Mental Health Apps: Our Top Picks
Living in such a digital age, it should come as no surprise that there are tons of apps out there dedicated to Mental Health. The difficulty might come in when trying to decide which is the right one for you! Our lovely MSW Intern Maddy downloaded and reviewed the most suggested apps to discover which might be worth a download! Many of these apps suggest journaling/recording emotions and or thoughts to help monitor changes or patterns. Many also include useful coping strategies or grounding exercises to support you ride the wave of big/strong emotions.
Maddy’s Top 3
App: Mind shift
Cost: FREE
Key Takeaways:
Easy yet detailed check-in with an option to rate feelings and include physical sensations to monitor long term changes and patterns
Provides resources and coping strategies to help with anxiety
Informed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
App: Feelmo
Cost: FREE
Key Takeaways:
Targets emotional awareness and regulation
Helps to increase self-awareness through recording emotions, and thoughts
Includes breathing exercises and psychoeducation
App: Head Space
Cost: Free for limited activities, $12.99 monthly subscription fee for full access
Key Features:
Guided meditation, mindful activities, guided sleep soundtracks, movement activities and activities to help increase focus
Honorourable Mentions:
App: Calm harm
Cost: FREE
An app specifically for self harm
Designed to help you manage the urges to harm yourself
Includes tons of guided activities and strategies to help
App: CBT i Coach
Cost: FREE, plus in app purchases
Key Takeaways:
For better Sleep. Input the time you get in bed and the time you wake up and the app will help you utilize your best sleeping times
Includes Audio guided coping and relaxation techniques
Provides some great informative materials about sleep
Paid Apps with In-App Purchases:
App: Thought Diary
Journaling space to help track moods and thoughts
Provides a brief review of CBT and Cognitive distortions
Provides helpful educational information about mental health and includes access to many assessments but access is restricted to paid users
App: Calm
Included a variety of guided meditations, soundscapes, or calming music
Mood check-in
About the Author
Madison Mastervick, MSW Intern, is an MSW Intern here at the Growth and Wellness Therapy Centre focused on working with children and parents.