Mental health and wellbeing apps

Apps for anxiety, stress, depression and general mental health.

There are a variety of mobile phone apps for anxiety, stress, depression and general mental health. They can help you learn about your condition, figure out whether your medication is working, record details about your symptoms and some provide tools to help you manage mental health problems. The Health Navigator team has reviewed some mental health and wellbeing apps that you may like to consider.

App  Features Clinical review

Breathe2Relax

  
  • Guided breathing
  • Education and information
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Breathe2Relax
  

Headspace
  • Guided meditation
  • Meditation reminders
  • Meditation tracking
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free trial; paid subscription for full content
  • Read more about Headspace

MindShift
  • Self-help tools
  • Education and information
  • Anxiety tracking
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about MindShift
  

PTSD Coach

  
  • Self-help tools
  • Symptom tracking
  • Education and information
  • Self-assessment
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about PTSD Coach

Self-help Anxiety Management (SAM)
  • Self-help tools
  • Education and information
  • Anxiety tracking
  • Trigger recording
  • Discussion forum
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Self-help Anxiety Management (SAM)

Smiling Mind
  • Guided meditation and mindfulness
  • Meditation reminders
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Smiling Mind
  

Thinkladder
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy self-help
  • Insights and affirmations
  • Alerts and reminders
  • Available from iTunes
  • Cost: NZD$4.49
  • Read more about Thinkladder

T2 Mood Tracker
  • Mood tracking
  • Reminders
  • Graphs and reports for sharing
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about T2 Mood Tracker
   

Virtual Hope Box
  • Games
  • Meditation exercises
  • Activities to reduce stress
  • Motivational quotes 
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Virtual Hope Box

Wellmind
  • Self-help tools
  • Mood tracking
  • Education and information
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Wellmind
  

Excluded apps
  • What's My M3 - app scored low on clinical review due to uncertainty and safety concerns about the depression screening tool used

Learn more

As there are so many apps to support mental health and wellbeing, we have not been able to review all those available. We have instead identified independent organisations that have reviewed these apps.

  • ReachOut.com (Australia): aimed at helping young people get through anything from everyday issues to tough time. 
  • PsyberGuide (United States): aims to help people make responsible and informed decisions about apps and other digital tools for mental health.
  • Mind in Brighton and Hove (United Kingdom): aims to promote good mental health.

You may also find the following article useful: Do mental health apps really work?Patient.info UK

Did you find this information useful?

Last reviewed: 10 Dec 2018