5 Mental Health Apps Worth Downloading Now

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an overwhelming impact on mental health and the healthcare industry. With people stuck at home, mental health services cut, and the few appointments available being hosted online, service providers needed to find new ways of serving those people in need.

A lack of available services and the drastic change in people's lifestyles have caused cases of mental health issues to skyrocket, according to a study by KFF. Four in 10 adults have reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, in comparison to 1 in 10 prior to the pandemic. However, recognition of this crisis has also meant that society, healthcare professionals, and governing bodies have come together to acknowledge the importance of mental health and find ways to give those who are suffering the support and guidance they need in these troubling times.

There are a host of mental health apps that have been introduced over the past few years. With such a broad market, we thought we’d put together our list of the best mental health apps, saving you time in sourcing this resourceful information. Let’s get started.

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1. MoodKit

With over 200 mood-boosting activities, MoodKit was ranked by Healthline as the best overall app, in a review of mental health support apps. Created by two clinical psychologists, MoodKit is designed to rewire your negative thinking, using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, boosting your mood, and enabling you to instinctively think positively. 

In addition, this evidence-based app provides a journaling feature. The importance of journaling cannot be understated. Whether you’re on a journey of mental health discovery or aiming to maintain a happy and grateful life, journaling is a crucial element. MoodKit’s built-in journal gives the user a digital space to track their negative thoughts and feelings, discover what triggers them, and ultimately resolve them to create positive thinking instead.

2. Talkspace

While MoodKit is more of a self-help guide from experts, Talkspace actually comprises online therapy sessions with expert healthcare professionals. As you might expect, this is quite a bit more expensive than any other app, but at $65 per week, it’s likely much cheaper than paying to see a therapist in person. In addition, you have the bonus of being able to access expert advice 24/7. Whenever you feel you need the support of a therapist, someone will be there to talk to you and guide you through your feelings and experiences to achieve the outcome you desire.

As with visiting any therapist, you may not discover the perfect match at first. While Talkspace is a fantastic alternative to in-person therapy, you may need additional therapy techniques to address mental health concerns.

3. iBreathe

It wouldn’t be a list of apps that improve mental health without the stress-relieving powers of iBreathe. This completely free app is your guide to deep breathing exercises, proven to reduce stress levels, conquer anxiety, and help you to live a more relaxed life. This app is simple and clutter-free yet effective in what it offers. You’ll be guided through a range of breathing exercises and techniques, enabling you to become a master of your breath.

Breathing exercises are known to be most beneficial when done daily. iBreathe includes a reminder feature where you can set notifications to let you know it’s time to focus on your breathing. Alternatively, you could do it multiple times a day if you feel a quick breathing exercise will refocus your mind after a particularly stressful situation. 

4. Headspace

Meditation is no longer a practice just for those seeking spiritual enlightenment – it’s an activity that now forms part of many people's daily mental health routines. In fact, The Good Body reports that at least 16% of Americans have tried meditation. Headspace is the most popular meditation app, with over 65 million downloads to date. 

The benefits of meditation include stress relief, self-awareness, attention-span improvement, anxiety control, and much more. Offering a vast array of meditations for complete beginners to advanced meditators, ranging from 3-20 minutes in length, Headspace is the ideal app for anyone looking to reap the rewards of meditating. 

This free app provides a choice of individual meditations and courses that last extended periods of time for those looking to tackle deeper-lying and more complex issues.

5. Quit That!

Addiction is an illness that many suffer from without ever knowing it. When someone says the word addiction, our minds immediately jump to smoking, drinking, drugs, gambling, and any other addiction that carries an unnecessary stigma. Well, Quit That! may help you tackle those addictions, but it also helps to address unhealthy and bad habits you want to stop, such as drinking caffeine, eating junk food, and much more. 

While Quit That! is our recommendation for those people looking to tackle addiction via mental health apps, we also suggest that if you have deep-lying issues, seeking direct professional help may be the best option for you. Perhaps take a look at Quit That!, explore the services it provides, and begin one of the many programs or activities on offer.

In Summary

There are many good mental health apps that empower people to rewire their minds, tackle ongoing issues, and create a feeling of happiness, fulfillment, and enjoyment. No matter the issues and challenges you’re facing, there is likely a mental health app that will make your journey easier. When called upon, the industry adapted, adopting new technologies and methods of helping people in need. It’s also important to remember that apps may not be a substitute for appropriate medical care and do not cure conditions. 

These apps will continue to evolve, improve, and support more people across the world. If you have an idea for an app that helps to address mental health issues and would like to speak to our healthcare app development team, get in touch today to discuss your requirements.