An app to help people cope with strong, unpleasant emotions.
| Virtual Hope Box | By T2 |
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Features
Get the app from   |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Clinical review |  Read a clinical review of this app. |
| User reviews |
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| Security and privacy | Does the app:
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| Cost | Free |
What does the app do?
The Virtual Hope Box app was originally developed for military service men and women (and their families) by the US Department of Defense. It contains simple tools to help people cope with strong, unpleasant emotions. The app is divided into four main sections.
- Distract Me has four types of short games you can play to distract yourself from negative thoughts and feelings. You can choose your own photo to use in the photo puzzle game, play sudoku, do a word search or play mahjong solitaire.
- Inspire Me has lots of inspirational quotes or you can add your own quotes.
- Relax Me is an interactive feature with a variety of exercises to help you manage stress such as controlled breathing, meditation and muscle relaxation.
- Coping Tools allows you to create coping cards and plan activities. The coping cards help you identify specific situations or triggers that you struggle with. You can identify the problem, the emotions you feel when that problem comes up, and skills you can use to cope.
The app also allows you to add your own photos, videos and songs that make you feel happy and inspired, and allows you to add support contacts who you could call when you’re feeling down or having an emergency. For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play or iTunes and for a detailed review, see Reviews.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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✔ Easy to access progressive muscle relaxation exercise (PGM). |
✘ Many functions of the app only work if permissions are given to access other media and contacts list on your phone when installing app. |
Review details
- April 2022; Version 1.5.9; Android
- July 2018; Version 1.4; 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. |
Learn more
The following links has more information on the Virtual Hope Box app:
Virtual Hope Box PsyberGuide
References
- Denneson LM, Smolenski DJ, Bauer BW, et al. The mediating role of coping self-efficacy in Hope Box use and suicidal ideation severity. Arch Suicide Res. 2018 Apr 6:1-13.
- Bush NE, Smolenski DJ, Denneson LM, et al. A Virtual Hope Box – randomized controlled trial of a smartphone app for emotional regulation and coping With distress. Psychiatr Serv. 2017 Apr 1;68(4):330-336.
- Bush NE, et al. Development and evaluation of a Virtual Hope Box for reducing suicidal ideation National Center for Telehealth & Technology, US
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