Hey y’all I’m back with a handy list of mental health apps that I enjoy! These are just the ones that I’ve actually used among a huge amount of apps so if none of the ones I talk about here work for you there’s always more! They are also all free to install so in no particular order...
What’s Up?
What‘s Up? is an app developed by a guy who genuinely wants to help people with mental health issues. There is a tab called “Help Right Now” which has the subtabs, Stop!, Get Grounded, Breathing Control, Catastrophe Scale, Forums, Uplifting Quotes, Here & Now, Stay In Today, Affirmations, and Helpful Websites. I use them all fairly equally but often go on the forums page to talk with people around the world anonymously. I also like doing the catastrophe scale because it puts into perspective where your situation is. There is another tab called "Coping Strategies" which offers thinking patterns that help identify unhelpful thinking, metaphors which are stories or illustrations that help you see alternative ways of looking at something, manage worries, and positive steps. The app also a tab for information on anger, anxiety, depression, self esteem and stress. Additionally, it offers a space for you to write in a virtual journal called My Diary, make notes, and keep track of positive and negative habits.
Headspace
Headspace is an app for meditation which offers free content as well as locked content for subscribers. The basics meditation course is guided with 3 minute, 5 minute, and 10 minute options. Unfortunately the majority of the library is locked unless you pay for it but if you want help learning the basics of meditation it's a great app and also sends cute notifications. There is also a sleep tab that helps you personalize your own sleep plan. It tells you when you should get to bed in order to get 8 hours of sleep and offers "Sleepcasts" which are audios, sleep sounds which is music and soundscapes, and "Wind Downs" which are guided exercises for settling down at night or falling back asleep.
Virtual Hope Box
This app is meant to be for when you're in crisis and need somewhere safe to go to give you hope. There's a "Distract Me" button which offers games such as sudoku, photo puzzles, word searches, and mahjong solitaire. It also has a phone button for adding a few people who you can rely on to remember you have people to call in an emergency. Another button is "Inspire Me" where there's tons of quotes and space to add your own inspirational quotes. The next button is "Relax Me" which I really like because it has controlled breathing, muscle relaxation, and three different guided meditations including the beach, forest, and country road. Lastly, the Virtual Hope Box offers "Coping Tools" where you can add coping cards and keep an activity planner. I don't often use this app because I'm not always in crisis (thank the Universe) but it's good to add things to it so that when you are in crisis you're not lost.
Pacifica (now known as Sanvello)
Sanvello is by far my favorite because it has so many features. First it asks how you're doing and has tons of emotions to choose from and you can add as many as you want. Once you've checked in you have the options "Meditate", "Health", "Hope", "Thoughts", and "Goals". The meditation is really good and there's more to choose from that's free than Headspace. In Health you get to add up to three health habits for free. I personally have exercise, going outdoors, and drinking water as my habits. Hope is like the Virtual Hope Box. You can add photos and text to your hope board or add a completed goal. Thoughts is where you can journal or do an analysis of your thoughts. Goals is where you can add any goals you want to help you reach you 3+ long term goals. Sanvello also tracks your progress and the features you engage in like adding to your hope board. The app additionally features a community page where you can add to a multitude of different discussions such as gratitude, mindfulness, or relationships. They also have chat groups for many different topics. Sanvello offers a lot for free and if you have the means or desire, you can get even more when buying premium.
Happify
Happify is another app that offers premium content and can get a little annoying but they have different tracks that you do and within those tracks you accomplish certain tasks. It also does a happiness check in every 2 weeks which allows you to see your progress. Happify shows you your top 3 strengths and puts you to work using them. They have you do meditation, and play games that are both relaxing and fun. It also has a tab where they post informative videos and posts about mental health.
Moodpath
Moodpath is strictly for documenting your mental health. They ask you a few questions 3 times a day and you have the option to journal, add your emotions, and your experiences. After 2 weeks they’ll give you an analysis of your answers and tell you how severe or mild your depression is. I really love this app because I can clearly see my progress as long as I do it every day or most days.
That’s all I’ve got for you! I hope you enjoyed this blog and try out some of these apps! I recommend them all! Comment below what apps you’ve tried, which ones you want to try, and any apps that aren’t listed that you enjoy.
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