Top 3 Smartphone Apps That Will Improve Your Mental Health
Let’s say that Martha has been experiencing some troubling mental health symptoms. She doesn’t have a network of close peers or a strong support system. Even worse, she feels like she doesn’t have the time to take care of her mental health. She goes through the same routine every day: an alarm wakes her up, she gets ready for the day, she commutes to work, sits in traffic again on the way home, has dinner, and prepares to do it all over again. It’s hard for her to imagine finding the time to make regular appointments, especially if they’re emotionally exhausting. She also struggles with the thought of sitting across from a therapist and sharing her deepest thoughts and feelings.
It can be hard enough to acknowledge mental health concerns and even harder to find a treatment plan that works. Not everyone has access to care that covers mental health, and if available, it may be too costly. Smartphone apps provide an alternative to therapy that works for many individuals like Martha. They are certainly worth a try if you feel like traditional therapy isn’t for you. However, it’s important to mention that none of the apps listed below are a substitute for in-person sessions with a medical professional. Furthermore, if you struggle with a smartphone addiction, you may want to search for a different option.
Top 3 Smartphone Apps That Will Improve Your Mental Health
1. Bloom: CBT Therapy and Self-Care
Bloom advertises itself as the equivalent of having a therapist in your pocket. The app uses self-guided CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) methods to help users find what works for them. These include journaling exercises, guided therapy sessions, and other activities to transform your thought patterns and behavioral reactions. Users also have the chance to select the coaches they like best, report their daily moods, practice mindfulness, and gain insights over time.
Bloom offers a free trial so users can try the service before committing to a long-term plan. After the trial period, the cost is $14.50 per month or $59.95 yearly. Most professional therapy sessions cost much more per session, so this will still save you plenty of money.
2. Talkspace
Talkspace is an app that connects you with real mental health professionals who are trained and licensed. With this option, users are able to speak to a therapist through text, video and audio messaging. Talkspace works by first asking you to fill out a brief assessment form. Then, you’re able to pick a provider and start therapy. The company also specializes in couples’ therapy, teen therapy and psychiatric evaluations. Truthfully, this is about as close as you’ll get to professional therapy without booking an in-person appointment.
Using Talkspace costs $69 per week, but you’ll receive unlimited messaging therapy with a licensed expert. For $129 per week, you can also receive 4 45-minute live sessions per month. They also offer a 7-day free trial.
3. Calm
If you suffer from anxiety, Calm is the perfect app for you. This app provides a wide range of meditative exercises, relaxation methods, breathing exercises, sleep aids and audio programs. Even beginners who are looking to start meditating can enjoy the preventative benefits of this app. Of course, with severe mental health complications, it’s always better to receive help from a licensed professional. But for those who are experiencing anxiety symptoms and looking for quick, easy relief, this is a great app to try.
Calm offers a 7-day free trial. After that, the annual cost for Calm Premium is $70 or $14.99 a month.
Partner with Lead4Life, Inc. to Improve Your Mental Health
At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources and tools so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills.
