Apps for mental health
Annual referrals to young people’s mental health services has risen by an average of 50 per cent each year since 2019, meaning many young people are being left with a long wait for support for mental health conditions.
Apps appeal because they are available 24/7 and, as one parent said: ‘No one wants to think that their child is sad and lonely; it is a friend in their pocket for the times you can’t be there.’
They can serve a purpose, but it is important to understand there may be little regulation, testing or research about their efficacy. In theory, anyone can create an app and put it on the iTunes or Google store. In addition apps come and go from the market rapidly. The profits are low unless there are bulk sales and while many people download a free or low-cost app, they may never open it up. Comparison sites such as onemindpsyberguide.org provide some peer reviews and statistics on usage.
Childline has discontinued its app, but is present on social media (facebook, instagram) and is a private and confidential service for all young people under 19. It includes a downloadable mental health first aid kit, which includes techniques for calming, distracting and monitoring moods, as well as links to CAMHS professionals.
Mind Moose (https://www.mindmoose.co.uk) is a web app. Children go on a journey of discovery with Mind Moose and his animal friends. They explore more about themselves and different coping mechanisms so that in times of stress they know what helps them relax and what makes them feel happy. Nick Parsons, pastoral co-ordinator, Pennthorpe School said: ‘We have found Mind Moose to be incredibly beneficial to us in supporting our pupils’ personal development. The online journey that the children follow is fun and interesting and helps us to track our pupils’ well-being.’
The app draws on different elements of psychology to help to develop character, resilience and self-confidence. One parent commented: ‘Mind Moose was a gentle but effective way to get our son to stand back and reflect on what he was getting out of the key relationships in his life. This gave him the insight and the courage to choose his friends more wisely. We think this was a pivotal part of helping him start to rebuild his self-esteem.’
These apps are popular and are becoming widely used in schools. However, they will not meet every child’s needs. There is an increasing emphasis on developing children’s resilience, moving them on from being a ’worrier’ to being a ’warrior’ and apps have a role to play here.
It is probably wise to focus apps which deal with specific issues or states of mind rather than generalised wellbeing apps.
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Tootoot is an app and online platform providing 24-hour support to young people who are victims of bullying and online abuse. It gives students an alternative way to disclose their concerns when they are unable to do so face-to-face. Hannah Plews, head of peer mentoring at Oldham Hulme Grammar School, said: ‘Tootoot is helping us uncover issues before they are left to fester and turn into bigger problems. For example, there is a lot of anxiety around Year 7 transitioning to senior school.’ Now includes a staff wellbeing function too.
Generalised Anxiety
Chillpanda: Measures heart rate and uses recognised techniques: yoga, breathing and light exercise to de-stress. Designed for ages 6-8. http://chillpanda.co.uk/
eQuoo: Digital adventure games designed by psychologists for schools and students to address wellbeing and emotional fitness. Aims to reduce anxiety, build resilience and interpersonal skills. Android and Apple
Mindshift provides evidence based strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to relieve stress and provide a personal guide to happiness. Helps the user to identify and plan for situations that cause anxiety. Includes detailed information on perfectionism, worry, test and performance anxiety, social fears and panic. Suitable for young people 12+. Android and Apple
Headspace A science based app to practise mindfulness and meditation, packed with resources to build resilience, improve wellbeing and help sleep. Android and Apple
Moodgym: an interactive tool for depression and anxiety based on CBT and presented as a training in a self-help workbook. https://www.moodgym.com.au/
OCD, Addiction and Eating Disorder
NOCD Using both Mindfulness and Exposure Response Prevent treatment, this app contains immediate guidance for an episode as well as monitoring conditions longer term. Android
Recovery Record An app for people (12+) recovering from eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, excessive eating disorder, binge eating and ARFID. Android and Apple
Wellmind App to improve mental health and wellbeing, through digital drug-free treatments; commissioned by the NHS. Functions to help monitor mood, get crisis help and use relaxation audio tracks. Android
Depression
SAM (Self-help for Anxiety Management) an online tool to manage depression, anxiety, mood swings and loneliness through self-help techniques. Android and Apple
Sorted: mental health App uses audio tracks to encourage positive thinking , energy and build confidence. Now with tracks to help sleep difficulties. https://www.sortedmentalhealth.app/
MoodTools Questionnaire, videos on guided meditations, soothing sounds and TED talks focusing on aspects of depression. A comprehensive section on through records and how to make them. 12+ https://moodtools.org/
Self Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
Calm Harm Developed by a clinical psychologist in collaboration with young people, this app uses a variety of techniques such as distraction, self-expression or breathing to diminish the urge to self-harm. https://calmharm.stem4.org.uk/
BlueIce App helps young people with emotional regulation and reduces the urge to self-harm. Includes a mood diary, a toolbox of evidence-based techniques and automatic routing to emergency numbers. Android and Apple
Stay Alive Quick access to UK national crisis support helplines for those who are having thoughts of suicide or who are concerned about someone else. A Lifebox allowing a user to upload photos from their phone to remind them of reasons to stay alive. Android and Apple
Online Communities
Togetherall A safe community, monitored by clinicians and health professionals providing a platform for peer to peer support for mental health needs. Provides courses, resources and online assessments, recognised by NHS. https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
Meetwo Meetwo is a social media community for teens and young people, which is confidential, anonymous and free. The app encourages youngsters to share their worries and experiences within a community of peers and contains a wealth of professional advice about growing up and mental health. Each post is checked by a real person, not a Bot, and checked for suitability; approved by the NHS. Android and Apple
Anxiety United A social network to share experiences, gain information on a range of conditions and free resource centre. https://anxietyunited.com/
Apps will never replace professional support for young people with poor mental health issues but they can reach some people who are not likely to engage with are waiting for over-stretched mental health services or those who have difficulty engaging. For example, young men have a higher suicide risk; they are often reluctant to seek help and may go down the road of drugs and alcohol, a form of self-medication which masks their problems.
Perhaps most importantly, apps can be carried in your pocket, offer privacy and give the individual a measure of control. One app review on the iTunes app store said: ‘This weekend I found the online support list and the keeping safe for now section helpful, it made me feel less lonely. Unlike so many mental health apps yours is not patronising and doesn’t claim to ’fix’ anyone. No app will ever be able to fix me but yours kept me company during a very long, dark weekend.’
