With the start of a New Year, many of us make intentions for positive change in our lives. This often includes improving our mental health. One way to do this is by using apps designed to give you tools, activities and support for general mental health concerns and specific conditions. Whilst mental health apps do not serve as a substitute for psychological therapy, I believe that they do have the potential to support our mental health.
The below 5 apps are my top recommendations because they are evidence-based, well developed and easy to use. I often encourage my clients to use them between sessions to maximise therapeutic outcomes.
- Best for mindfulness practice: Headspace
Mindfulness is essentially the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgment. It is an essential technique that improves your psychological wellbeing. A wealth of scientific research shows that mindfulness practice can have a significantly positive impact on mood, anxiety, stress, attention/concentration, sleep quality and pain. One of the most common ways to practice mindfulness is through guided meditations.
I have tried out many mindfulness meditation apps over the years and Headspace remains my absolute favourite. It teaches you the basic concepts of mindfulness in an engaging and simple way and it is great for beginners. The sheer scope of the courses available on Headspace also means that it is suitable for people who have practiced mindfulness for a long time. I love that it offers a wide array of guided mindfulness meditations covering many different areas such as difficult emotions, personal growth, relationships, physical wellbeing, parenting and sports performance. Some of the features I particularly like are the ability to choose your own voice guide and the length of the meditation. There are also some great options available to teach children mindfulness.
Price: $19.99/month or $91.99 annual subscription
Free Trial: 7-14 days
Platforms: iOS and Android
2. Best for quitting alcohol: I Am Sober
The I Am Sober app is a useful tool for stopping alcohol and other substances/addictive activities. It helps individuals identify triggers, recognise patterns, and develop healthy habits to meet their goals and achieve sobriety. You can use I Am Sober to make daily pledges, record sober days, and track milestones and it offers a withdrawal timeline so you can learn what to expect. Plus, you can connect to their community for support, encouragement, and motivation. To get the most out of this app, I recommend signing up for the premium features option.
Price: Free, with premium features offered on the Sober Plus package for $54.99/year
3. Best for PTSD: PTSD Coach Australia
PTSD Coach Australia is the best app I’ve come across that is specifically designed for individuals who have received a diagnosis of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The app is not intended to be used as a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it is designed to be used in combination with evidence-based psychological treatments for PTSD including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). PTSD Coach Australia provides comprehensive information about PTSD and treatment, a range of evidence-based symptom management tools and techniques (e.g. imagery audio exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and other techniques), as well as a scheduling tool to assist with behavioural activation. You also have the useful option of measuring symptoms over time which can be shared with your treating Psychologist or Doctor.
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS and Android
4. Best for self-harm: Calm Harm
The Calm Harm app is designed to help individuals overcome the urge to self-harm by providing activities to regulate strong emotions and promote self-care behaviours. It is based on principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), an evidence-based psychological therapy approach and focuses on distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. This app is easy to navigate and it has lots of effective strategies to choose from. Another great thing about this app is that it is suitable for young people (individuals aged 13 years and over).
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS and Android
5. Best for ADHD: Inflow
Inflow is designed for adults diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques. It has a lot of resources to help you better understand your ADHD symptoms and it provides useful tips to develop new habits (such as improving productivity and organisation, managing emotions, preventing burnout, improving health and nutrition, and overcoming relationship difficulties). There is also the option of working with a coach via text messaging. Although it is an expensive subscription, Inflow may be a suitable option for some individuals with ADHD when used alongside regular therapy and ADHD medication.
Price: $309.99/year or $73.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Platforms: iOS and Android