Discern, formerly MCert
Quality, defined together.
Discern sets quality standards for youth mental health tools and AI, so everyone can tell what’s safe and what works.
There are 20,000+ unregulated, subclinical mental health apps and no shared way to assess which are safe and effective for young people. Science and tools exist. The need is clear. What’s missing is a shared definition of quality every sector can use.
Discern is a non-partisan standards organization. We bring everyone who funds, builds, and uses these tools to one table to define quality.
One standard every sector can use, instead of separate frameworks that rarely agree.
We are
A standard-setting body
Non-partisan
Built to evolve
We are not
A certifier
A regulator
An app rating site
Quality Standards
An evidence-informed baseline
for safe, effective youth mental health tools. Scaled to each tool’s risk and fitted to who it serves.
Shaped by the people it serves
Young people, the adults who support them, funders, government, and builders have a say. Standards evolve with evidence and technology.
Moving in the same direction
Stakeholder Coordination
We create alignment across funders, government, builders, and young people, and turn shared priorities into coordinated action.
Making quality common knowledge
Plain-language guides and resources that demonstrate what quality means and why it matters.
Shaped with perspectives from across the ecosystem
Funders and payors
Government and policy
Researchers and evaluators
Tool builders / Big Tech platforms
Connectors and advocates
Young people
Families and caring adults