Mental health is becoming the keyword of the decade. From pondering on our work desk to being stuck at home, we have seen it all. Battling through daily routines and witnessing real wars, we have seen the world going through a political shift. Adding the daily stress of work, some financial issues in a dwindling economy, depreciating currency, and pilling bills – you get a recipe for disaster. All these disastrous stations are taking a toll on our mental health. Recent research by WHO reports that post-pandemic, the risk of anxiety and depression has increased by 25%.
The biggest hurdle in getting diagnosed and seeking treatment for the mental health situation is the lack of awareness. Unlike physical issues that are very easy to detect, mental health symptoms are so subtle and hardly recognizable. The changes in mood, sleep cycle, eating pattern, and chronic pains are common; so we never link them with mental health. These subtle symptoms when ignored for a long time become chronic mental health illnesses. Although productive habits help if you feel a change in your mood, tracking symptoms can help. If you are finding it hard to reach out to a professional, health apps can help as well.
To use these mental health apps, you need a steady internet connection. As a native Spanish speaker, if you require a steady internet connection to offer you all the pricing, and details in Spanish, you should consider Spectrum Internet en Español. With Spectrum, you will get seamless browsing, good streaming, and downloading speed that will boost your user experience.
Best Mental Health Apps to Boost Your Mental Well-Being
On days when you feel like you are experiencing low energy or feeling frustrated, you do not have to wait or seek professional help right away. You can also utilize mental health apps. These apps have been designed by professionals to help you curb some basic symptoms. However, these apps do not serve as alternatives for professional advice. However, since these apps are readily available they can become your first stop until you find suitable professional help for your mental health issue.
Here are some of the best online mental health apps that you need to try:
1. Talkspace
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Basic plan starts at $69/week
Features: 24/7 support services, direct interaction with the therapist, and one-on-one talk time
Standout Point: Gets you in touch with professionals
Most people feel shy when it comes to reaching out to therapists, so they try to handle their issues on their own. However, there is no alternative for professional therapists, which is the reason you need this app. This app helps you get in touch with the therapist right away. Considering that you will have 24/7 support access and there is no rookie involved, the price is affordable.
In case, you think that the therapist is not the right match, there is a switch option as well that will get you connected to another professional. The only issue that you might face is that the therapy techniques are limited for some people and the therapist might not be the right match on the first go.
2. MindShift CBT
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free
Features: Complete self-help training for anxiety, affordable, perfect for youngsters and teens
Standout Point: Get free psychotherapy for managing your anxiety
Most people get anxious in certain situations. However, these anxiety-triggering situations are unavoidable because they are linked to daily tasks. Issues like social anxiety, agoraphobia, and mood disorders usually end with panic attacks that are very difficult to handle.
With the help of MindShift CBT, you can easily get professional help. The app comes with in-built meditation and guided breathing features for managing symptoms. Apart from this, the app also has journaling features and systemic phobia-controlling exercises. The only downside is that there is a limited daily entry system, so it cannot be your go-to app.
3. Recovery Record
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free
Features: Meal and progress tracking system, daily entry of journaling, and daily affirmation
Standout Point: Progress sharing and tracking for eating disorder
As you feel a shift in the weather or mood, your appetite changes. These things are quite common but eventually, they catch up and become processors of other mental and physical health issues. Recovery Record is a progress tracking and journaling app for people who are going through an eating disorder.
The app allows you to keep track of your calories, meal intake, mood triggers as well as coping methods. The only downside is that this app requires you to sign up with a professional so; unless you are not under therapy, or you are not seeking professional help, this app will not work for you.
4. Reframe
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: $7.99/week
Features: Supportive community access, tracking progress, and complete knowledge about alcoholism
Standout Point: Manage alcohol consumption
This app is mainly used for building new and healthy habits and quitting old habits. With Reframe, you can easily track your progress, quit drinking, take a break from consuming alcohol or reduce the dosage. The app uses a 120-day behavior-fixing framework that is ideal for building a habit and making it part of your unconscious mind.
With Reframe, you can eventually manage your cravings by entering the progress every day. It also has reflective journaling and mood-tracking feature, however, the app is not ideal for people with severe alcoholism.
5. Happify
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free with limited features
Features: Game for self-confidence, mood-boosting, and overcoming negative thoughts
Standout Point: Good for boosting mood
This is a game-based app for everyone who feels sad at the time. Most people love the cheerful appeal and the adrenaline kick that they get by achieving small simple and achievable goals. This app is built with positive psychology principles.
Happify has simple daily tasks for reward points and the game-like process is very appealing to everyone. The only snag is that this app is not for people with severe symptoms of clinical depression or mood disorder.
Bottom Line
To sum it all up, technology is progressing and people now like to rely on technology for health consultation and symptom management. While selecting the health app you need to keep in account that technology has its own limitations and can never be an alternative for professional help.