Let\u2019s face it, making an appointment with your doctor isn\u2019t always easy. When it comes to mental health clinicians, it can take three to four weeks to get an appointment. Most clinicians only see patients during the day, and if you need prolonged therapy, it can be difficult to get away for a couple of hours each week to see someone.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the internet has some answers. There are virtually hundreds of apps available to help you deal with mental health problems. Here are 10 good services which can help you monitor your mental health and help you learn to reduce stress.<\/p>\n
**Please note** – If you\u2019re in a crisis, you should seek professional help immediately. Call 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1\u2011800\u2011273\u2011TALK.<\/em><\/p>\n Below are 10 wonderful mental health apps to choose from:<\/p>\n 1. Breathe2Relax<\/strong> Breathe2Relax<\/a> walks you through belly breathing, which is supposed to decrease the body\u2019s fight-or-flight response. Before you do the exercise, you measure your stress. When finished, you report how you feel. This is a good reminder to practice healthy breathing techniques and to slow down when stressed or angry.<\/p>\n 2. Lantern<\/strong> With Calm<\/a>, you can improve your quality of sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and indulge in self-improvement guided meditations. You can try Calm for free with a short trial, and there is also paid Calm content specifically for professional environments and for students.<\/p>\n 3. Talkspace<\/strong> Talkspace<\/a> is a subscription therapy service, with therapists available throughout the day. You send a message to your therapist in a private chat room. There are no contracts, and you are charged on a monthly basis. All therapists are carefully selected and have more than 3,000 hours of clinical experience.<\/p>\n 4. PTSD Coach<\/strong> The Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 National Center for PTSD developed PTSD Coach<\/a> app for veterans, active military personnel, and civilians to help deal with the symptoms of PTSD. It\u2019s not a clinical tool, but it can help you track symptoms and find out what works over time. I felt like it was a bit clunky to set up, but it\u2019s very practical in nature.<\/p>\n 5. Optimism<\/strong> Optimism<\/a> is an app that focuses on self-tracking your mood and other triggers to your mental health. Not only can you get a better understanding of your mental health and find methods that work in reducing stress, you can also set up a wellness plan. The fee-based aspect of the app lets you send information to your clinician. Your family members can also use the app to help give you information about your behavior.<\/p>\n 6. SAM: Self Help for Anxiety Management<\/strong> Cope with anxiety using SAM<\/a>. The app offers 25 self-help options that can be personalized to your own worries. You record your anxiety levels and identify triggers, then you get ideas on how to manage your stress. There is an anonymous social cloud feature where you can talk to others who are using the app. The iPhone says that the app might slow down your phone.<\/p>\n 7. Pacifica<\/strong> With Pacifica<\/a>, you have the ability to track moods and your health to better understand your patterns. You check in daily with your mood and other health habits, then complete mindfulness and therapy-based activities. Pacifica sends an email to you each week with a report. You also have the option to connect with other Pacifica users. It has many more options to help you reach your goals and to change your thought patterns.<\/p>\n 8. Headspace Web, iOS, Android Headspace<\/a> helps you learn mindfulness and meditation. It\u2019s recommended to be used in conjunction with a health provider, but if you\u2019re trying to get better with concentration or breathing, this app has some great content. It\u2019s easy to use, and the techniques have been shown to reduce your overall stress.<\/p>\n 9. Panic Relief<\/strong>
\niOS, Android
\nFree<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWeb-based with iOS supplemental app for users
\nMonthly fee<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWeb, iOS, Android
\nMonthly fee<\/em><\/p>\n
\niOS, Android
\nFree<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWeb, iOS, Android
\nFree with in-app purchases to send data to a clinician <\/em><\/p>\n
\niOS, Android
\nFree <\/em><\/p>\n
\nWeb, iOS, Android
\nFree<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFree for the first 10 days<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\niOS, Android
\nFree, upgrade to get more help with the paid version <\/em><\/p>\n