Health apps have become an effective alternative treatment to those struggling with mental illness or perhaps to those who cannot afford therapy.
In recent times, there’s been a rise in mental health apps available to smartphone users. Basically, these reasonably-priced, or most often free, mental health apps offer a wealth of resources that make therapeutic techniques more accessible, portable, and cost-effective. However, People are still not sure that phone counseling is appropriate. There are those who believe that for counseling or therapy to be effective that you have to do it the old-fashioned way – in person. While this may be true for certain circumstances, in most cases, telephone counseling is perfect. BetterHelp has telehealth providers that specialize in many areas of mental illness; from depression to anxiety, family issues, and more.
Furthermore, research has shown that 90% of users of mental health apps increased confidence, motivation, intention, and attitudes about their mental and emotional health.
There are a lot of mental health apps that make outrageous claims as the majority of these apps do not have peer-reviewed research to support their claims. Regardless, there are still some pretty good mental health apps out there. Researchers are working on guidelines for mental health apps to further improve on their quality, as some health experts predict that, these health apps will play an important role in the future of mental health care by providing innovative solutions for the self-management of mental health disorders.
Without further ado, here are the top 9 mental health apps you can download, in no particular order.
1. Calm
Meditate, Sleep, Relax.
Calm is a mental health app that can help you relax, meditate, and fall asleep easier.
This mental health app has guided meditation sessions in different durations so you can choose the best length. It has topics that include:
- Breaking habits
- Focus: Original music designed to help you focus, relax, or sleep
- Relationships
- Gratitude
- Self-esteem
- Forgiveness
- Mindfulness at work or in school
- Calm for kids
- Calming anxiety: Relaxing breathing exercises
- Stress management: Unguided timed, or open-ended meditation
- Sleep: 100+ adult bedtime stories guaranteed to help you sleep
- Concentration
- Non-judgment
- Happiness
- Love and kindness
- Commuting
- Walking meditation
2. Moodpath
Depression & Anxiety.
Moodpath is one of the mental health apps that you can customize to help you manage anxiety, depression, and stress.
This is one of the best mental health apps that help you follow your progress and teach you skills.
Moodpath has three main features:
- It is an assessment tool that aids in tracking your physical and emotional well-being. You answer questions each day. The app summarizes the data for a bi-weekly summary report. You can share reports with mental health professionals.
- Use Moodpath to track your mood and to journal. The app also provides a snapshot of your emotional states each day. This feedback enables you to reflect on your emotional well-being throughout the day. The app gives you support for further understanding of your patterns and triggers.
- Moodpath teaches you how to let go of negative thought patterns and overwhelming emotions with exercises based on CBT. Everyday mindfulness, sleep improvement, stress management, and self-compassion exercises are also available.
3. Simple DBT Skills Diary Card
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular form of therapy in the treatment of mental health disorders. DBT is used to treat substance use (SUDs) and personality disorders. DBT focuses on practicing skills that help users control the intensity of their reactions in emotional situations. DBT is a method for teaching skills that help you maintain an emotional balance, and this app helps you stay on that track.
4. Sober Time
Sober Time helps you stay motivated and inspired. It’s a mental health app that tracks sobriety down to the second and updates in real-time. The clock ticks up the seconds, minutes, hours, and days. There are more than 10 unique ways to display your progress with individual and community features.
This is one of the best mental health apps if you are still struggling with sobriety. It can help build you up and give achievable goals even when you are having relapses.
5. Youper
Emotional Health Assistant
Youper is one of the best mental health apps billed as an Emotional Health Assistant. You can monitor and improve your emotional health via talks based on therapy techniques or mindfulness.
This is one of the best mental health apps if you learn best with a conversational format.
Youper also uses artificial intelligence (AI) that was created by doctors and scientists. It uses therapeutic techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and meditation during these talks.
6. Letgoh
Addiction Recovery
LetGOH is a mental health app that focuses on issues that fit well into the 12-step recovery model. The app provides inventory tools, sponsorship aids, and meditations to help users reduce or quit their addictions.
LetGOH is suitable for people with addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, food and co-dependency. Daily tracking of progress and meditations also included.
If you are in a 12-step program, this will be one of the best mental health apps for you
7. Innerhour Self-Help & Therapy
Anxiety & Depression
Innerhour offers 5 self-help courses on:
- Happiness: How to experience happiness in your life
- Anger: How to channel your anger
- Stress: How to manage stress
- Depression: How to make small changes to beat depression
- Sleep: How to develop sound sleep habits
8. Rootd
Panic Attack & Anxiety Relief
Rootd is a mental health app meant for people who suffer from debilitating panic attacks and anxiety. One use of Rootd is to turn to the app when panic or anxiety starts. The panic button feature helps users through their anxiety or panic using breathing tools and stress management exercises.
This could be one of the most helpful mental health apps if you suffer from sudden and strong panic attacks. It can help you calm down quickly and get you out of the danger zone.
9. UP!
Depression, Bipolar, and Borderline Management
The UP! app is an automated mood diary that tracks and alerts you to your unique warning signs of depression and mania. The app has a daily journal feature to easily track your emotions and habits. You can manage, monitor, and analyze signs of borderline personality disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The Up! app was designed for people with bipolar disorder (1 and 2) to monitor and analyze their symptoms.
