Nowadays, mental health has become an important topic of discussion. As more people come forward about their struggles with mental health issues, the need for accessible and effective treatments has become more apparent. Mental health applications have emerged as a potential solution, offering people a way to manage their mental health conveniently. In this article on Naijaknowhow, we’ll explore the finest mental health apps to help cope with stress. Let’s delve right in!
What are Mental Health Apps?
They’re mobile applications designed to support users in managing their mental well-being. These apps offer a range of features such as mood tracking, meditation exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, relaxation techniques, and access to online therapy sessions or resources for their users.
How We Evaluate the Best Apps:
We prioritise the confidence our readers place in us by conducting evaluations of the top apps on both Android and iOS platforms through extensive testing and research. We deploy humans to test and compile articles to help those who are looking for the best of the best. Our team of tech writers and a small tech community invest significant time experimenting with and using these tech products or software. As a result, we reach well-informed conclusions based on the effectiveness, user experience, and customer support offered by the apps. It’s important to note that we never receive compensation for featuring apps in our articles or for linking to any websites. You can read more about how we review apps and software on Naijaknowhow.
After a series of examinations and tests of these apps, here are some of the features you should look out for in a mental health application:
- Monitor mood changes and identify patterns.
- Guided mindfulness for stress reduction.
- Offers tools to challenge negative thoughts.
- Access to professional help and resources.
List of the Best Mental Health Applications for Mobile Devices
These apps are designed to provide users with tools and resources to support their mental health and well-being. They’re available on both the Google Play Store and App Store. But before you start reading or installing any apps in this article, make sure you read our disclaimer page to understand our position regarding this listicle.
1. Headspace
Headspace is a platform for meditation self-care and mindfulness. It has proven to be a valuable resource for individuals seeking to cultivate a greater sense of mindfulness in their lives. Headspace provides guided meditations, which can be especially beneficial for beginners who are new to the practice of meditation.
Headspace also offers a host of features that are specifically designed to help individuals cope with the everyday challenges of life. For those who suffer from anxiety, the app features a targeted “SOS” session that can be accessed in moments of distress, helping to facilitate calmness and relaxation.
Headspace also recognizes the importance of staying physically present in one’s body, particularly when working from home. The app offers breathing, cardio, and movement exercises led by fitness experts, which can aid in achieving greater physical awareness and presence. Headspace is a great option for monitoring and taking care of your mental health. The app is worth trying out.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly guided meditations available.
- “SOS” session for quick anxiety relief.
- Fosters mindfulness and self-care practices.
- Tackles daily challenges effectively with features.
- Convenient for integration into daily routines.
Cons:
- Subscription cost may discourage some users.
- Limited availability of advanced techniques.
- The effectiveness of “SOS” may vary.
- Guided meditation style may not suit everyone.
- Interface navigation requires improvement.
2. BetterHelp
BetterHelp is a renowned online mental health care provider that operates globally. It is one of the largest and most popular platforms for mental health care. The company provides a variety of services such as video, audio, chat, and messaging therapy to people in all 50 states of the United States and to clients worldwide.
BetterHelp prides itself on the quality of its therapists, all of whom are fully licensed and possess a relevant masters or doctoral degree. They also have a minimum of three years of experience and over 1,000 working hours in their field. The therapists on the platform are trained to handle a variety of common mental health concerns.
The sign-up process for BetterHelp is designed to be straightforward to navigate. After filling out a short questionnaire regarding your preferences and mental health concerns, the company will match you with a therapist who meets your needs. Once you have been matched, you can schedule your first session using the app.
Pros:
- Accessible global mental health care.
- Offers licensed therapists with extensive experience.
- Convenient online services for clients worldwide.
- Quality assurance through therapist qualifications.
- Flexible scheduling and communication options.
Cons:
- The app is limited in-person interaction.
- Service availability dependent on location.
- Affordability concerns for some users.
- Confidentiality issues with online platforms.
- Less personal feel compared to in-person sessions.
3. Sanvello
Sanvello is a mental wellness app that offers mindfulness and cognitive therapy-based help for users in four critical areas: self-care, peer support, coaching, and therapy. This platform enables users to access the support they need, regardless of their current position on the mental wellness spectrum or the level of support they require.
Sanvello assists users in dealing with everyday stress unique to their life journeys. With mood tracking, users can observe their behavioral patterns over time. By tracking these patterns, users can identify areas where they can make healthy changes and improve their mental well-being.
Sanvello’s Guided Journeys have garnered high praise from many users. These journeys help users focus on building different life skills over time, such as taking better control of thoughts and emotions during stressful moments. Sanvello is considered a useful mental health app for mobile devices.
Pros:
- Diverse support in self-care and therapy.
- Mood tracking aids pattern recognition.
- Accessible help for mental wellness stages.
- Integrates mindfulness and therapy techniques.
- Offers tailored assistance for stressors.
Cons:
- Subscription requirement limits access.
- Effectiveness depends on user commitment.
- There are privacy concerns with data.
- Not a replacement for professional care.
- User experience varies with technical issues.
4. Happify
Happify is an application that aims to help users improve their emotional well-being, increase their productivity, and enhance their overall life satisfaction. The app is based on the principles of positive psychology and mindfulness, which promote a positive outlook on life and a focus on the present moment.
This app starts by identifying areas where users can experience the most growth, such as building self-confidence, overcoming negative thinking patterns, or achieving greater career success. After identifying these areas, Happify provides users with targeted games and activities to complete in just a few minutes each day.
These games and activities are designed to help users practice skills that are essential to emotional well-being and personal growth. They can be completed in short bursts of time, making them perfect for people who are always on the go. Users can complete these activities while driving, waiting in line at the store, or even in between sets at the gym.
Pros:
- Personalized activities for growth.
- Positive psychology and mindfulness principles.
- It offers quick tasks fit busy schedules.
- Builds confidence and productivity.
- The app enhances emotional well-being.
Cons:
- The all is not suitable for all needs.
- It requires consistent participation.
- Limited effectiveness for severe issues.
- Gamified approach may not appeal to everyone.
- It also relies heavily on user input.
5. Calm
Calm is a highly sought-after application designed for individuals who struggle with insomnia or poor-quality sleep. This application can be accessed by Android and iOS device users worldwide. With a premium subscription, users can access a variety of resources that aim to assist in attaining better sleep.
This subscription allows users to listen to bedtime stories narrated by well-known celebrities. Exclusive calming music tracks produced by the likes of Disney and themed soundscapes that transport the listener to another world are also available.
Furthermore, Calm’s visually stunning sleep scenes can serve as a backdrop while you prepare to drift off to slumber. During the daytime, users can ground themselves with Calm’s yoga, stretching, and dance classes. There is a library of themed meditations available that aim to improve mindfulness.
Pros:
- Offers bedtime stories by celebrities.
- Exclusive calming music tracks available.
- It is accessible on Android and iOS.
- The app provides tools for better sleep.
- User-friendly solution for sleep struggles.
Cons:
- Requires premium subscription.
- Limited effectiveness for severe disorders.
- The app has reference-dependent content.
- Technology reliance for sleep improvement.
- It’s content may become repetitive.
Conclusion
Now that you have known the best mental health apps that can potentially aid in coping with stress, it is important to understand that these apps are designed to provide resources that can help support mental health. However, they have certain limitations and should not be seen as a substitute for professional help when required. Cheers!
