7 MENTAL HEALTH APPS
WRITTEN BY EMILY HADDINGTON
If you suffer from a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or an eating disorder, remember that you are not alone. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find help for a mental health condition, which is where mindfulness and mental health apps come in. Here are some apps that can help you deal with your symptoms until you are able to find more professional help.
7 Cups
If you’re feeling alone, anxious or isolated, 7 Cups enables you to instantly connect with one of 160,000 trained therapists and volunteers. This app enables you to freely talk to a therapist or volunteer about what is on your mind. All conversations are anonymous and confidential, so you can talk about anything you like. You can also take part in group support chat rooms or connect with other users if you wish to.
Eating Disorder Management
This app is designed for those with suspected or confirmed eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating. The app is designed to help users re-establish a healthy relationship with food by a Recovery Record tool. Techniques used include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and self awareness. The app can help users record their feelings when they eat or have a meal, and work towards recovery goals.
What’s Up?
This app is designed for those who struggle to switch off their minds and relax. If you are suffering from anxiety, stress or depression, this tool enables you to learn and embrace coping techniques and positive thought patterns. Users can use the app’s diary to log feelings and thoughts, and learn breathing techniques to stay calm when stress or anxiety levels rise.
SuperBetter
For those who want a more light-hearted approach towards dealing with mental health, this app turns coping mechanisms for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related conditions into a game. Users can gain rewards for carrying out exercises that help them develop a more positive mindset.
Anxiety Relief Hypnosis
If you tend to struggle with anxiety and an inability to switch off the numerous thoughts running through your mind, you need this app in your life. This handy tool helps you to target the source of your anxiety through hypnosis. Listen to audio read to you by a certified hypnotherapist, and embrace hypnotherapy through serene and calming music. The app claims to reduce stress and anxiety in three weeks (if used daily).
PTSD Coach
Created for those who have come out of the armed forces and who have suffered from PTSD as a result, this app is a highly useful resource for understanding more about the causes of PTSD, and how to get it professionally treated. The app enables users to carry out a self assessment and learn coping tools such as anger management and positive speech therapy.
Headspace
Meditation has been known to effectively treat many mental health conditions that are related to anxiety and stress. Designed for people who are complete novices to the world of meditation, this app is a simple step-by-step guide in how to meditate and use mindfulness techniques, so that you can learn how to combat stress, stay calm and focused. A subscription fee is required to access the full meditation library.