Mental Health Apps

Mental health apps can be effective in making therapy more accessible, efficient, and portable. On this page is a selection of mental health apps which have been independently reviewed by PsyberGuide, a Project of One Mind. ADAA is excited to be partnering with PsyberGuide to share reviewed anxiety, depression and related apps that might be of interest to our community. PsyberGuide (PsyberGuide.org) is a non-profit project that aims to help people to use technology to live a mentally healthier life. PsyberGuide provides reviews of apps and other digital tools for mental health. PsyberGuide is funded by One Mind, and operates University of California, Irvine and at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.

Specially Selected Apps for ADAA:

Breathe2Relax
Catch It
Day To Day
Self-Help for Anxiety Management

Apps are reviewed on three metrics: Credibility, User Experience, and Data Transparency.

Credibility:

The Credibility Score is a measure of the research support and clinical expertise backing an app or digital tool. This measure aims to give users an idea of how likely it is that it will work and lead to mental health benefits.
Apps are scored based on the level of research support they have, the level of expert clinical input in their development, and how specific the intervention the app proposes is.

User Experience:

“User Experience”, sometimes referred to as just UX, is the overall experience of using an app in terms of how easy and engaging it is to use.
The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) is used to assess the quality of the user experience of apps on engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information.

Data Transparency:

Transparency scores relate to information regarding an apps’ data storage and collection policies and how readily available this information is to users. We believe that developers should be as transparent as possible with privacy information so that users can be fully informed of how their data is used and stored.

More information on these rating scales can be found on the PsyberGuide website

App Developers:

Interested in advertising your app on this page? Please email: Lise Bram
Interested in being reviewed by PsyberGuide? Please email: Martha Neary

App Developers:

Interested in advertising your app on this page? Please email: Lise Bram.
Interested in being reviewed by PsyberGuide? Please email: Martha Neary.

Click here to view all ADAA rated apps.

Mental Health Apps and ADAA - in the News:

02/17/2019: PsyberGuide Seeks to Provide Unbiased Reviews of Mental Health Apps, Digital Tools, WashingtonPost.com
06/15/2018: 7 Apps to Support Your Mental Health and Mindfulness, ABCNews.com
01/29/2018: The Best Wellness Apps On The Market Right Now, HelloMagazine.com
12/21/2017: Why Choosing a Mental Health App is Harder Than You Think, NBCNews.com, Stephen Schueller, PhD
10/16/2017: Mindfulness Apps Aim To Help People Disconnect From Stress, NPR.org
08/23/2017: Depressed but Can't see a Therapist? This Chatbot Could Help, Los Angeles Times
08/22/2017: New Technology Is Revolutionizing How We Treat Mental Health, Bustle
08/22/2017: Detecting Bipolar Episodes…with Your Phone, Care For Your Mind
07/12/2017 Feeling Depressed? These Apps Can Help, Or Get You Help, Android Central, Dr. Van Ameringen

Other App News:

From Apps to Avatars, New Tools for Taking Control of Your Mental Health, July 2018
With suicide rates on rise, can therapy apps like Talkspace, BetterHelp help?, USAToday.com, June 2018
Apple’s App of the Year Makes Sense If You've Been Paying Attention to the News, Slate.com, December 2017
Depression and Mental Health Apps: How to Tell the Good from the Bad, ABC.net, December 2017
New User-Friendly Apps Can Help Older Adults Manage Mental Issues, PsychCentral, August 2017
New Collection of Apps Can Reduce Depression and Anxiety by 50%, Hey Sigmund, January 2017
6 Apps Mental Health Professionals Rate Highly, Walden University, June 2017
Top 10 Most Innovative Apps for College Students, Studysoup.com

Disclaimer: ADAA does not recommend or endorse any clinicians, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website. Reliance on any information provided by ADAA, ADAA employees, others appearing on the website at the invitation of ADAA, or other visitors to the website is solely at your own risk.