It is well-known that mental health is directly related to physical health and overall well-being. It is essential to take care of your physical health and mental health to reduce the risks of developing mental health disorders. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to take care of your mental health, including evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities and mental health apps.
8 Best Apps for Mental Health
Mental health apps provide an effective way to support your overall mental well-being. However, it is important to remember they are tools to provide support and guidance but are not a substitute for mental health treatment and therapy from a professional therapist. With this in mind, some of the best apps for mental health include:
- Headspace: Headspace helps improve mindfulness, relieve stress and anxiety, and improve sleep. This meditation app offers a wide range of options with varied durations ranging from as little as three minutes a day to 20 minutes.
- MindShift CBT: This free app uses CBT tools to help you refocus, adjust behaviors, and think more positively. The app features guided relaxation and medication, goal setting, and mood tracking. You can also use a thought journal to record your thoughts and activities to help reduce fears.
- Daylio Journal: This app helps you track your moods and recognize differences that could indicate mental health conditions. It also allows you to set goals by completing various activities designed to help improve and manage moods.
- iBreathe: iBreathe is a mental health app that helps alleviate stress and anxiety by helping you focus on your breathing. Through a series of breathing exercises, it guides you through a highly stressful or anxious situation.
- Calm: Calm is an app designed to help you relax and improve sleep. It offers a music and sleep story library, guided breathing, and meditation techniques to help you calm and relax while alleviating stress, anxiety, and tension. As a result, this will help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper.
- Happify: Happify features games and activities that use CBT and psychological techniques to help improve mood. It helps deal with stress, improve mindfulness and meditation, and overcome negative thoughts while increasing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- NOCD: This app was designed to complement OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) treatment and provide support in between therapy sessions using exposure-response and mindfulness techniques. In case of an immediate need, you can also schedule a virtual therapy session with a licensed therapist.
- PTSD Coach: This app provides information and education about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). There is a self-assessment, access to resources, and tools to help manage PTSD in between treatment sessions with a therapist.
7 Best Therapy Apps
When you need immediate therapy and support and cannot wait to see a therapist, there are several different mental health app options available, such as:
- notOK: This app provides immediate peer support through text messages, phone calls, or meeting with someone to get the peer support you need day or night.
- Talkspace: Talksapce provides virtual access to mental health professionals with 24/7 support. The app is beneficial when you need to speak to a professional and cannot wait for a scheduled appointment.
- Recovery Record: Recovery Record was designed as a supportive app for people in recovery from eating disorders. The app includes a journal to record feelings and thoughts, a food diary, affirmations, goal setting, and coping tools.
- I Am Sober: For people in recovery, I Am Sober is a beneficial tool for helping them recognize patterns and triggers while developing healthier habits. You can also set goals to help you maintain your sobriety. For those considering alcohol rehab, the app features withdrawal timeline information to help them know what to expect.
- Sanvello: Sanvello provides access to self-care resources to help people with anxiety and depression. It also includes access to support groups and coaches.
- Teen Counseling: Teen Counseling is an app for parents and teens. It provides support for parents when dealing with their teens’ issues with a licensed therapist. Teens can also connect with a therapist virtually, via text, or phone call when they are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or have other issues they are uncomfortable sharing with their parents. However, they do need their parents’ permission initially.
- BetterHelp: BetterHelp provides an affordable option for therapy with unlimited text messaging with a licensed therapist. Other therapy options are available, including virtual sessions, phone calls, and live chat.
When Should I Seek Mental Health Treatment?
While there are a lot of apps that can help support mental health and well-being, they do have their limitations. Even virtual sessions with a therapist may not provide the level of care you need to fully address your mental health issues, concerns, and unique needs.
Some signs and symptoms to look for that indicate you should seek mental health treatment and not rely solely on an app include:
- Your mental health is interfering with your ability to function and impacting your daily life.
- You have lost interest in hobbies, activities, and socializing you previously enjoyed.
- Your symptoms are persisting for longer periods or never fully subside.
- You are using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate and bring temporary relief.
- You are having intrusive thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming others.
- You are experiencing sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleeping excessively.
- Your eating habits have changed, causing excessive weight loss or weight gain.
- You feel guilt, shame, worthlessness, or hopelessness that persists.
- You feel isolated and alone even when around family and friends.
Contact Montare Tuscon About Our Mental Health Treatment
Montare Behavioral Health in Tuscon provides comprehensive mental health treatment programs personalized to your specific needs. Furthermore, our caring and compassionate staff provides the support you need in a safe, secure, and nonjudgmental environment. Our programs are designed to complement the best mental health apps to ensure you receive client-centric care to help you overcome your mental health issues. Contact us today to discover the path to a brighter and healthier future.