(Newswire.net — October 25, 2021) — Over the years, there has been a proliferation of mental health apps that can be easily accessed by simply being in possession of a smartphone.
The main aim of these apps is to help in eliminating the guesswork of finding an accredited therapist to manage the mental health treatments and concerns of the individual.
With just a tap on the screen, one can download a wide range of apps designed to address anything from sleeping disorders to issues of anxiety and depression in complete privacy.
They are more of a help to people who would otherwise not be able to receive such help, either due to lack of mobility, financial power or just being too ashamed to disclose their mental health issues.
Most doctors suggest that an ideal app should have a 24×7 hotline for severe cases, plus a certified health practitioner onboard ready to answer questions when needed.
If you need additional information but lack the time needed to address your mental health needs, simply go through the roundup of these apps below to check if any one of them can make you feel better.
WhatsUp– General mental health app
(Free: iOS 6.1 or later and Android 6.1 or later)
English
WhatsUp is a secure and well-developed platform over which a well-being professional can communicate with anyone that needs support and advice on general mental health issues.
The app is discreet, non-judgmental, and quick as it utilizes digital messaging to record the feelings of the patient and advise how best to address them. Uses CBT and ACT methods to help maintain good habits and break down the counterproductive ones.
WhatsUp does not have data sharing options but can be useful for those with mild to moderate depression who have no access to traditional treatments.
MY3– Suicide prevention app
(Free: iOS 8.0 or later and Android 4.0 or up)
English and Spanish
This amazing app is designed to prove that suicidal tendencies in individuals can be prevented using behavioral and healthcare treatments. With My3 one can be taught to help oneself as well as reach out to others with similar thoughts.
The goal of MY3 is to connect at-risk individuals for suicide to their support network. The app is highly customizable and is good for all those who are at risk for suicide.
While technology cannot be a substitute for in-person advice, My3 succeeds in providing a safety plan to prompt users to choose any three people to contact if anything goes wrong.
While using an app is certainly not harmful, in serious life-threatening situations we advise calling the suicide prevention hotline instead.
Twenty four hours a day– Addiction app
(Free: iOS 8.0 and Android 11.0 or later)
English
An excellent app from Hazelden Publishing that has been providing a stable path to recovery for those recovering from alcohol or drug abuse since 1954. Millions today, still rely on these magic words as a source for thoughts on meditation and prayers for each day of the year.
Individuals can find inspiration, any day and at any time merely by a touch of a fingertip on their mobile phones and receive 366 classic meditations from the bestselling book of the same name.
This is one app you can really rely on if you are on the path to recovery from addiction. The updated version has a calendar button to access any particular reading and has a high user rating as it is extremely helpful with a user-friendly interface.
MindShift– Anxiety app
(Free: iOS 10.0 and up and Android 5.0 or later)
English and French
MindShift is a self-help anxiety app to get rid of stress, worry, and panic. The app uses CBT CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) strategies that have been scientifically proven.
You can download the app free on your smartphone and practice cognitive behavioral therapy in order to reduce the amount of worry, panic, and other phobias you may experience.
The chill-out section, especially, is a favorite feature as they offer a set of relaxation exercises and mindfulness strategies where patients practice a body scan and mindful breathing.
iMoodJournal– bipolar disorder app
($2.99 iOS 9.9 and Android 4.2 or later)
English, French, Russian, Simplified Chinese
This app is designed for those who want to keep a record of their changing moods each day. iMoodJournal also creates a space to write down day-to-day events and specify the emotions associated with the mood of the user.
Though it is simple to type the # tag to access the drop-down menu to mark the surrounding elements and moods, it gets rather complicated after constant use.
Talkspace– Depression app
($65-$99/week: iOS and Android)
English and preferred language depending on location.
Talkspace is an online video chat and text therapy platform that offers support over a wide range of mental health services, especially depression. Moreover, the app is contract-free, so membership can be canceled at any time. They also offer a 7 day free trial to new users.
Talkspace helps in easing the stigma associated with your mental health and offers extra transparency between you and your treatment provider by chatting with the therapist using their mobile app.
Unlike some of the other apps on this list, this is a full-blown therapy site that is also available on a desktop. It’s constantly featured on lists of the best therapy sites online, often grabbing the top spot. What makes Talkspace stand out and make this list, is the fact that you can get text-based therapy there (for cheap!) and not just traditional face-to-face sessions with a licensed therapist.
Recovery Record– Eating disorder app
(Free: iOS and Android)
English
With an active interface, Recovery Record is an easy-to-use app that helps in managing your eating disorder problems discreetly from your smartphone. It helps in recovery from bulimia nervosa, binge eating, compulsive eating disorder among others.
With Recovery Record one can send and receive anonymous encouragement messages from nearly a thousand other people using the app. It also keeps a record of thoughts and feelings on your mobile phone.
nOCD– Compulsive disorder app
(Free: iOS)
English
nOCD assists in helping people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) under advice from some of the world’s top experts in the field. It matches you with the right therapist from your state and starts effective OCD treatment through video, text, and more from the comfort of your device.
Since OCD can cause intense distress and compulsive debilitating, nOCD research has found a reduction in OCD severity by as much as 40% in just eight weeks by their clinical leadership team.
PTSD Coach– Ptsd app
(Free: iOS and Android)
English, Spanish
People such as veterans or ex-military service members who are suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, are the ones who can benefit from this amazing app. It educates the user about the self-assessment of PTSD and provides access to tools that can help users manage their stress levels.
Recently, a new feature that offers a self-guided plan for suicide prevention is available on their lateral menu. PTSD Coach is good both for people who are undergoing treatment and those who are not.
Headspace– Mindfulness and meditation app (students $9.99/year, others $12.99/month: iOS and Android)
English
Headspace makes meditation plain and simple, sleep well and stay happy. From anxiety to stress management, there are hundreds of guided meditations to choose from.
Even though, unlike other apps where they are not free, it’s worth noting that Headspace is currently the top rated mental health app available.
By simply downloading the recommended meditation, mindfulness, and sleep app, you can sit back and calm your thoughts anytime from anywhere to live a happier and healthier life. The free basic course teaches you the meditation essentials, even if you have never meditated before.