Stressed? Anxious? Of Course There’s an App for That
Updated: May 11, 2018
Technology may occasionally contribute to your stress, but it can also be a valuable resource. These are the top 15 apps for mental health.
Could a mental health app help you?
Each year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 50 percent of the Canadian population will have or had a mental illness by the age of 40. Youth are also at risk with an estimated 10-20 percent affected. (The number is only an estimation because too often mental health disorders go undiagnosed. In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services actually receives them.)
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, the experts at Yellowbrick, a psychiatric center in Evanston IL, are sharing the top rated mental health apps.
Related: 13 Things Psychologists Wish You Knew About Happiness
Mental Health App: Calm
Focus: Anxiety. Think: guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs and relaxing music to increase mindfulness.
Year released: 2017
Cost: Free (upgrade for $60/year)
Mental Health App: Moodnotes
Focus: Mood. Use the journal to improve thinking habits and avoid thought traps.
Year released: 2015
Cost: $4/month
Related: 8 Signs You Might Be Depressed
Mental Health App: Headspace
Focus: Meditation. The app’s guided meditation lessons will help to improve mindfulness.
Year released: 2012
Cost: Free (upgrade for $10/month)
Related: How Diet Affects Your Mental Health
Mental Health App: Pacifica
Focus: Anxiety & Stress. Think: mindfulness meditation, relaxation and mood tracking exercises to reduce negative thoughts.
Year released: 2016
Cost: Free (upgrade for $4/month)
Related: DIY Detox – How to Know When It’s Time to Power Off
Mental Health App: Talkspace
Focus: Therapy. This therapy and counselling app connects users with therapists.
Year released: 2013
Cost: Free (upgrade for $99/month)
Related: Mariah Carey Opens Up About Her Struggle With Mental Health
Mental Health App: Anxiety Relief Hypnosis
Focus: Anxiety. These 30 minute audio sessions help reduce anxiety though hypnosis
Year released: 2013
Cost: Free
Related: 13 Medical Conditions That Could Be Triggering Your Anxiety
Mental Health App: DBT Diary Card & Skills Coach
Focus: Therapy. The app has a behaviours and skills coach to transform negative thinking.
Year released: 2011
Cost: $5/month
Related: 5 Ways to Beat Loneliness
Mental Health App: Daylio
Focus: Mood. Track your mood and view personal statistics
Year released: 2017
Cost: Free
Mental Health App: Moodpath
Focus: Anxiety & Depression. Depression screening with professional assessment.
Year released: 2015
Cost: Free
Mental Health App: iCBT
Focus: Anxiety & stress. Think: logging events, thoughts and outcomes to correct distorted thinking patterns.
Year released: 2010
Cost: $6/month
Mental Health App: Moodkit
Focus: Mood. Rate and chart your mood and use activities to improve your mood.
Year released: 2011
Cost: $5/month
Mental Health App: Anxiety Coach
Focus: Anxiety. Use it to record anxieties over time to identify triggers that cause them.
Year released: 2012
Cost: $3/month
Mental Health App: 7 Cups
Focus: Anxiety & Stress. Look for exercises and activities to help you deal with sadness, stress and loneliness.
Year released: 2013
Cost: Free
Mental Health App: Worry Watch
Focus: Anxiety. Think: logging, tracking and analyzing worries to change negative perception.
Year released: 2013
Cost: $3/month
Mental Health App: Thinkup
Focus: Positivity. Think: affirmations and progress tracking to help achieve goals.
Year released: 2014
Cost: Free
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