Mental health is an important aspect of our overall well-being, and with the current state of the world, characterized by post-pandemic recovery and its many associated stresses, such as job loss, isolation, and economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to take care of ourselves.
While the challenges of daily life can take a toll on our mental health, developing healthy habits and knowing where to turn for help can make a significant difference. Fortunately, technology has made it easier than ever to access resources and tools to help us manage our mental health concerns. This article will discuss the 10 best apps for mental health that can help you build your confidence and momentum toward the future you want. Whether you’re looking for a mindfulness and meditation app, a therapy app, or a mood tracking app, there is something for everyone.
Headspace is a popular meditation and mindfulness app that offers guided meditations, sleep, and movement exercises. The app is designed to help users reduce everyday stress and anxiety, improve focus, and promote overall well-being. Guided meditations are led by experienced meditation teachers and are designed to help users relax and focus their minds. The app offers a variety of meditation options, including short meditations for beginners and longer meditations for more experienced users. The app’s popular Sleepcasts feature offers soothing stories and soundscapes to help users drift off to sleep, while the movement exercises are designed to help users relax and unwind.
The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. While a subscription is required to access all features, the app maintains some free content even after the 14-day trial period. Headspace offers discounted plans for students, families, and healthcare workers. The app also integrates with Apple Health and various employer wellness programs, making it easier to incorporate mindfulness exercises into your daily routine.
Calm is a mindfulness and meditation app that offers a variety of guided meditations, sleep stories, and music to help users relax and unwind. The app’s signature feature, “Sleep Stories,” includes soothing narratives voiced by celebrities to help users fall asleep naturally, while the “Daily Calm” feature offers short daily meditations to help users start the day with a clear mind.
The app also offers mood tracking and emotional check-ins to help users monitor their mental well-being over time. The app has also expanded its offerings with Calm for Kids, providing age-appropriate meditations and stories for younger users, and Calm for Work, which supports employee mental health through corporate wellness programs.
The app takes a holistic approach by incorporating physical wellness through guided breathing exercises, gentle movement sessions, and stretching routines. Calm offers a free tier with introductory content to help you test out the app. For full access to all features, you can upgrade to a premium subscription for $14.99/month, which begins with a 7-day free trial.
Wysa is an AI-powered app that offers 24/7 support through a friendly chatbot companion. The app helps users manage stress and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression using evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness exercises.
What makes Wysa unique is its conversational approach to mental health support. Users can chat with the AI bot anytime they need support, express their feelings, and receive guided exercises to help manage their emotions. The app offers various self-care tools, including breathing exercises, meditation sessions, and sleep stories, all delivered through simple, encouraging conversations. Wysa also provides access to human coaches for one-on-one sessions with unlimited messaging support. The app also knows when you might need extra help and can quickly connect you with crisis helplines if needed.
Getting started is easy and private; no personal information needed. The free version gives you access to the AI chatbot and basic coping tools. For the full experience, premium access costs $19.99/month or $74.99/year after a 7-day trial. You can also book individual coaching sessions starting at $19.99 each.
Talkspace makes professional therapy accessible right from your phone or computer. The app connects you with licensed therapists through video sessions and messaging, letting you choose what works best for your schedule. Whether you need individual counseling, couples therapy, teen support, or psychiatric services, Talkspace helps match you with the right professional for your needs. This therapy app includes daily check-ins, journaling prompts, and progress tracking tools. You can message your therapist anytime and schedule video sessions when you need face-to-face support.
Talkspace partners with major insurance providers like Aetna, Cigna, and Optum, which could make therapy more affordable or even fully covered. New users can get started with $100 off. Plus, the app keeps everything secure and private, following strict HIPAA guidelines.
Happify turns mental health support into an engaging experience through games and activities. Working with experts like therapists and meditation coaches, the app helps users tackle stress, negative thoughts, and build better emotional health. The app’s main feature is its “Tracks,” programs that guide you toward specific goals like managing stress or building confidence. An AI coach named Anna helps you stay on track and provides feedback along the way. You’ll also find daily tips and a supportive community where you can connect with others on similar journeys.
The free version includes plenty to get started: 18 learning tracks, games, journals, some guided meditations, and access to the community hub. The full version: Happify Plus ($14.99/month or $139.99/year) unlocks all tracks, meditations, and extra features like detailed progress tracking and character strength assessments. You can use the app on your phone or computer, making it easy to fit into your daily routine.
Moodfit has earned its spot as the Best Mood Tracker of 2023 by Verywell Mind. The app helps users track and improve their mental well-being through easy-to-use tools based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques. The app’s main features help you understand and manage your mood better. You can track how you’re feeling through mood journals, practice gratitude, and use CBT tools to work through negative thoughts. Moodfit also includes quick meditation sessions and breathing exercises for when you need to calm down or de-stress.
This mental health app lets you track things like sleep, water intake, and exercise to see how they connect to how you’re feeling. You can also check in on your mental health with simple assessment tools and join live meditation sessions with other users. Like many mental health apps, Moodfit offers both free and paid versions. The free version gives you access to basic mood tracking and mindfulness tools. For more detailed insights and customization options, you can upgrade to the premium version at $8.99 monthly or $39.99 annually (with occasional discounts available), making it one of the more affordable options among mental health apps.
7 Cups connects you with trained listeners who provide emotional support whenever you need it. The app offers chat rooms and forums where you can find support for various issues like depression, anxiety, relationships, and LGBTQ+ concerns. If you need more personal support, you can now connect with licensed therapists through live video and audio sessions.
The app creates safe spaces for everyone, including teens aged 13-17, who get access to dedicated listeners and teen-only community forums. Whether you want to ask for help or support others by sharing your experiences, 7 Cups makes it easy to connect and feel understood. 7 Cups is free to download and use. However, they do offer optional paid subscription plans that start at $7.99 monthly for unlimited peer chat, while therapy options with licensed mental health professionals range up to $299 monthly for weekly video sessions.
Insight Timer is a meditation app that stands out for its massive free library of over 120,000 guided meditations and music tracks. Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, you’ll find sessions for everything from stress relief to better sleep.
The app lets you customize your meditation experience with a timer that includes peaceful background sounds and interval bells. You can also join live yoga classes and workshops led by experts from prestigious institutions like Stanford and Harvard. The app includes mood tracking tools and meditation stats to help you build a consistent practice. You can also connect with millions of other users through community groups and discussions.
The free version gives you access to most features, including guided meditations, sleep content, and live events. For offline listening and premium courses, you can opt for a subscription. The app works on phones, tablets, and computers, making it easy to maintain your practice anywhere.
Worry Watch helps you understand and manage your anxiety symptoms through guided journaling and proven coping techniques. The app walks you through a simple process: record your worries when they arise, understand what triggers them, take action with coping strategies, and reflect on outcomes to learn from your experiences.
The app offers various techniques like deep breathing, sensory grounding, and guided imagery. You can also track your mood throughout the day and set reminders for daily check-ins or meditation sessions. The app takes privacy policy seriously. All your data stays on your device or iCloud, with no account needed. You can protect your journal with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. While the basic version offers essential features, a subscription unlocks unlimited journaling, advanced coping skills, and detailed trend analysis. Currently available only for iOS devices.
SAM was developed by university psychologists and students to help users learn to manage their anxiety disorders. The app offers 25 different self-help tools, from breathing exercises to meditation and positive thinking techniques. SAM lets you monitor your anxiety levels and see how they change over time through easy-to-read charts. You can record your feelings, thoughts, and physical reactions to understand your anxiety patterns better.
The app includes a unique “Social Cloud” feature where you can connect anonymously with others managing anxiety, share experiences, and exchange helpful tips. You can build your personal “Anxiety Management Toolkit” with techniques that work best for you. Best of all, SAM is completely free, with no ads or hidden costs. While it’s not a replacement for professional help, it’s a great tool for learning to manage moderate anxiety on your own.
If you are looking for efficient, everyday ways to manage your mental health, these apps can come in handy. From meditation and mindfulness apps like Headspace and Calm, to therapy apps like Talkspace and mood tracker apps like Moodfit and Worry Watch, there is something for everyone.
Remember that it’s important to take care of yourself, and seeking help is always a brave step. Eleanor Health is here to help you build your confidence and momentum toward the future you want. We are passionate about transforming the quality, delivery, and accessibility of mental health care, and you can reach us throughout Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. If you’re looking for more comprehensive support, consider reaching out to us.
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