Our articles over the last few weeks have really focused on the app design & development process and journey. Now it’s time to focus on the “afterwards” and how apps can really help us in everyday life. We have researched the best mental health apps australia.
It’s no secret that the last few years have been like no other, with the pandemic taking over our lives and the stress of not knowing if our jobs are safe, life in lockdown and worrying about the safety of our family and friends. Our mental health has really been put to the test! So what do we do when we simply can’t afford to go and see a psychologist, counsellor or therapist but need a little help with our mental health?
We can download a mental health app! 🙂 Mental health apps are tools which can be accessed via our smartphones devices and most focus on aspects such as reducing stress, anxiety and improving sleep. A lot of mental health apps offer different types of techniques and strategies and have been endorsed by licensed healthcare professionals.
In the last few years, there’s been a multitude of mental health apps that have become available for smartphone users. Most of the time they are free and the mental health apps on offer have an abundance of resources that make therapeutic approaches more accessible for the everyday user.
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is an Australian made app which has been developed by psychologists and focusses on mindfulness. There are a number of daily meditation exercises which the user can work through & there is even the choice between a man or a womans voice which we think is awesome!
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Mentemia
Mentemia is an app that coaches mental wellbeing. Free to all Australians. Endorsed by our very own Mick Fanning. Mentemia helps users learn to control their anxiety. The app distinguishes itself from what is already available as it takes medically proven techniques and transforms them into interactive and engaging tasks. It works to help recognise stress and puts forth methods to support and improve anxiety.
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Headspace
“Headpsace has one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world.” Headspace was launched in 2010 and was originally an event company. The British founder Andy Rich and his team realised that the people attending the events were wanting to take home with them the tools that they had learned in the workshops and so the headspace mental health app was created.
Headspace focuses on meditation and mindfulness to improve sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. Headspace offers guided exercises and videos and even claims that 10 days of headspace can increase happiness by 16%
Headspace have also just partnered with Netflix – Headspace Guide to sleep!
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Happify
Happify was founded in 2012 by 3 entrepreneurs who were certain that technology could make people’s lives better. With their actual expertise being in gaming and technology, the founders wanted to bring science and technology together to create something fun and engaging which could help people.
Happify provides people with the tools to take control of their thoughts and feelings and offers techniques for mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. As you can imagine by the name, Happify really does focus on happiness and the science behind it and provides games and activities to help retraining peoples negative thoughts.
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Breathe, Think, Do with sesame street (Mental Health App for Kids)
This has to be one of our favourites, this app for kids is designed to teach skills such as problem solving, self control and planning. There is an activity called “Breathe with the Monster” which is an activity to help kids do breathing exercises to calm down.
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Calm
Calm has been regarded as one of the best mental health apps available and aims to help with health and happiness, it comes with relaxing soundtracks, exercise and meditation and was awarded apple app of the year in 2017. Calm is used for anybody who needs to get better sleep and feel a little bit spiritual at the same time.
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Talkspace
Talkspace is convenient and affordable and allows you to be matched with a licensed therapist. You are then able to message, have video calls at your convenience. This app is subscription based and for users 13 and over. Talkspace allows a user to contact their allocated therapist at any time and comes with a guarantee that the therapist will respond once per day – 5 days per week. In one recent study, 81% of participants felt Talkspace is as effective or better than in-person therapy. Talkspace has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and CNN.
The Best Mental Health Apps Australia –Mindshift
Mindshift was developed by Anxiety Canada and really focuses on anxiety and provides the tools to help deal with worry, panic, social anxiety and phobias. Mindshift uses techniques and strategies based on behavioral cognitive therapy. Mind Shift claims to be the go to app for anxiety management.
Final Thoughts
For people who are feeling a bit low or struggling mentally, there are some awesome benefits to using a mental health app.
- You can use the app in the privacy of your own home and remain anonymous
- They are easily accessible and a more cost effective option
- They are convenient which means you can use them anytime
In addition to this some counsellors have claimed that the apps have assisted with tracking their clients’ progress:
– Rita Schnarr, MA, RCC
Clinical Counsellor
Mental Health apps are an great way to keep a track of our mental health and wellness. There are a number of free-to-download options available for a variety of wants and needs.
Not every app is suitable for everyone. However, the free apps allow you to try multiple options to find the best fit for you
