Apps
WhatsUp
Overview
This app is designed to provide information, coping strategies, diary functions and ways of maintaining positive mental health attitudes
What we like
The app is community ran which i like. The app is free but you can donate should you wish to. The app is really informative and offers very in depth explanations into the nature of depression, anger, anxiety, self esteem and stress. These being the most common conditions among people, this material is invaluable for people that want to understand more about their own condition. THere is also the forum option which allows interaction which is a great feature.
Conclusion
Overall, the app is great. Being a small start up app, there is only so much that can be included but what is included is really detailed information that anyone would benefit from, even if they don’t have a condition just to understand it better to help someone else.
Happify
Overview
Happily is an app that offers science based activities and games that the user can do (the free ones, there is a premium version of the app as well) which are designed to help overcome stress and negative thoughts.
What we like
I really like how it has an option to be in community or private mode. Some people do find a huge benefit with talking to and interacting with people that experience similar things mentally. It can really help you feel less alone. The private option obviously speaks for itself. It is more heavy on the science and psych side of things which is not a bad thing at all. I wouldn’t say this is tailored to younger ages, but mid teens 100%.
Conclusion
Overall, the app offers free content that includes CBT and meditation techniques to help overcome negative mindsets and get you on track to a more positive way of thinking. All of which is hugely beneficial.
Stay Alive
Overview
This is a suicide prevention app. Within it there are multiple tools and resources that one can use to help them fight suicidal thoughts.
What we like
The section where you store positive images and photos of things that you care about is a really subtle but effective way of reminding the user of things to stay alive for. It also has a safety plan for the user to fill out to make sure that they are protected and have steps that are clear and they can take when they feel out of control and unsafe from suicide. It also has a recovery plan which i really like the concept of. A way of maintaining progress.
Conclusion
This app is understandably quite specific rather than general mental health assistance. But for people that suffer from suicidal tendencies, this app is invaluable. It has resources for people to use, really useful exercises and overall the content is well thought through. It is often easy to forget the good when things are bad and this app serves as a constant reminder of what is good in your life and what you should live for.
Catch It
Overview
Acts as a mood diary primarily. It also has a tool to help you rethink negative thoughts and turn them into something more positive too.
What we like
I like how precise the app is with exact timings on mood logging. It really helps to see a linear process of how your mood fluctuates. The app is super user friendly, really easy to navigate. I also really like how it is PIN protected. For anyone who is uneasy about logging their moods in case somebody finds their phone, all their entries are totally protected and private. It also gives you the option to share the diary. This would be very useful for anyone in counselling that feels benefit from sharing it with their mentor.
Conclusion
It is a basic app, but it nails its core functions. The UI is easy to understand and the purpose of the app is really useful for anyone wanting to keep track of their mental health from day to day.
Wysa
Overview
Wysa has varied functions. There is a chat bot that you can talk to completely anon. This can be really useful for getting things off your chest. It has a wellbeing tracker and offers meditation advise for anxiety and stress.
What we like
Really user friendly. It has a section to say where you heard about it and there is a school option so it was clearly designed with young people in mind too. There are lots of options to choose from with what you need help with which offers a good variety. It does have a paid therapist function within the app, this is great and it's not pushy with it, the app is still free and is the bulk of the content. The interactive chat bot is really intuitive and very helpful. After using for a few days it did make a difference. Super useful tool.
Conclusion
This app is a fantastic option. The chat bot function is so unique and seems as though you are talking to an actual person. Perfect for people that feel embarrassed or anxious to start talking about their problems, this can be a fantastic first step. The bot offers genuinely helpful mindfulness responses and is very engaging and positive. I would use this myself on a day to day basis. It offers a medicine reminder too. All round very varied and excellent app.
