Useful Apps

Support for you or someone else to support and maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

Breathe2Relax

Sometimes all we need to de-stress is take a few deep breaths. Created by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, this app teaches users how to do diaphragmatic breathing. Features include educational videos on the stress response, logs to record stress levels, and customisable guided breathing sessions. (Free: iOS and Android.)

SAM

How do you know what’s pushing you over the edge and how to reel yourself back in? SAM’s approach is to monitor anxious thoughts, track behaviour over time, and use guided self-help exercises to discourage stress. SAM takes it to the next level by offering a ‘social cloud’ feature that allows users to confidentially share their progress with an online community for added support. (Free: iOS and Android.)

Happify

Want to kick negative thoughts, nix worry, and dial down stress? The array of engaging games, activity suggestions, and gratitude prompts makes Happify a useful shortcut to a good mood. Designed with input from 18 health and happiness experts, Happify’s positive mood-training program is psychologist approved. Even cooler? Its website links to bonus videos that are sure to make you smile. (Free: iOS and Android.)

MindShift

This straightforward stress management tool helps users re-think what’s stressing them out through a variety of on-screen prompts. At the same time, the app encourages new ways to take charge of anxiety and tune into body signals. (Free: iOS and Android.)