Mental health is a big deal. Overlooked in the past, these days it’s not uncommon to find the toughest character going to therapy to find ways to deal with their stress, depression and anxiety, which often affects productivity and quality of life.
Not everyone can afford therapy though, but luckily almost everyone has a smartphone. Therefore self-help, meditation and mental health apps are viable options when trying to deal with these issues. Here we showcase some of the top self-help and mental health apps Including two with added value options, and one where users can speak directly to a mental health practitioner.
Aura Health Free Meditation App
This app claims that it can make a difference with just three minutes a day and offers a 7-day free trial period to test this claim. Aura Health offers users to access a huge database of meditation, life coaching, cognitive behavioural therapy, and hypnosis among many other methods. One of the main goals of this app is to promote healthy sleep patterns and mental wellness.
It has been featured in Oprah magazine, the New York Times and Forbes among others. Programs are also tailor-made via an in-app questionnaire and those who register via the Aura website get a sleep score reading via a similar questionnaire.
Sensa Health App
Another app with a perk when registering via the website, with Sensa Health, users get an anxiety score, giving them an idea of how stressed and anxious they are. It also has plenty of app perks including a mood journal and various 10–30-minute exercises aimed at formulating new habits.
This is topped off with a weekly, DASS-21 (depression, anxiety, stress self-evaluation). This allows users to monitor their progress and compare weeks to see how much their outlook has changed since using the application. This app is geared to steer its users towards a more balanced lifestyle.
Download for Android or IOS
Kena Health App
Ever heard of “Doctor Google?” This is someone who Googles the symptoms they’re feeling, gets a bunch of correct answers and still comes up with the wrong diagnosis. This is because, obviously, only a real doctor can diagnose an illness, and the Kena Health app solves this issue. This app offers the efficiency and ease of a search engine, with a direct link to several real doctors, nurses and mental health practitioners.
This direct link allows users to get an expert opinion without sitting in a doctor’s room. It also provides access to top mental health practitioners, who provide expertise on a range of issues including stress, and anxiety among other things. It’s also great if you need a prescription, a referral to a specialist or even a sick note (wink wink).
Download for Android or IOS
Headspace
If it hasn’t been established already, poor sleep is a major culprit in elevating stress, anxiety, and issues revolving around efficiency. This is where Headspace comes in. By teaching users various meditation methods, this mobile app has become popular for promoting good sleep.
Besides sleep, the app also promotes mindfulness, which aids teamwork ability, and improves focus along with productivity. This app also has the added value of providing sports meditation teachings, which is great for amateur sportspeople looking for an extra edge.
Download for Android or IOS
BetterMe: Mental Health
The BetterMe brand has developed a reputation in the wellness arena thanks to its diet and exercise app, which includes a fasting tracker. With the mental health app they are channelling their expertise into the self-help market, and it doesn’t take much time either.
It promises to help alleviate stress, depression, and anxiety in just minutes a day using simple relaxation methods. These methods include guided meditation and various other techniques. This is also tailor-made based on the goals users set for themselves i.e. Being less anxious, being more resilient under stress and, of course, sleeping better.
Download for Android or IOS
Find Real Help
If you or a loved one are struggling to cope, help is available. Call the South African Depression and Anxiety Group on 0800 456 789 or 0800 21 22 23 to speak to a counsellor.
