If you are in distress, you can call or text 988 at any time. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency department.

Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps

7. Cultural Safety, Social Responsibility, and Equity Standards

 

Criteria

Criteria Origin

7a — Q1

Is the user made aware that there is an option to use an alias name instead of their own when signing up?

MHCC

7a — Q2

Is the privacy policy readable at a Grade-5 level or below?

MHCC

 

Criteria

Criteria Origin

7b — Q1

Is the product aimed at Indigenous users, or is it likely to be used by them?

MHCC

7b — Q2

If the data relates to an Indigenous population, has the user been informed about the level of their retained ownership of data that is shared with third parties?

MHCC

7b — Q3

If the data collected relates to the Indigenous people and communities, has the data selected for collection been reviewed or agreed to by the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC), or has it achieved OCAP (ownership, control, access, and possession) accreditation?

MHCC

7b — Q4

If this tool contains data relating to an Indigenous population, has the security of the data taken into account the OCAP principle of ownership?

MHCC

7b — Q5

If this tool contains data relating to an Indigenous population, has the security of the data taken into account the OCAP principle of control?

MHCC

7b — Q6

If this tool contains data relating to an Indigenous population, has the security of the data taken into account the OCAP principle of access?

MHCC

7b — Q7

If this tool contains data relating to an Indigenous population, has the security of the data taken into account the OCAP principle of possession?

MHCC

7b — Q8

Is the app particularly likely to be used by Indigenous users, even if they are not the primary market for the product?

MHCC

7b — Q9

Has a process been designed and put in place that allows Indigenous users to easily access, understand, and exercise their own data protection rights?

MHCC

7b — Q10

Have Indigenous users been consulted when designing this processing practice?

MHCC

7b — Q11

Does the policy specify that the developer will reobtain Indigenous users’ consent (1) if the information collected materially changes, (2) the purpose for which the information is processed changes, or (3) the information is to be offered to new/different third parties?

MHCC

7b — Q12

Is there a separate policy (or section in the privacy policy) specifically designed to inform Indigenous users of their rights, in keeping with First Nations principles?

MHCC

7b — Q13

When marketing the product outside their country of residence, has the developer considered other jurisdictional laws and principles regarding Indigenous users?

MHCC

7b — Q14

Does the policy specify the types of personal data that will be collected from Indigenous users?

MHCC

7b — Q15

Does the policy specify how the developer will use the personal data collected from Indigenous users?

MHCC

7b — Q16

Does the policy specify whether such personal data will be shared with advertisers or other third parties?

MHCC

 

Criteria

Criteria Origin

7c — Q1

Please select whether there is supporting evidence for any specific populations.

MHCC

7c — Q2i

Where health-care professionals are involved, do they represent 2SLGBTQ+ communities?

MHCC

7c — Q2ii

Where health-care professionals are involved, do they represent Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) communities?

MHCC

7c — Q2iii

Where health—care professionals are involved, do they represent persons with disabilities?

MHCC

7c — Q3

If the app talks about religion and spirituality, is there evidence-informed data to support the effectiveness of religion and spirituality?

MHCC

 

Criteria

Criteria Origin

7d — Q1

Do the hazard log and safety case mention BIPOC communities?

MHCC

7d — Q2

Do the safety case and hazard log ensure that any potential risks for BIPOC communities have been mitigated?

MHCC

 

Criteria

Criteria Origin

7e — Q1i

Is the information on the app tailored to a specific culture/community?

MHCC

7e — Q1ii

Which culture/community is the app tailored to?

MHCC

7e — Q2i

Is the information on the app tailored to a specific province, territory, region, or geographic area?

MHCC

7e — Q2ii

If yes, which province(s), territory(ies), region(s), or geographic area(s) is the app tailored to?

MHCC

7e — Q3

Does the app include any visual representations or images of people?

MHCC

7e — Q4

Are visuals on the app representative of at least one 2SLGBTQ+ identity/community?

MHCC

7e — Q5

Is there 2SLGBTQ+ representation in information/examples?

MHCC

7e — Q6

Can users enter gender information into the application?

MHCC

7e — Q6i

Can the user opt out of sharing their gender identity?

MHCC

7e — Q6ii

Select which gender identities are available on the app.

MHCC

7e — Q6iii

Is there a free text space for people to self-describe?

MHCC

7e — Q7i

Is the language gender neutral? (no uses of he/him, she/her)

MHCC

7e — Q7ii

Is the language gendered because the user was able to input a preferred pronoun/gender?

MHCC

7e — Q7iii

Is the app written in Canadian French?

MHCC

7e — Q8

Is the app 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive?

MHCC

7e — Q9

If the app is tailored to 2SLGBTQ+

(If 7e — Q1i = Yes):

Have the app developers received appropriate 2SLGBTQ+ awareness training and/or do they have lived and living experience?

MHCC

7e — Q10

Is the app available in non-official languages spoken in Canada?

MHCC

7e — Q11

Is the app available in any Indigenous languages?

MHCC

7e — Q12

Are there cultural and/or Indigenous resources on the app?

MHCC

7e – Q13

Are visuals on the app representative of BIPOC communities?

MHCC

7e — Q14

Is the app inclusive toward the BIPOC community?

MHCC

7e — Q15

Have the app developers received appropriate BIPOC awareness training and/or do they identify with this community?

MHCC

7e — Q16

Are visuals on the app inclusive toward persons with visible disabilities?

MHCC

7e — Q17

Is the text on the app readable at the Grade-5 level or below?

MHCC

7e — Q18i

Does the app have any audio?

MHCC

7e — Q18ii

Is audio supported with the use of captions?

MHCC

7e — Q19i

Does the app have any videos?

MHCC

7e — Q19ii

Is video supported with the use of sign language in the app?

MHCC

7e — Q20

Is the app accessible to persons with disabilities?

MHCC

7e — Q21

Have the app developers received awareness training for persons with disabilities and/or do they identify with this community?

MHCC

7e — Q22

Is the app presentation free from bias?

MHCC