To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, Health Tech World has put together a list of ten of the most popular mental health apps for smartphones or tablets.
All of the following apps have at least a four star rating on the App Store from more than 1,000 reviews.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis do not use these apps, instead call NHS 111, speak to your GP or call Samaritans on 116 123. In an emergency call 999.
Wysa
Wysa AI Coach is an artificial intelligence-based ’emotionally intelligent’ service which responds to the emotions its user expresses.
It uses evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, meditation, breathing, yoga, motivational interviewing and micro-actions to help users to build mental resilience skills and feel better.
Price: Talking to Wysa AI is free, including tools offered in chat. It charges $29.99 for a premium version with convenient features as well as Wysa well-being coach or therapist services.
Calm
Calm is a meditation, sleep and relaxation app.
It offers unique audio content that strengthens mental fitness and tackles some of the biggest mental health challenges: stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Price: The Calm app is free to download and some free content is available, but a £28.99 paid subscription to Calm Premium unlocks access to Calm’s entire content library.
Daylio
Daylio is a self-care bullet journal with goals, mood diary and happiness tracker.
It allows users to create a daily entry in two taps – pick mood and activities. The app crunches the data and display it in stats, charts, and correlations.
Price: It’s free to use. The premium version for $2.99 monthly or $23.99 annually.
Reflectly
Reflectly is a journal using artificial intelligence to help users structure and reflect upon their daily thoughts and problems. It’s a personal mental health companion.
Price: There is a seven day free trial or sign up is $47.99 per year.
Tappy
Tappy is a therapeutic fidgeting app designed to help users to reduce stress and anxiety in a fun and satisfying way.
There are also fidget games and tools that give satisfying haptic feedback responses. Tappy is a one stop fidget app for relaxing, focusing and having fun.
Price: Tappy is free, but no-advert membership costs extra.
BetterHelp
BetterHelp is the largest therapy platform worldwide.
It offers access to licensed, trained, experienced and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and board licensed professional counsellors.
Price: The cost of therapy through BetterHelp ranges from £40 to £70 per week (billed every four weeks).
Woebot
Woebot is an automated conversational agent (chatbot) that helps users to monitor mood and learn about themselves.
Drawing from a therapeutic framework known as cognitive behaviour therapy, Woebot asks people how they’re feeling and what is going on in their lives in the format of brief daily conversations.
Price: Woebot is free to use.
FitMind
FitMind is a master meditation app with a systematic training programme.
Price: FitMind offers a one week free trial and then an auto-renewing subscription of $11.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
Headspace
Headspace is a guided meditation app for mindfulness, sleep and more.
Its friendly and colourful graphics are catered towards young people to take intimidation out of the meditation world.
Price: The spoken-word exercises start with a 10-session pack that comes free with the initial download. After that it costs £9.99 a month or £74.99 a year.
BetterSleep
BetterSleep offers a personalised sleep experience for more restful nights and wakeful days.
Users can discover their chronotype, track their sleep and create effective bedtime routines that draw from a rich audio collection, guided stories, and relaxation practices.
Price: A seven-day trial is available for all new customers. Once the trial is completed, BetterSleep charges an annual subscription fee of up to $60.
