Mental health apps can seem like a strange concept to some. Many have questioned how helpful your phone can actually be when it comes to managing the large variety of mental health struggles. What many have found, however, is that the many mental health support apps out there have helped users stay on track and feel relaxed while on the road to recovery.
If you or someone you know is looking to dive into the digital world for additional help, we’ve compiled a list of the best mental health apps.
What is covered in this article
Keep scrolling to learn about the best apps that help with mental health. If you’re looking to better understand your current experiences first, check out our 18 best mood tracker apps.
Apps to help deal with depression (7)
Depression is a common mental illness, making awareness and help around it especially important. If you or someone you know needs help with depression, here are our top 7 apps. If you want to expand your search, you can also check out the 14 best depression apps.
1. Depression CBT Self-Help Guide
Download It Now: Android
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Educational tools that teach users about self-care.
Depression CBT Self-Help Guide helps users learn how to best manage their symptoms while improving their mood.
2. MoodTools
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: A mood tracking for users to evaluate the severity of their depression.
MoodTools allows you to improve your mood while on the road to recovering from depression.
3. CBT Thought Diary
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, subscriptions available
Best Feature: A dual mood and thought tracker for users to better understand their feelings.
CBT Thought Diary allows users to easily record their thoughts wherever they are, and better prepare for a brighter future.
4. InnerHour
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, in-app purchases available
Best Feature: Courses that teach coping tools specific to the user’s situation.
InnerHour gives users the tools to help them improve their lives in their areas of focus.
5. SuperBetter
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Challenges that will help users feel good.
SuperBetter makes building resilience and optimism fun by introducing a gamified approach to self-care.
6. What’s Up?
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, ability to donate in-app available
Best Feature: Coping tools specifically geared towards the user’s situation.
What’s Up? allows users to get help coping with their personal experiences whenever they need it.
7. notOK
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: A large red button that, when tapped, alerts pre-programmed contacts that the user would like emotional support.
notOK allows users to notify their family and friends when they need support from those that care.
Apps to help manage addictions (7)
For those struggling with addiction, this can have a big impact on the way their brain functions. For help overcoming addictions and poor habits, check out the 7 apps below. If you’d like more options, check out the 11 best addiction recovery apps.
1. LetGOH
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, premium subscriptions available
Best Feature: Tools to help users quite or reduce their addictions.
Whatever addictions you might be struggling with, LetGOH is a great app that helps you take care of your mental health while on the road to recovery.
2. Nomo
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: A sobriety count and encouragement wall to help users feel motivated.
Nomo is a recovery app with features based on community feedback, resulting in the ultimate tool for those overcoming their addictions.
3. I Am Sober
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, in-app purchases available
Best Feature: Ability to interact with others going through similar struggles.
I Am Sober helps users achieve sobriety with the help of a community of people experiencing the same struggles.
4. Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Advice and guidance to help motivate users on the road to recovery.
Twenty-Four Hours a Day is a collection of thoughts, meditations, and prayers to help you fight addiction. It’s based on a popular book of the same name.
5. SoberTool
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Prompts that help users deal with their cravings and prevent relapse.
SoberTool helps users fight against the urge to relapse with helpful messages and rewards.
6. 12 Steps AA Companion
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $2.99
Best Feature: A complete copy of The Big Book for review on-the-go.
12 Steps is the ideal app for AA members who need help tracking their path to sobriety. It includes all the tools to help you do so.
7. Quit That!
Download It Now: iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Detailed sobriety and money-saving counters to motivate users.
Quit That! is an easy-to-use app that provides you with a time tracker for any habit you’re trying to quit.
Apps that allow you to talk to real mental health professionals (7)
For those that are struggling, there are many benefits to seeking out therapy. If you’re ready to do so from your phone, here are the top 7 apps. A few other options can also be found in the 10 best therapy apps.
1. BetterHelp
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $40-$70/week
Best Feature: Ability to match with a wide-range of therapists and counselors that are specialized in the users’ specific needs.
BetterHelp is one of the top apps for giving you access to professional help whenever and wherever you need it.
2. Talkspace
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $65/week for individuals, $99/week for couples
Best Feature: Multiple methods of communication, including live messaging and video chat.
Talkspace is one of the most popular counseling apps, allowing users to easily connect with their therapist from their device.
3. 7 Cups
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free to chat, $150/month for licensed therapy
Best Feature: Various chat options with other like-minded users before switching to a counselor.
7 Cups allows users to speak to supporters anonymously when they need it most.
4. Teen Counseling
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $40-$70/week
Best Feature: A wide variety of counselors that are easily accessible through multiple methods.
TeenCounseling allows teens from ages 13-19 to easily connect with an online therapist.
5. Pride Counseling
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $35/week
Best Feature: Connects users to therapists who specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride Counseling helps members of the LGBTQ+ community find the help they need without fear of judgement.
6. rTribe
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $37.50-$99/week
Best Feature: 2-in-1 counseling and community bonding.
rTribe makes connections a top factor in recovery. It allows users to easily access counselors, while at the same time immersing themselves in a community of people with similar struggles.
7. Larkr
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $85/50-minute session
Best Feature: Helps users connect to local therapists wherever and whenever using video chat.
Larkr allows users to easily connect with licensed therapists through video chat.
Top apps for reducing anxiety and helping you stay calm (7)
As we navigate through the highs and lows of life, it’s important to know how to calm anxiety when it arises. For help from your phone, here are our top 7 apps. You can also expand your search by checking out the 13 best apps to help with anxiety.
1. Clear Fear
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Fun activities geared towards helping users cope.
Clear Fear helps users get to the root of their anxiety in order to overcome it.
2. Dare – Break Free from Anxiety
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $9.99/month, in-app purchases available
Best Feature: Can be accessed on-the-go for effective stress management.
DARE is an app full of audio programs designed to help users overcome anxiety, panic attacks, worry, and insomnia.
3. Rootd
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free; full access for $6.99/month, $59.99/year, or $139.99 lifetime
Best Feature: Tools to specifically help with anxiety and panic.
Rootd is an empowering app that will help users who struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.
4. Self-help for Anxiety Management (SAM)
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: A thought monitor and exercises to help manage anxiety.
SAM allows users to take control of their anxiety while letting them bond with a community of people with similar experiences.
5. MindShift CBT
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Relaxation and mindfulness tools to help users improve their thinking patterns.
MindShift CBT provides users with the tools they need to overcome their anxiety and feel more relaxed.
6. Anxiety Reliever
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, subscription upgrades available for $8.99/month or $48.99/year
Best Feature: Audio recordings and guides to help users cope after encountering stressful situations.
Anxiety Reliever is the ultimate app with helpful tools for users in need of some relaxation after encountering stressful situations.
7. Brain.fm
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, subscriptions available for $6.99/month or $49.99/year
Best Feature: AI-generated music that helps users relax, focus, sleep, and more.
Brain.fm is a music app designed to help users calm their minds with AI-generated sounds.
Best apps for managing stress and general well-being (7)
As living beings, it’s important to acknowledge that we all experience stress and how it impacts our health. These are our top 7 apps for managing stress. You can also discover more options by checking out the 12 best stress apps.
1. Moodfit
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, premium subscriptions available
Best Feature: Mood tracking that provides insights on users’ causes of stress.
Moodfit gives users insights and techniques to help them improve their mood.
2. Happify
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free; subscription upgrades available for $14.99/month, $139.99/year, or $449.99 lifetime
Best Feature: Activities and games that help users feel better.
Happify gives users the tools to help them improve their thoughts and feelings.
3. Breathe2Relax
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: A guided breathing tool that helps users to relax.
Breathe2Relax helps users learn to reduce stress and feel more relaxed.
4. Welltory
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, in-app purchases available
Best Feature: Trackers for stress, energy, and productivity levels.
Welltory helps users manage their stress and energy levels by checking their heart rate.
5. Personal Zen
Download It Now: iOS
Cost: $1.99/month or $12.99/year
Best Feature: A game designed to relax and build resiliency.
Personal Zen lets users have fun while lowering their stress and anxiety levels.
6. Stretch & Flexibility at Home
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, subscriptions available for $6.99/month or $26.99/year
Best Feature: Daily exercises designed to help users feel good and relieve stress.
Stretch & Flexibility at Home helps users combat stress with stretching exercises right at home.
7. StressScan
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Best Feature: Heart-monitoring technology using users’ phone cameras to track stress levels.
StressScan allows users to easily check their stress levels using their finger.
Those are our top mental health care apps. We hope you are able to find one that helps you feel better. If you would like to learn about more apps, check out our 13 apps for managing mental health disorders: eating, PTSD, OCD, and more, as well as our 7 best suicide prevention apps.
Remember, if you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
