YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO SOME OF THE BEST (AND FREE) MENTAL HEALTH PHONE APPS
Technology is the greatest, isn’t it? It’s a wonderful tool that is both convenient and accessible. I love the idea of thought journaling to challenge irrational thinking, but the personal issue for me is lugging around the journal itself along with a pen. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a free, easily accessible tool to help you jot down thoughts when you needed to, that checked in with you on your daily feelings to help you track them, and maybe even offered deep breathing tools and other tips? Well, there are! This is your quick guide to tools to help when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and sad – and the best part is, they’re all F-R-E-E!
Please note: The mental health tools are not a replacement for mental health treatment. These are meant to be used in conjunction with therapy and are recommended only if you are already engaged in therapy. Additionally, this blog is for educational purposes and is not sponsored by any company for profit. Lastly, pricing and features were listed as of 1.25.23, and may have changed if you are reading this at a future date.
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Mental Health Phone Apps
Anxiety Reliever
Available on: Apple Store, Google Play
Cost: Free *full access for $8.99/month
Features:
· Tips – Guiding tips to decrease anxiety and stress.
· Sessions – Calming audio sessions to help cope with anxiety in real-time and fall asleep. Best used with headphones.
· Tracker – Daily tool to track anxiety with journaling, scaling questions, and voice memos.
· Breathe – Deep breathing tool.
More info: https://www.anxietyrelieverapp.com/
Mindshift
Available on: Apple Store, Google Play
Cost: Free *full access available for additional cost
Features:
· Daily Check-ins – Daily tool to track anxiety with scaling questions and journaling.
· Learn – Guides to learn about mental health symptoms.
· Goals – Set goals to help you identify where you want to go and the steps needed to get there.
· Tools – Deep breathing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, grounding, and more.
More info: https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/
Sanvello
Available on: Apple Store, Google Play
Cost: Free *full access available for additional cost
Features:
· Tools: Meditation, Guided Journeys, Log Thoughts, Goals, Health, Hope Board
· Community: Join discussions and chat groups to connect with others (optional).
More info: https://www.sanvello.com/
Yoga for Beginners
Available on: Apple Store, Google Play
Cost: Free *full access available for additional cost
Features:
· Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced yoga videos
· Track progress
More info: https://appadvice.com/app/yoga-for-beginners-mind-body/1382141225
Free Learning
The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County
1. Sign up for a library card (https://www.libraryvisit.org/our-happenings/library-card-services/)
2. Access Lynda through library website to gain access to thousands of video tutorials taught by experts (https://www.libraryvisit.org/blog/news/library-now-offers-lynda-com-learning-platform-free-to-cardholders/)
Library Now Offers Lynda.com Learning Platform – Free to Cardholders
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) is offering a free service which connects Library cardholders to the popular learning platform, Lynda.com. Library customers can get to the free Lynda.com offerings by using the PLYMC portal through a link on the LibraryVisit.org website. Look on the horizontal menu under “LEARN” for the link. Or use the link at the bottom of this article.
Library customers can learn anytime, day or night! Lynda.com is available online 24/7. The learning resource offers over 3,000 courses and 150,000 video tutorials taught by experts. Some available areas include: 3-D, animation, audio, business, design, home computing, photography, video, the web, technical skills, business techniques, creative skills, and more.
From the Lynda.com website: “Lynda.com leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Through individual, corporate, academic and government subscriptions, members have access to the lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts. For 20 years, lynda.com has helped students, leaders, IT and design pros, project managers—anyone in any role—build software, creative, and business skills. Now part of Linkedin, Lynda.com serves more than 10,000 organizations. With tutorials in five languages, Lynda.com is a global platform for success.”
Lynda.com is a paid service which is being provided free of charge to PLYMC cardholders through the Library’s website: LibraryVisit.org. Ohio residents who don’t have a card will find it easy to sign up. With a Digital Card, online offerings such as Lynda.com can be used without worry about fines or fees. Sign up from home for a Digital Card at: https://www.libraryvisit.org/librarycard
Lynda.com portal for PLYMC cardholders:
https://www.lynda.com/portal/patron?org=libraryvisit.org
3. Also check out other resources under “LEARN” on the library website, including “Online Tutorials”, “Universal Class”, “Learning Express Library”, etc.
Duolingo
Available on: Apple Store, Google Play
Cost: Free *full access available for additional cost
Features:
· Learn a new language in an interactive way
More info: https://www.duolingo.com/
Habit Tracker
Available on: Apple Story
Cost: Free *full access available for additional cost
Features:
· Reminders and ability to track habits with stats and notes
· Analyze habits with charts
· Collaborate with others to remind and encourage each other
More info: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/habit-tracker/id1438388363
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Hope you found this list helpful. Remember – success is made up of small efforts practiced day in and day out. That’s all for now, have a Mindful day!
Kristyn Macala, MSEd, LPCC, CCTP, CSOTP
