7 Mental Health Apps To Try for 2022
Folks are more mindful now than ever before about their mental health and well-being. You can eat the healthiest diet, dedicate yourself to a regular exercise regimen, and get loads of sleep. But if you ignore your mental health, you’re not doing everything you can to feel your best. Still, finding time for regular mental health help isn’t always easy. That’s what makes these mental health apps so appealing. Let’s run down a few of the best for 2022.
Talkspace
There’s a lot to love about Talkspace, starting with the fact that it’s highly touted by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. This app connects you with a real mental health professional around the clock, 24/7/365. And as a bonus—most insurance plans are accepted. You can chat live with your therapist (and have the ability to switch therapists if one doesn’t work out) and also schedule a live video session.
Calm
Not ready for an in-person therapy session? If you’re just looking for something to help you manage your anxiety, Calm may be the answer. Calm delivers easy-to-follow meditation exercises tailored to the individual—on-demand. You can also try it first on a trial basis for a full week to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
Happify
Although its name is almost enough to cheer you up, Happify is an app that offers fun mood-boosting games to help you address issues such as mindfulness, career success, and even stress. Developed around cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and CBT concepts, this fun app seeks to make mental health care less of a chore and a whole lot more enjoyable.
Quit That!
If you have an addiction—drinking, drugs, smoking, so on—this app may help. Use it to track your habit so that you can see real-time statistics on the benefits of quitting, such as how much money you have saved, to help motivate you. As a bonus, this app is free.
Shine
An app that empowers the BIPOC community, Shine focuses on catering mental health services and support to Black, Indigenous, and persons of color. The app offers access to a bustling peer community, journaling and meditation exercises, and calming tools to use in times of crisis.
Headspace
Headspace is another meditation and mindfulness app available for a free trial and then by subscription. It empowers users with mindfulness techniques to help them reduce their daily stress levels. It also offers meditations for focus, body positivity, creativity, and work.
7 Cups
Licensed therapists and “trained listeners” power the 7 Cups app. This mental health app offers anonymous online therapy and emotional support for depressed or anxious users. Help from therapists and listeners is searchable by topic, including panic attacks, relationship breakups, eating disorders, and bullying, among others. Many features are free.
These apps are great tools to put into use when you can’t—for whatever reason—seek help in person or if you're looking to augment your current therapy. However, it’s important to note that you should dial 911 if you experience thoughts of suicide or self-harm or if you feel that you might hurt someone else. You can also reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741 to reach a volunteer crisis counselor.