An app created by the University of West of England to help people cope with anxiety, depression and loneliness.
| Self-help App for the Mind (SAM) |
By University of the West of England and MyOxygen |
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Features
- Self-help tools
- Education and information
- Mood tracking
- Trigger log
- Community forum
Get the app from
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| Country of origin |
UK |
| Clinical review |
Read a clinical review of this app.
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| User reviews |
 (0 reviews)
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| Security and privacy |
Does the app:
- collect medical information: Yes
- require a login: Yes
- have a password: Yes
- have a privacy policy: Yes
- requires internet access to use: No but the app has limited functionality offline
Read more safety tips around health apps. |
| Cost |
Free |
What does the app do?
Self-help App for the Mind (SAM) helps users learn about anxiety, depression and loneliness and practice self-help techniques to manage them.
- Users can keep track of their mood and triggering situations.
- The self-help section offers a variety of tools such as breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, meditation, thought exercises and tips.
- Users can create a list of favourite self-help tools.
- The app also has a discussion forum for users to get and give support.
For a more detailed description of the app, see Apple Store, Google Play or iTunes and for a detailed review, see Reviews.
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PROS
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CONS
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✔ Support from community forum available.
✔ Provides links to other self-help resources.
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✘ Instructions for using app provided but are difficult to find.
✘ Educational components and readings are minimal and superficial.
✘ Although the app provides many different self-help tools, these are difficult to locate and are provided in written, instructional format rather than more interactive means. Some provide incorrect or incomplete instructions for the strategies described.
✘ Some content is not functioning, eg, broken links, and muscle relaxation exercise doesn't play.
✘ Content doesn't address different types of anxiety disorders making advice too general at times to be useful.
✘ Difficult to navigate, unstructured or information provided out of order.
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Review details
- April 2022; Version 1.1.0; Android
- November 2017; Version: 1.2.6; Android
| App developer |
| If you are the developer and would like to provide updated information about this app, please email the app library manager at applibrary@healthnavigator.org.nz. |
Other useful resources
This app has been reviewed by other independent websites.
Learn more
Review of Self Help Anxiety Assessment app iMedicalApps, July 2015
SAM website
Bakker D, Kazantzis N, Rickwood D, et al. Mental Health Smartphone Apps: Review and Evidence-Based Recommendations for Future Developments. JMIR Ment Health. 2016 Mar 1;3(1):e7.
Van Singer M, Chatton A, Khazaal Y. Quality of smartphone apps related to panic disorder Front Psychiatry. 2015 Jul 14;6:96.
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Clinical review
Reviewer: Kris Garstang, Clinical Psychologist, Life Mind Psychology
Date of review: April 2022
Version: 1.1.0
Platform: Android
Comments: I don’t think this app is useful for those wanting tools to self-manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although it does contain some useful information about strategies, these are difficult to find and the content is unreliable in its quality. It does not have an evidence base and there are apps on the market that are much more interactive than this one, which tends to give written instructions for strategies, rather than interactive ways to practice them. It also seemed to me that this app has had limited clinical input in its latest iteration as some instructions for coping tools are incorrect. The only really interactive exercises provided are broken or have limited functionality, making it a frustrating experience for the user.
NZ relevance: The Unable to Cope section of this App relates solely to UK based support. The links supplied to others pages and agencies all relate to UK material and experiences.
Safety concerns: The emergency contact sections for this app are difficult to find and are all UK based. Instructions for accessing emergency support are confusing. Moderation of the community forum appears infrequent.
Clinical review
Reviewer: Robynann Dyson, Primary Health Nurse, Whangarei
Date of review: October 2017
Comments: The app is easy to use and relevant. It allows the user to gain a deeper understanding into anxiety, its triggers and management. It is a bit wordy at times, although with familiarity of the app, this is negated.
Safety concerns: None
New Zealand relevance: Fine
