Top 10 Free Mental Health Apps

If you’re looking for good mental health apps, those selected here are all solid. But the really great thing about the apps on this list?

Not only are they useful for your personal mental health mobile toolkit, and for referring to clients, they’re all free.

Keep up with the latest mental health information with the PsychCentral app [1] . It’s free too!

1. MindShift [2]

A great tool for anxiety available on iPhone and Andoid [3] , developed by Anxiety BC [4] . It teaches relaxation skills, develops new thinking, and suggests healthy activities. Designed for youth but useful to anyone.

2. PTSD Coach [5]

Helpful for symptoms of combat-related post-traumatic stress, this trusted military app has been downloaded over 100,000 times for iPhone and Android [6] . Featuring versions in French-Canadian and more.

3. BellyBio Interactive Breathing [7]

Wonderful biofeedback device that monitors your breathing and plays sounds reminiscent of ocean waves when you relax. Great for anxiety and stress. iPhone [8] only.

4. Positive Activity Jackpot [9]

A unique augmented reality tool that uses the functionality of a smartphone in an innovative way. Combines a professional behavioral health therapy for depression called pleasant event scheduling (PES) with activities available in the user’s location, mapped with GPS. For Android [10] only.

5. Take a Break! Guided Meditations for Stress Relief [11]

From the excellent developers of relaxation apps at Meditation Oasis [12] comes this free app to quickly recharge. Listen to a seven-minute Work Break or 13-minute Stress Relief recording with or without music or nature sounds. iPhone [13] or Android [14] .

6. Previdence [15]

An assessment tool that allows users to check for symptoms of depression, anxiety, relationship issues, drug and alcohol issues, and other problems and makes recommendations for action. iPhone [16] only.

7. Operation Reach Out [17]

This lifesaving app for iPhone [18] and Android [19] was developed by the military to prevent suicide. Recorded videos and menu options help users assess their thinking and reach out for help in crisis.

8. Relax with Andrew Johnson Lite [20]

Great guided meditation session for relaxation, helpful with anxiety and stress as well as a sleep aid. Available in Android [21] and iPhone [22] versions.

9. T2 Mood Tracker [23]

Tracks symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD , traumatic brain injury, stress and general well-being. Useful to share with clinicians and chart recovery. Another excellent app developed by the Department of Defense National Center for Telehealth and Technology (see their complete list [24] ), for Android [25] and iPhone [26] .

10. Relax and Sleep Well with Glenn Harold [27]

Twenty-minute guided meditation with music to help you fall asleep. Relaxing and gentle. For iPhone [28] and Android [29] .

 

Do you have a favorite app not on the list?
Please share in the comments.

 

Sandra Kiume is a mental health advocate. Along with contributing to World of Psychology, she writes Channel N, PsychCentral's brain and behaviour video blog, and is the founder of @unsuicide and Online Suicide Help. She lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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Catch up on other posts by Sandra Kiume (or subscribe to their feed ).

[30] [31] [32]

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 18 Sep 2013
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.

APA Reference
Kiume, S. (2013). Top 10 Free Mental Health Apps. Psych Central. Retrieved on September 20, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/09/20/top-10-free-mental-health-apps/

 

Links

1. ^{^} PsychCentral app (itunes.apple.com)
2. ^{^} MindShift (www.anxietybc.com)
3. ^{^} iPhone and Andoid (www.anxietybc.com)
4. ^{^} Anxiety BC (www.anxietybc.com)
5. ^{^} PTSD Coach (www.ptsd.va.gov)
6. ^{^} iPhone and Android (www.ptsd.va.gov)
7. ^{^} BellyBio Interactive Breathing (itunes.apple.com)
8. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
9. ^{^} Positive Activity Jackpot (play.google.com)
10. ^{^} Android (play.google.com)
11. ^{^} Take a Break! Guided Meditations for Stress Relief (itunes.apple.com)
12. ^{^} Meditation Oasis (www.meditationoasis.com)
13. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
14. ^{^} Android (play.google.com)
15. ^{^} Previdence (itunes.apple.com)
16. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
17. ^{^} Operation Reach Out (itunes.apple.com)
18. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
19. ^{^} Android (play.google.com)
20. ^{^} Relax with Andrew Johnson Lite (itunes.apple.com)
21. ^{^} Android (play.google.com)
22. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
23. ^{^} T2 Mood Tracker (itunes.apple.com)
24. ^{^} complete list (www.t2health.org)
25. ^{^} Android (play.google.com)
26. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
27. ^{^} Relax and Sleep Well with Glenn Harold (itunes.apple.com)
28. ^{^} iPhone (itunes.apple.com)
29. ^{^} Android (play.google.com)
30. ^{^} Channel N (blogs.psychcentral.com)
31. ^{^} @unsuicide (twitter.com)
32. ^{^} Online Suicide Help (unsuicide.wikispaces.com)

source: psychcentral.com