From anxiety and PTSD to depression and bipolar disorder, mental illness is becoming more and more prevalent among American adults. In fact, the National Association for Mental Illness reports that around 1 in 5 adults experience symptoms of a mental illness every year. That is why managing Mental Health is so important.
Without the help of a medical professional, these conditions can take a serious toll on the mental, emotional, and physical health of those it affects. Symptoms manifest in many different ways and can dramatically alter one’s quality of life.
Fortunately, help is available for the millions of Americans living with a mental health concern. Official therapeutic techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, and the proper use of medication (with supervision from a doctor) can treat and relieve symptoms effectively. In addition to formal care, at-home monitoring and management can be done to improve day-to-day life.
One way to monitor and manage the symptoms of mental illness is through a mobile app, downloaded to a smartphone or computer. Hundreds of companies have released apps that hope to help users manage their symptoms and when used appropriately, many people find these apps to be a valuable tool in their arsenal.
Of course, a mobile app is not a replacement for professional treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, it’s important to visit a medical expert first. A primary care physician, clinical psychiatrist, or certified counselor can offer the professional care and medical treatment needed to treat the condition. A mobile app should be used only as a supplement to this professional treatment.
See the infographic below for some of the top mental health apps being used around the world for their helpful monitoring features.
Calm
One of the top mental health apps, Calm addresses issues like anxiety, self-care, focus, and depression. It’s available for both Apple and Android and includes unique features like audio courses and white noise soundtracks for sleep.
Headspace
Headspace has been downloaded over 11 million times and is offered by more than 250 companies to their employees. It offers guided meditation sessions in varying lengths to help users relax their bodies and minds. It’s available for Apple and Android users.
FearTools Anxiety Aid
Available for both Apple and Android, FearTools uses an official diagnostic test to assess anxiety. It is entirely free to use and includes a deep breathing feature to help users calm down during a panic or anxiety attack.
Sanvello
Sanvello, formerly known as Pacifica, is a popular app for its mood tracking and guided meditation features. In addition, it offers an anonymous community platform for users to discuss their conditions in a safe, controlled space.
Moodkit
Moodkit uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help users manage the symptoms of depression. It includes mood tracking and journal templates for daily monitoring and is available for Apple users only.
Youper
Youper is a unique app that employs artificial intelligence to offer users the feeling of speaking to a “virtual therapist” in the form of a chatbot. It includes the ability to look back on past conversations for symptom tracking and offers a personality test for more customized results. Youper is available for Apple and Android.
PE Coach 2
For veterans undergoing therapy for PTSD, PE Coach 2 is often used as a tool by the therapist to promote self-monitoring of symptoms at home. It offers homework tools for therapists to help their patients track their progress and is available for both Apple and Android.
PTSD Coach
PTSD Coach was created by the Department of Veteran Affairs as a way to help veterans and other individuals living with PTSD cope with their symptoms more effectively. It’s available for Apple and Android users.
