It is no secret the past few years have put an extra strain on mental health and well-being across the population. With many crisis services at breaking point, people are looking to alternative sources of support to help them cope, and one of those is online programs and apps. Some studies suggest very few apps available are actually effective, but thankfully, there are a number of reliable and evidence-based apps available to help address a range of mental health concerns.
From anxiety and depression to alcohol use and mindfulness, these apps can be a helpful addition to anyone’s mental health toolkit. We have put together a list of some of our favourites.
WorryTime App
The “WorryTime” app by ReachOut Australia is an excellent resource for people who struggle with anxiety and worries. It is free and designed to help users manage their worries by creating a personalized list of concerns, setting aside specific time for worry management, and tracking progress. The app also provides CBT techniques to help users better understand and manage their worries.
Daybreak App
The Daybreak app by Hello Sunday Morning is an innovative digital tool designed to help people transform their relationship with alcohol. It provides a supportive community, daily motivation, and tracking tools to help people achieve their goals around drinking. With the app, users can set personal goals, track their progress, receive feedback from a community, and get personalized insights into their drinking patterns.
Smiling Mind App
The Smiling Mind app is a free mindfulness and meditation app developed by an Australian non-profit organization. It offers guided meditations and mindfulness exercises designed to help users reduce stress, improve focus, and boost their overall well-being. The app provides programs for different age groups, including children, teenagers, and adults, and allows users to track their progress over time.
NACCHO Aboriginal Health App
The NACCHO Aboriginal Health App is a mobile application that provides health information and resources to Indigenous Australians. Developed by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the app offers features like news and events, a directory of Aboriginal health services, a medication tracker, and a symptom checker. It also provides culturally appropriate and accessible health promotion materials and resources for specific health issues. The app aims to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians and is available for free on iOS and Android devices.
Headspace
Headspace is a popular meditation and mindfulness app that provides guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep sounds to help users manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve their mental well-being. The app offers a variety of programs and courses for different needs, such as stress reduction, improved sleep, and increased focus.
Mental Health Online – Made 4 Me
Mental Health Online – Made for Me is an online program that provides personalized mental health support to users. After completing a brief assessment, the app creates a customized program of evidence-based interventions to help users manage their mental health. The app includes modules on stress, anxiety, depression, and more.
This Way Up Mindfulness CBT
This Way Up Mindfulness CBT is an online program that offers a range of courses and exercises based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. Users can work through modules on topics like stress, anxiety, and depression, and track their progress over time.
Mood gym
Mood gym is an online training program that uses CBT to help users improve their mental health. The program includes interactive exercises, videos, and quizzes designed to help users develop skills for managing their emotions and improving their moods.
My Compass
My Compass is an app developed by the Black Dog Institute, a leading mental health organization in Australia. The app provides a range of tools and resources to help users manage their mental health, including mood tracking, goal setting, and self-help modules on topics like anxiety and depression. The app also includes a directory of mental health services for users who need additional support.
For those interested in exploring additional digital resources, Head to Health is an Australian government initiative that provides a range of digital mental health resources. Their website features a search function for mental health apps and programs, making it easier for users to find and access evidence-based mental health resources. It also features SAM a virtual assistance/chatbot to curate a list of resources based on situations and symptoms.
