Years ago, no one would have ever thought of checking their heart health with a mobile phone or a smart watch. Yet, mobile applications (or “apps”) on tablets, mobile phones, and smart watches are becoming more and more common in healthcare. Technology even makes it possible to get mental health help wherever you are. From online therapy to handy mental healthcare mobile apps, it’s easier than ever to deal with problems like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and you can take this help with you, no matter where you are.

Depression Apps

Many depression apps have come out in recent years, but it’s important to get one that works for you. Here are a few to consider:

Moodpath

This app screens for depression by asking you questions each day. At the end of two weeks, it provides you with a document you can use when you talk to your mental health provider. In addition, it has mental health tools that you can use on your own to improve your mental health.

MY3

MY3 is another app for depression and suicide prevention. You set up three contacts to get in touch with if you’re feeling especially down. It helps you create a safety plan to use if you’re feeling suicidal, including warning signs and support networks.

MoodTools

This app uses tools like a thought diary to help you root out and decrease negative thinking. MoodTools also has a safety plan maker, self-help guidelines and videos, and a depression tracker.

Anxiety Apps

If you have a lot of anxiety, you may find yourself nervously playing with your phone, scrolling through the news or social media, or playing mobile games. However, you can find apps that make that time spent looking at your phone more productive and beneficial for your mental health.

Anxiety Reliever

This app uses the audio on your phone to promote a more peaceful state. As you listen to these relaxation-focused sessions, you learn about techniques for overcoming anxiety.

Headspace

A meditation app like this can help you learn about and how to practice meditation. Headspace gives you an array of different guided meditations to choose from to help you calm down, be mindful, and relieve some of your anxiety.

PTSD Coach 

The U.S. government wanted to help its military veterans deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, so they created a mobile app called PTSD Coach. This app proved to be effective in clinical trials. PTSD Coach helps the user set up a support network, recognize symptoms and triggers of their PTSD, and learn coping strategies specific to PTSD.

All Purpose Mental Health Apps

Do you have more than one mental health concern? If so, an all-purpose app might be a better choice for you. You can use the following apps for a variety of issues and concerns.

What’s Up

What’s Up is a very popular tool that helps with a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and anger. The app was designed to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods to help you track both positive and negative habits.

Happify

This is an app that covers many different mental health issues – the user selects the types of issues they would like to work on. These could be anxiety, parenting, or a range of other options. Then, the app gives you activities and fun things like small games to do to learn and improve in the chosen areas of focus.

Online Therapy

Mobile apps are great for daily use, but sometimes, you need to devote more time to your mental health by talking to a counselor. Fortunately, the advances in technology have also made it possible for you to receive online therapy through your mobile device, tablet, laptop, or home computer.

Online therapists use the same psychological techniques as they would use if you saw them face-to-face for an office session. They can help you deal with nearly any mental health issue, although you will need to get immediate, local help if you have suicidal thoughts and plans.

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform where counselors and clients can be connected to discuss any problems that clients may have. The sessions are affordable, private, and professional, and these sessions are devoted to dealing with your unique issues in ways that make sense for your particular situation.

With mobile apps and online therapy at your command, you can work on your mental health issues wherever and whenever you need, as much as you’d like. Mental health apps may not offer a complete cure for mental health disorders, but they can set you on the path to mental wellness and offer you a bit of guidance and a range of practical tools along the way.