3.3 Mental health apps
As our understanding of social media has increased, so has the development of apps that help us to monitor and improve our mental health. This area is an ever-expanding part of technology with new apps being developed all the time. These apps cover a range of topics, from those that help to monitor moods swings to those that teach mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Recently, there has been a move towards apps that have been developed with young people, so that their needs are central to the design and content. Research now suggests there is significant potential to improve the lives of young people who are experiencing depression via technology-based app based interventions. As the area changes so rapidly it is difficult to recommend any that will remain relevant in the future. Here we have listed some of the key ones that you may chose to explore in your own time. There will be others that you come across that you may also find useful.
- Hub of hope [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] : An app and online tool to help people with mental health needs to access patient groups, charities and other sources of support across the UK.
- Combined minds: For parents and friends who want to support a young person’s mental health.
- Mental health podcast list
Because apps are constantly changing and the evidence used to develop them is changing, it is hard for us to recommend any for specific use here. However, the NHS has an apps library list aswell as resources here, where they list those that have passed the NHS approval process.
It is also important to remember that for some young people it can provide an alternative form of support, for others it might address their need for support between their face-to-face appointments.