Mental Health Apps

Mental Health Apps have a range of potential benefits that make them appealing to many people. They are convenient and accessible and can be a great resource for people who are looking for an efficient, affordable way to learn more about therapeutic tools and supplement their own therapy.

BU offers the app, Headspace free of charge to BU employees.  It offers guided meditation and other practices for cultivating mindfulness and mental well-being.

A Few Other Mental Health Apps That We Recommend

Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM) is an app for individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety. It provides users with a symptom tracker, psychoeducation, relaxation strategies and additional coping skills and tools for managing anxiety. SAM also includes a “Social Cloud,” a closed social networking function that allows users to share experiences, suggestions, and support. The app is free. The technology is basic so a great option for someone who likes to keep it simple.

Sanvello is and app that offers resources for self-care and self-management, peer support, coaching, and therapy. The app includes everything from journaling and mood tracking (enhanced by integration with wearable like the Apple watch). Although the premium version costs $8.99 a month, much of the content is available for free. app’s costs are covered by numerous insurance companies and employers. Insomnia Coach Insomnia Coach is a free and publicly available mobile app to help you learn about insomnia and normal sleep, develop good sleep habits and get rid of habits that interfere with sleep. Insomnia Coach can be used as a stand-alone education and self-care tool, or as a supplement to professional mental health care. This app is based upon scientific research about how people can change their behaviors and thoughts to improve their sleep.

CBT-i Coach – Through the Veteran Administration’s National Center for PTSD

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for treating insomnia. CBT-i Coach is a mobile app for people who are engaged in CBT-I with a health provider, or who have experienced symptoms of insomnia and would like to improve their sleep habits. It features education about CBT-i and how sleep works and tips to help develop positive sleep routines and improve sleep environments. CBT-i Coach is intended to be used alongside face-to-face care with a healthcare professional. CBT-i Coach can be used on its own, but it is not intended to replace therapy.

Insomnia Coach – Through the Veteran Administration’s National Center for PTSD

Insomnia Coach can be used as a stand-alone education and self-care tool, or as a supplement to professional mental health care, to help manage insomnia. It is not intended to replace therapy. The app is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This app is based upon scientific research about how people can change their behaviors and thoughts to improve their sleep.  

Healthy Minds Innovation – The free Healthy Minds Program uses neuroscience, contemplative traditions, and skill-based learning methods to help you develop the skills for a healthy mind. Translating pioneering neuroscience into tools for everyday life, our unique framework guides you through the four pillars of the science of training the mind: Awareness, Connection, Insight and Purpose.