog and newsletter coming soon with…
Early insights and research from the field
Previews of the certification framework
Invitations to participate in events, campaign efforts, and pilot testing
Blog and newsletter coming soon with…
Early insights and research from the field
Previews of the certification framework
Invitations to participate in events, campaign efforts, and pilot testing
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to your most common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to your most common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to your most common questions.
What is M.Cert?
M.Cert is a multi-phase initiative aimed at creating a unified standard for digital mental health tools. We're collaborating with leaders across public health, technology, and policy to define what “good” looks like and make digital mental health support safer, more effective, and easier to access.
What is the M.Cert Conviening?
The M.Cert Convening is an event where health leaders, technologists, researchers, and policymakers come together to share input on evidence-based standards for subclinical digital mental health tools. It’s part think tank, part action plan.
Should I attend the convening?
The 2026 convening is intentionally small and focused on decision-makers in funding, policy, and system adoption. But this is just the beginning. Future phases will invite broader participation—including builders, researchers, youth advocates, and others helping to shape, test, and expand the blueprint.
How is M.Cert different from other mental health initiatives?
M.Cert is focused on uniting the mental health ecosystem around shared language and clear standards, and defined outcomes. We’re not tied to one stakeholder- we’re committed to building a trusted, neutral framework that clears a pathway for trust and adoption across systems.
How will M.Cert impact startups and digital tool creators?
By defining meaningful outcomes and creating a clear path to validation, M.Cert hopes to help startups build with clarity and confidence—knowing what benchmarks to aim for and how to gain traction with users, health systems and government.
How can I get involved with M.Cert’s mission?
Right now you can participate by signing up for our quarterly emails (we promise not to overload your inbox!) and following us on LinkedIn for updates. Sign up here—we’re building this movement together.
What is M.Cert?
M.Cert is a multi-phase initiative aimed at creating a unified standard for digital mental health tools. We're collaborating with leaders across public health, technology, and policy to define what “good” looks like and make digital mental health support safer, more effective, and easier to access.
What is the M.Cert Conviening?
The M.Cert Convening is an event where health leaders, technologists, researchers, and policymakers come together to share input on evidence-based standards for subclinical digital mental health tools. It’s part think tank, part action plan.
Should I attend the convening?
The 2026 convening is intentionally small and focused on decision-makers in funding, policy, and system adoption. But this is just the beginning. Future phases will invite broader participation—including builders, researchers, youth advocates, and others helping to shape, test, and expand the blueprint.
How is M.Cert different from other mental health initiatives?
M.Cert is focused on uniting the mental health ecosystem around shared language and clear standards, and defined outcomes. We’re not tied to one stakeholder- we’re committed to building a trusted, neutral framework that clears a pathway for trust and adoption across systems.
How will M.Cert impact startups and digital tool creators?
By defining meaningful outcomes and creating a clear path to validation, M.Cert hopes to help startups build with clarity and confidence—knowing what benchmarks to aim for and how to gain traction with users, health systems and government.
How can I get involved with M.Cert’s mission?
Right now you can participate by signing up for our quarterly emails (we promise not to overload your inbox!) and following us on LinkedIn for updates. Sign up here—we’re building this movement together.
What is M.Cert?
M.Cert is a multi-phase initiative aimed at creating a unified standard for digital mental health tools. We're collaborating with leaders across public health, technology, and policy to define what “good” looks like and make digital mental health support safer, more effective, and easier to access.
What is the M.Cert Conviening?
The M.Cert Convening is an event where health leaders, technologists, researchers, and policymakers come together to share input on evidence-based standards for subclinical digital mental health tools. It’s part think tank, part action plan.
Should I attend the convening?
The 2026 convening is intentionally small and focused on decision-makers in funding, policy, and system adoption. But this is just the beginning. Future phases will invite broader participation—including builders, researchers, youth advocates, and others helping to shape, test, and expand the blueprint.
How is M.Cert different from other mental health initiatives?
M.Cert is focused on uniting the mental health ecosystem around shared language and clear standards, and defined outcomes. We’re not tied to one stakeholder- we’re committed to building a trusted, neutral framework that clears a pathway for trust and adoption across systems.
How will M.Cert impact startups and digital tool creators?
By defining meaningful outcomes and creating a clear path to validation, M.Cert hopes to help startups build with clarity and confidence—knowing what benchmarks to aim for and how to gain traction with users, health systems and government.
How can I get involved with M.Cert’s mission?
Right now you can participate by signing up for our quarterly emails (we promise not to overload your inbox!) and following us on LinkedIn for updates. Sign up here—we’re building this movement together.
