30 of the Best Mental Health Apps, Because We All Deserve to Feel a Little Better Right Now
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For millions of Americans, mental health and therapy apps have become a handy and popular tool, especially in light of the last couple of years of the pandemic.
As we increasingly understand the importance of good mental health, meditation and mindfulness practices, here are some of the best apps around. It's always wise to check with a mental health professional for a personalized treatment plan, but these 30 options, which include free mental health apps, are worth considering in the meantime. Get ready to start downloading!
Best mental health apps
Moodfit
Pointing out that mental health is just as important as physical health, this app helps you track your moods throughout each day, and across multiple days. It reinforces positive messages and allows you to examine such lifestyle choices as diet and exercise, practice gratitude, and much more. Its promise is "fitness for your mental health." (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Related: 12 Apps to Help Relieve Your Anxiety
Sanvello
From stress relief to peer support and therapy advice, this app delivers all the necessary mental health tools—right from your phone. Even better, your health insurance plan may cover it, so be sure to check. (iOS, Android, free for a limited time and then $8.99 per month or $53.99 a year).
Happify
Overcome negative thoughts, handle everyday challenges, and build resilience by playing science-based games—and those are just some of the offerings here, all vetted by psychologists. A whopping 86 percent of users have reported feeling better within two months of installation. (iOS, Android, $14.99 per month).
Related: 10 Awesome Mental Health Podcasts You Need To Subscribe to Right Now—Your Brain Will Thank You
Rootd
This app helps you manage feelings of anxiety, specifically around panic attacks. "Learn changes you can make in the short term that provide relief, manage heightened anxiety, and instill a calm mind," it vows. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases; $6.99 a month; $59.99 a year).
DARE: Break Free from Anxiety
This app assists with panic attacks, worry, insomnia, and more—and it's ranked among the top anxiety and stress-relief offerings. Specific situations that spur anxiety, such as public speaking, flying, and visiting the doctor's office, are all addressed here. (iOS, Android, $9.99 per month).
Related: 10 of the Best Movies Ever Made About Mental Health
SuperBetter
You don't ever want anxiety to rule your life—and SuperBetter helps build your resilience against it. The app makes buoying your strength a game of sorts, noting that "everyone has heroic potential" to overcome "tough situations." (iOS, Android, free).
WorryWatch
Tracking your worries is a great first step to lessening their impact. This calming app for anxiety is more than a place to hash out your woes, as you can use the tools to understand the thought processes behind them. (iOS, free).
Headspace
Started by a Buddhist monk, Headspace is considered one of the best meditation apps around. The free version helps you visualize calming experiences, such as walking in a garden. You'll have access to meditation courses, too, if you upgrade to premium. The app's fans include business titan Richard Branson, actress Emma Watson, and the Seattle Seahawks. (iOS, Android, free for select content, $95 per year for full premium access).
Relax and Rest Guided Meditations
This app walks you through meditations focused on breathing and deep relaxation. No prior meditation experience is required, but those with experience will find plenty to enjoy as well. Choose from 5-minute, 13-minute, or 24-minute sessions. (iOS, Android, $1.99).
Calm
Sure, you've seen the LeBron James promo for this easy-to-use app, but did you know it offers calming stories for both adults and kids? It has three categories—meditation, music, and sleep. Relax to the soothing voice of Matthew McConaughey and others, plus learn lessons on mindful movement and stretching. (iOS, Android, $70 per year for full access).
Ten Percent Happier
This extensive app lets you choose from an array of guided meditation experiences that range from 3 minutes to 45 minutes long. It also offers paid courses for coaching. This is an Apple “Best of 2018” award winner. (iOS, Android, free for one session then $15 per month or $100 per year).
Breathe2Relax
Proper breathing is so important. It can help lower heart rate and blood pressure and get you through an actual panic attack. This app for anxiety teaches you how to use diaphragmatic breathing, which can combat the body’s stress responses—and leave you feeling much less freaked out. (iOS, Android, free).
Colorfy
This app is essentially an adult coloring book—yes, you read that right!—right on your own device. Choose from a variety of different images to color; you can even upload your own. Using this app can whisk your mind away from anxious thoughts and help alleviate stress. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Sleep Time
Our sleep habits can greatly impact our mood and well-being. This app is both a comprehensive sleep inducer and an alarm clock. It tracks your sleep time and sleep cycles, giving you a new understanding of how you rest best. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Pzizz
Want to listen to soothing dreamscapes and set a timer for them? This app's free version has limited dreamscapes; full access gives you advanced features to create your own mixes or dreamscapes. "Sleep at the push of a button," the app promises. (iOS, Android, $60 per year for full access).
Nature Sounds Relax and Sleep
Prefer gentle nature sounds as you slip into slumber? This app gives you all that, allowing you to empty your mind and get the best sleep possible. Features include timers and morning alarms. (iOs, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Noisli
Choose your own soundtrack of ambient noises for greater relaxation, concentration, and sleep. The app can help improve focus and boost productivity; it drowns out annoying background sounds. (iOS, Android, $1.99)
Slumber
This app helps put you to sleep, quite literally. Find tension-ridding, shuteye-inducing meditations, stories, and music here. "We believe a great day starts with a good night's sleep," says the team behind Slumber. (iOS, free for 10+ episodes, $40 a year for full access).
Related: 4 Mindfulness Apps to Help You Stay Calm
Talkspace
After you complete an assessment and choose a plan, the app connects you to a licensed mental health professional about stress, anxiety, bad habits, and more. Check to see if your insurance plan covers Talkspace's services. (iOS, Android, starts at $65 per week).
My Life Meditation
Formerly known as Stop, Breathe & Think, this app shares suggestions for meditations, yoga sequences, even acupressure to relieve the discomfort you're experiencing. You can track your progress over time, too, to understand anxiety and its triggers. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Smiling Mind
This app contains mindfulness programs for every age group. The adult program offers 10 modules of mindfulness training and guided meditations that develop attentiveness and intuition. There are also programs for the classroom, the workplace, and sports.(iOS, Android, free).
BetterHelp
“You deserve to be happy,” say the folks at BetterHelp—and therapists can help you get there. BetterHelp promises to match you with a counselor “who fits your objectives, preferences and the type of issues you are dealing with.” (iOS, Android, $40 per week).
ReGain
Designed for partners and couples, this app helps individuals address their relationship issues—and you'll get professional counseling from a licensed therapist. (iOS, Android, $40 a week).
What's Up?
Using cognitive behavioral therapy and other methods to help you cope with depression, anxiety, and stress. This app provides feedback on both good and bad habits and shares in-depth questions to pinpoint exactly what you’re feeling so you can fight off negative internal monologues. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases; $9.99 a month for premium, $58.99 a year).
MoodKit
Two clinical psychologists joined forces to create MoodKit, which helps users learn self-awareness and healthy attitudes. This app uses cognitive behavioral therapy foundations to provide you with 200 different mood activities. The app includes a journal feature for reflections as well. (iOS, $4.99).
LifeSum
On this app, you control goals you set yourself, which includes everything from healthier eating to walking plans each day. Roadmaps help you stay on track, and you'll get a personalized “life score” based on results. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Luminosity
Over 80 million people are using this app right now, which is branded as the original brain-training app. It has exercises in five cognitive areas: memory, problem-solving, flexibility, speed, and attention. The games are engaging, and this app is great for both adults and kids. (iOS, Android, free to download, $11.99 a month for premium; $59.99 per year).
MoodMission
MoodMission is all about "changing the way you feel." Each time you open it, you'll play different "missions" based on your mood. The missions can improve coping skills as well as your mood. (iOS, Android, free).
Related: 25 Mindfulness Exercises to Bring You Back to the Present Moment
Peak
Rated by Google as one of the best Android apps of 2016, this offers more than 30 mini games to help improve memory, mental agility, concentration, problem-solving, and language. Peak includes brain games that appeal to both adults and kids. (iOS, Android, free to download, $4.99 per month, $34.99 per year).
CogniFit
This app is designed to help you sharpen over 20 cognitive skills, including short-term memory, hand-eye coordination, planning, and auditory perception. It offers a healthy dose of fun along with mental stimulation. (iOS, Android, free to download, $19.99 a month for premium; $189.99 a year).
Next, read these 150 life quotes to help inspire you on your mental health wellness journey.
