By committing early to a yet unproven space and leveraging the DGC four-step playbook for success, the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge has built one of the most experienced research cores in the field of digital sensing for mental health research. 

We possess a rare combination of completed and active projects, tested research infrastructure, operational experience, scientific expertise, thought leadership, and strong relationships with collaborators and stakeholders — positioning us to transform the field and enabling mental health research to achieve the groundbreaking advancements that digital sensing technology has rendered possible. 

Below we share DGC-specific information about the following:

1. Early investment and foundational development of capability
2. Unique digital sensing research portfolio
3. Field-shaping leadership and cross-sector collaboration
4. (Should we add specialized expertise? This overlaps with data analytics) 

Early investment & foundational development 

Recognition of potential for sea change

The DGC was founded with the core understanding that depression is heterogenous: It is not a singular experience but a group of conditions with different and overlapping symptom profiles that can take many possible courses over time. Existing research neither accounted for nor addressed depression’s complexity, so the current standard of care relies heavily on trial and error to determine what treatment may work best.  

From the outset, our research efforts have sought to uncover depression’s many causes and trajectories to develop more effective, targeted treatments. As a result, we were early to recognize the immense potential for the use of digital sensors for mental health. 

Passive data streams — measuring factors like movement, sleep, and heart rate — can be collected continuously across large and diverse populations and be used to study depression in real-world settings at scale. The proliferation of smartphones and smart watches enables researchers to detect and analyze patterns across thousands of consenting individuals, illuminating different types of depression and eventually enabling more precise diagnoses and personalized interventions. 

Expertise built through early pilots & convenings

Before launching large-scale digital sensing initiatives, we invested early in foundational efforts to refine our initial lines of inquiry and identify the scientific and operational considerations that would shape future research. We supported pilot studies to test feasibility and build internal capacity, while engaging with peers across the field to share insights and align on emerging best practices. 

Through the funding of relevant pilot projects, we supported UCLA researchers investigating digital sensing for mental health. 

In early 2018, the DGC hosted the Mobile Personal Sensing, Behavior, and Health Symposium, convening experts from across sectors to share ongoing research and discuss the potential for digital sensing in mental health research. 

A unique digital sensing research portfolio

Since 2018, we have steadily expanded our digital sensing research portfolio while investing in the systems, standards, and collaborations needed to move the field forward.

Thought leadership & collaboration

We have known that advancing the nascent field of digital sensing for mental health would take well-mapped efforts, long-term investment and coordination across sectors and types of expertise. We have played a central role in the work to catalyze the development of common standards for digital sensing through expert convenings, formal reports and ongoing participation in cross-sector collaborations. 

Below is a selection of the DGC’s thought-leadership efforts to advance common standards, guide investment and coordinate cross-sector progress in digital sensing for mental health.

• Mobile Personal Sensing, Behavior, & Health Symposium (2018)
• Digital Sensing Workshop & reports (2023) 
• Wellcome-funded scoping research and report, in collaboration with the Digital Health Measurement Collaborative Community (DATAcc) by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) (2023–2024) 
• DGC Director Freimer’s Perspective in npj Digital Medicine (2024)
• DiMe Core Measures Collaborative (2025–2026)