Mental health is an important issue that can go unnoticed in tweens and teens. If your child is in crisis, it’s important to seek professional help. In this digital age, phones also provide a supplemental resource for teens to get help. Besides general health apps, there are several apps that focus on mental health. Here are five apps that help teens with mental health (along with professional help) by helping them cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.
Calm
Named Apple’s 2017 App of the Year, Calm helps users with mindfulness and meditation. The app aims to bring more clarity, joy and peace to your daily life. The app includes guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs and relaxing music. Calm also has a “Calm Kids” section in the app where younger kids can learn calming techniques.
Pacifica 
Pacifica helps teens break the cycle of ongoing negative thoughts. It does this by using tools that target stress, anxiety, and depression. The app consists of psychologist-designed tools based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness meditation, relaxation and mood/health tracking. Pacifica also has a paid option that allows users to work with a mental health professional through the app.
Calm Harm
Calm Harm provides tasks to help users resist or manage the urge to self-harm. The app contains five categories to help you fight the urge to self-harm. Each category includes five to 15 minute activities. These activities turn users’ attention to healthier ways to handle emotions and impulses.
My3 – Support Network
My3 is a crisis support app for people who have suicidal thoughts. The app features a contact list to call in case of emergencies. The list includes three of the user’s trusted contacts, 911 and the National Suicide Hotline. My3 also includes a safety plan which lists coping strategies and distractions. It’s one of the best apps that help teens with mental health struggles that include suicidal ideation.
MoodPath: Depression & Anxiety
MoodPath helps teens to detect symptoms of depression. Three times a day, users receive a question about their emotional well-being. After two weeks, users will receive a professional assessment. They can then share that assessment with their healthcare professional.
If you believe your child is suffering from a mental illness, please seek out professional help for them immediately. These apps are meant to be used as a supplement with professional help and not as a substitute.
Text by Kendal Harris
