Approximately one in every five Americans struggles with some form of mental illness.
As society has become more open and communicative about mental health and breaking the stigma, technology has followed this progression.
As such, apps for anxiety, depression, and mental well-being are abundant these days, but many aren’t vetted by professionals. It’s important to choose an app that helps with mental health symptoms that the American Psychiatric Association recommends personally. (The APA has a great evaluation tool you can look at here.)
“You’ve seen a shift in the last decade of how we talk about mental health as a culture,” says Dr. Vaile Wright of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. “I think the stigma has reduced to a certain extent. We’ve seen celebrities and professional athletes and people coming out talking about their mental health issues—and so I think you have greater interest as a culture, and that creates a market.”
Here are some apps professionals do advocate for:
Headspace
Meditation is an excellent technique to ease anxiety symptoms, and to prepare your mind for any future stressors.
Headspace guides you through a meditation journey, featuring step-by-step breathing exercises, guided meditation, and more. The first week is free, and then after that, it’s $12.99/month. It also offers student and family pricing.
Download Headspace here.
MoodTools
MoodTools aids in helping you first devise a plan to help you understand, and then alleviate, depression symptoms. Some of the tools you’ll have on hand include a thought diary that’ll help you track your moods; a safety plan for suicidal ideation; and brain activities for when you’re feeling down.
The app is free, but offers an upgraded package that starts at $4.99/month.
Download MoodTools here.
Related: The Best Apps to Own Your Workouts This Year
Calm
With over half a million downloads, Calm is one of the best apps for sleep, meditation, and relaxation. It keeps your schedule in mind, allowing you to choose a meditation program that can range from three minutes, to 25 minutes. The app also has a cool feature called “Sleep Stories” that have celebrities like Matthew McConaughey reading you a bedtime story (you’re sold now, aren’t you).
“Many people I work with have high anxiety. Mindful breathing and meditation can be very helpful in lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system,” says Laurie Sloane, a licensed clinical social worker from New York.
Download Calm here.
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