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Home Psychology 9 Best Mental Health Apps: Your Detailed Guide

9 Best Mental Health Apps: Your Detailed Guide

hands holding mental health illustration in a session
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Finding ways to improve your mental health is important.

Some people might prefer to document their personal journey. Apps are very easy to use and give you everything in one space, from therapy guidance to relaxation techniques.

Having this assistant on your phone may give you the confidence to seek further help. You could even complete evaluation tests that determine anxiety, depression, and stress levels.

Not everyone feels comfortable seeing a therapist, which is why you should find an app that works for your needs. Do you want to know some of the best applications and how they operate?

If you do, then keep on reading this article to discover the best 9 mental health apps.

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sensa
calm_logo
Talkspace app logo
sanvello app logo
eMoods app logo
Moodily app logo
Youper app logo
Liberate My OCD Fighter logo app
Recovery Record app
4.7 / 5
stars
3.5 / 5
stars
4.4 / 5
stars
4.2 / 5
stars
4.1 / 5
stars
4 / 5
stars
4 / 5
stars
3.9 / 5
stars
3.8 / 5
stars

You can take control of your thoughts, emotions, and decisions

Sensa allows people to pace out their mental health journey

A mood journal helps you keep track of your feelings

Assessments that track the progress of your mental state

The 84-day plan offers lots of educational content

Daily activities of mindfulness and relaxation

Meditation techniques that help you feel calmer

The app contains real-life visuals and sounds

Several mood trackers that document your progress

Sleep stories that have been recorded by celebrities

Exclusive music for sleep and relaxation

You get online therapy services

Provides a comfortable environment for people to express their concerns and emotions

Text-based sessions that give you more freedom

Helps manage mental health concerns like anxiety, addiction, and depression

Aims to teach people important life skills for their mental health

Journaling tools help you document your feelings and thoughts

Educational articles about managing stress and anxiety

Chat groups comprise discussion boards

eMoods helps people with bipolar disorder manage their moods and depressive thoughts

You can complete daily entries to document your symptoms

People can send printable reports to their doctors

Graphs that reveal insightful revelations about your moods

Shareable reports about mood changes and common triggers

Moodily is suitable for those who want to track their daily moods

You get a visual of how your feelings look each month

Several activities give you a better understanding of your mental health concerns

Take daily notes to express your thoughts

Therapists and behavior coaches can offer you the right treatment

Weekly sessions that keep you on track with medication and health goals

24/7 chat for extra support

Live video sessions with people who listen to your mental health problems

Designed to help people manage their compulsions and thoughts

Diary entries that help you document your emotions

Add goals to fight anxiety and control OCD

Logs that track compulsions and give you specific tips and tricks

Thought graphs for analyzing the workings behind your thought process

You can log meals, emotions, and behaviors

Educational content that guides you through any mental health concerns

Motivational quotes to keep you on track

A mental health professional can receive your eating data

Options to set goals ahead of eating meals

People instantly get personalized learning plans
You can choose from 3 subscriptions
Daily lessons only take around 10min to complete
The guidance offers self-learning techniques
A quick-relief option provides support during stressful days
Lots of reading material and resources
Calm has an easy-to-use interface
The creators regularly update this app
You get a 7-day free trial before joining premium
There are daily reminders for tracking your moods and thoughts
Includes content for both children and older adults
People get constant opportunities to share their thoughts
The subscription plans are flexible
You can gain access to couples therapy
There are medication management services
Talkspace has a user-friendly interface and sign-up page
You get free access to a range of tools
The app connects you directly with professionals
Pricing is budget-friendly for those who don’t want a long subscription
There is mutual support among users of this application
There are reminders to take your medication
Safety plan that picks up on warning signs
Available to use on both your phone and desktop web browsers
Easy interface for people who may not use mobile applications often
The tools are very simple and easy to follow
Emojis give the app a more friendly, light-hearted aspect
100% free application
Great for those who may have depression, anxiety, or mood swings
Very easy to navigate
Can accept insurance plans
The AI bot is great for guiding you through several CBT activities
Lots of learning exercises that teach you more about your mental and physical health
The app has a safety warning that asks if you’re okay
It contains several exercises that help you work through psychological issues
A completely free application
The interface is simple and aesthetically pleasing
Focuses on eating patterns rather than weight and calories
Budget-friendly for users
Food logs have gentle reminders
The quotes help people continue their journey
Educational content is more realistic and safe than other dietary apps
No free trials
The content might be overwhelming at first glance
The sleep stories can be too long
You can’t add friends on the application
Nature sounds might be distracting
Calm has limited offerings
The live sessions are only 30 minutes long
Talkspace has age restrictions
You can’t do group counselling
Some people might not enjoy speaking over text message
Some of the health coaches don’t respond straight away
There aren’t many insurance options
The app is only suitable for beginner meditators
This app doesn’t offer much customization
You have to get a subscription when accessing the full version
Each mood rating feels one-dimensional and doesn’t have many options
There aren’t many moods to choose from when documenting your mental health
This app often faces lots of bugs and crashes
Moodily doesn’t have reminders or notifications
You can only do one activity per day
There isn’t a free version of this app
Can crash or leave users with a white screen
Therapy is extremely limited and may only be offered in Texas
The tools might seem complex for some people
Setting up the app could cause OCD triggers
Reviews state crashing issues are a regular occurrence
Clinicians have to set up their own accounts to see your data
The app doesn’t have enough customization
Brand
sensa
calm_logo
Talkspace app logo
sanvello app logo
eMoods app logo
Moodily app logo
Youper app logo
Liberate My OCD Fighter logo app
Recovery Record app
Rating
4.7 / 5
stars
3.5 / 5
stars
4.4 / 5
stars
4.2 / 5
stars
4.1 / 5
stars
4 / 5
stars
4 / 5
stars
3.9 / 5
stars
3.8 / 5
stars
Product info

You can take control of your thoughts, emotions, and decisions

Sensa allows people to pace out their mental health journey

A mood journal helps you keep track of your feelings

Assessments that track the progress of your mental state

The 84-day plan offers lots of educational content

Daily activities of mindfulness and relaxation

Meditation techniques that help you feel calmer

The app contains real-life visuals and sounds

Several mood trackers that document your progress

Sleep stories that have been recorded by celebrities

Exclusive music for sleep and relaxation

You get online therapy services

Provides a comfortable environment for people to express their concerns and emotions

Text-based sessions that give you more freedom

Helps manage mental health concerns like anxiety, addiction, and depression

Aims to teach people important life skills for their mental health

Journaling tools help you document your feelings and thoughts

Educational articles about managing stress and anxiety

Chat groups comprise discussion boards

eMoods helps people with bipolar disorder manage their moods and depressive thoughts

You can complete daily entries to document your symptoms

People can send printable reports to their doctors

Graphs that reveal insightful revelations about your moods

Shareable reports about mood changes and common triggers

Moodily is suitable for those who want to track their daily moods

You get a visual of how your feelings look each month

Several activities give you a better understanding of your mental health concerns

Take daily notes to express your thoughts

Therapists and behavior coaches can offer you the right treatment

Weekly sessions that keep you on track with medication and health goals

24/7 chat for extra support

Live video sessions with people who listen to your mental health problems

Designed to help people manage their compulsions and thoughts

Diary entries that help you document your emotions

Add goals to fight anxiety and control OCD

Logs that track compulsions and give you specific tips and tricks

Thought graphs for analyzing the workings behind your thought process

You can log meals, emotions, and behaviors

Educational content that guides you through any mental health concerns

Motivational quotes to keep you on track

A mental health professional can receive your eating data

Options to set goals ahead of eating meals

Pros
People instantly get personalized learning plans
You can choose from 3 subscriptions
Daily lessons only take around 10min to complete
The guidance offers self-learning techniques
A quick-relief option provides support during stressful days
Lots of reading material and resources
Calm has an easy-to-use interface
The creators regularly update this app
You get a 7-day free trial before joining premium
There are daily reminders for tracking your moods and thoughts
Includes content for both children and older adults
People get constant opportunities to share their thoughts
The subscription plans are flexible
You can gain access to couples therapy
There are medication management services
Talkspace has a user-friendly interface and sign-up page
You get free access to a range of tools
The app connects you directly with professionals
Pricing is budget-friendly for those who don’t want a long subscription
There is mutual support among users of this application
There are reminders to take your medication
Safety plan that picks up on warning signs
Available to use on both your phone and desktop web browsers
Easy interface for people who may not use mobile applications often
The tools are very simple and easy to follow
Emojis give the app a more friendly, light-hearted aspect
100% free application
Great for those who may have depression, anxiety, or mood swings
Very easy to navigate
Can accept insurance plans
The AI bot is great for guiding you through several CBT activities
Lots of learning exercises that teach you more about your mental and physical health
The app has a safety warning that asks if you’re okay
It contains several exercises that help you work through psychological issues
A completely free application
The interface is simple and aesthetically pleasing
Focuses on eating patterns rather than weight and calories
Budget-friendly for users
Food logs have gentle reminders
The quotes help people continue their journey
Educational content is more realistic and safe than other dietary apps
Cons
No free trials
The content might be overwhelming at first glance
The sleep stories can be too long
You can’t add friends on the application
Nature sounds might be distracting
Calm has limited offerings
The live sessions are only 30 minutes long
Talkspace has age restrictions
You can’t do group counselling
Some people might not enjoy speaking over text message
Some of the health coaches don’t respond straight away
There aren’t many insurance options
The app is only suitable for beginner meditators
This app doesn’t offer much customization
You have to get a subscription when accessing the full version
Each mood rating feels one-dimensional and doesn’t have many options
There aren’t many moods to choose from when documenting your mental health
This app often faces lots of bugs and crashes
Moodily doesn’t have reminders or notifications
You can only do one activity per day
There isn’t a free version of this app
Can crash or leave users with a white screen
Therapy is extremely limited and may only be offered in Texas
The tools might seem complex for some people
Setting up the app could cause OCD triggers
Reviews state crashing issues are a regular occurrence
Clinicians have to set up their own accounts to see your data
The app doesn’t have enough customization

9 Best Mental Health Apps: Find the Best One for Your Needs

There are plenty of mental health apps that connect you with mental health professionals. You can express negative thoughts and find the best self-care techniques. If you don’t like traditional therapy methods, mobile applications may be a suitable start for documenting your moods. 

Let’s take a look at the top 9 mental health apps:

#1 Sensa – Best overall

Sensa Health logo
Sensa Health – find your inner peace
  • Mood journal to build conscious, reflective habits for better self-monitoring
  • Self-management lessons that are scheduled and explored by you (the user)
  • Regular activities to help you maintain healthy habits and mental well-being
  • Tips, strategies, and other resources for self-education
Our Rating:
stars
4.7

Sensa is one of the most effective mental health apps in today’s market. This mobile application offers never-ending therapy techniques that help you express any negative thoughts. The creators wanted to make a mental health assistant for those struggling to build healthy habits.

Once you sign up for the app, you can find cognitive behavioral therapy tools that improve mental health conditions. Certain exercises change your thinking patterns and pull people out of a continuous cycle, leading to better mental health management in the long term. 

There are also self-paced lessons, daily activities, mood journals, and weekly assessments that dive into your emotional triggers. One day, you might do something that makes you feel anxious, which gives Sensa the chance to understand your stressors and help you identify them. 

Let’s take a look at a few pros and cons of Sensa:

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Contains a plan that offers more content on various CBT-related techniques
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An easy mood journal is great for tracking your progress
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The daily activities can help you practice mindfulness
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Lots of educational mental health resources
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Quick exercises for people who regularly experience panic attacks
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Assessments keep you aware of anxiety, depression, or stress changes
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No free trials
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The content may be intimidating at first

#2 Calm – Best for sleep

Calm is a great mental health app that can help you sleep, even when you’re dealing with persistent anxiety. The main goal of this app is to improve your overall health and happiness. That could be done through meditation techniques that use calming real-life nature sounds.

The app also contains mood trackers, exclusive relaxation music, and sleep stories voiced by celebrities. Some people might want to sit back and listen to Harry Styles talk about life. You can find plenty of options that promote self-improvement and realistic mental health care. 

Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of Calm: 

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The creators regularly update the app’s features
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Daily reminders that keep you on track with mood changes
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You get a 7-day free trial before accessing premium tools
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Calm is easy to navigate for all users
cross
Some of the sleep stories are too long
cross
Audio sounds might be distracting
cross
You can’t share any updates with friends

#3 Talkspace – Best for therapy

Talkspace provides online therapy sessions that encourage you to overcome negative thoughts. Some people might not feel comfortable speaking to a therapist in person, so doing it over a text is a much better option. As the name suggests, this is a space where you can talk freely. 

You can also use this mental health app to manage concerns associated with anxiety, addiction, and depression. For example, you might arrange to speak with a licensed provider who can offer medication management services and treatment that will provide stress relief. 

Here are some pros and cons of using Talkspace:

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There are other types of therapy for couples
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You can constantly share your thoughts and feelings
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No commuting or hassle with scheduling
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Has a user-friendly interface
cross
Some of the live sessions only last 30 minutes
cross
People under the age of 13 can’t join
cross
There aren’t any group counseling opportunities
cross
It might not feel personal when using text messages

#4 Sanvello – Best for anxiety relief

People who suffer from anxiety and procrastination can download the Sanvello app. It contains journaling tools that help you document your thoughts and feelings. There are also educational articles regarding stress management and common breathing exercises.

This mental health app aims to teach people important life skills. For example, you might learn how to reflect on past experiences and take away valuable messages. You can simply connect with a mental wellness coach or enter online chat groups that comprise discussion boards.

Have a look at some of the pros and cons:

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You gain free access to a range of features
checkmark
The app connects you with a mental health professional
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People have mutual support for this application
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Pricing is low compared to other mental health apps
cross
Sanvello doesn’t offer many insurance plans
cross
Features might only be suitable for beginner meditators
cross
The health coaches don’t respond quickly

#5 eMoods – Best for bipolar disorder

eMoods is specifically designed for people who have bipolar disorder (BD). This mental health app is all about documenting your symptoms and sharing those printable reports with a doctor. You can also show them graphs that reveal insightful knowledge about your daily moods.

The creators wanted people to log mood data, including sleep patterns, medications, and triggers. From there, you can identify specific things that set off your moods. Many mental health apps forget about triggering factors, which makes eMoods stand out among other competitors. 

Let’s evaluate some of the pros and cons of eMoods:

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Shareable reports about your most common triggers
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Daily reminders to take the right medication
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eMoods picks up on any mental health warning signs
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Available to use on both phones and computers
cross
You can’t customize many features
cross
The full version requires a subscription
cross
Some people say the mood rating isn’t that diverse
young stressed woman
freepik.com

#6 Moodily – Best for mood journaling

Do you want to write every detail about your moods? 

One of the best mental health apps for this is Moodily. This mobile app contains daily notes that allow you to express thoughts and emotions. You can also find several common activities, like running to improve your mood or social gatherings, that make you feel a certain way.

Moodily was made to give people a better understanding of their mental health. It generates a visual of how your feelings look each month, depending on how much you track progress.

Here are the strong and weak aspects of using Moodily:

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Moodily is one of the free mental health apps
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Suitable for those who have depression, anxiety, or mood swings
checkmark
The tools are very user-friendly
checkmark
You can use emojis to express your mood and personality
cross
There is a diverse range of mood options
cross
People report experiencing lots of bugs and crashes
cross
You can only do one daily activity
cross
This app doesn’t provide reminders

#7 Youper – Best for depression

Youper is one of the several mental health apps that can support people with depression. There are therapists and behavior coaches that provide suitable treatment. You can also opt for 24/7 chat options, live video sessions with professionals, and tips for easing mental health issues.

Before delving into the app’s features, you can complete an emotional assessment. This will help Youper understand your needs and mental health concerns. For example, if you want to find a special type of medication, you can answer questions regarding prescriptions. 

Below, you’ll find the main pros and cons:

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The Youper app is easy to navigate for users
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You can find lots of self-learning exercises
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Creators of this app will accept insurance plans
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AI bot guides you through CBT lessons
cross
Youper doesn’t have a free version
cross
The app might crash or get stuck on certain screens
cross
You can only do therapy sessions in Texas

#8  Liberate: My OCD Fighter – Best for OCD

Liberate is the best mental health app for those who have OCD. It can help you manage compulsions and thoughts that bring down your mood every day. There are diary entries, from small daily logs to long chapters, that help people document their good and bad emotions. 

You can also add goals to fight anxiety and practice self-care techniques. For example, you might feel passionate about controlling intrusive thoughts. Liberate will then use those goals to create graphs, which are pieces of information that deeply analyze your thought process.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Liberate:

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Liberate has safety warnings that check your condition
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A free app that provides stress relief
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The interface has an eye-catching design
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It comprises psychological exercises to help mental health symptoms
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Several reviews talk about the app’s crashing issues
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The tools could be too complex
cross
Setting up your account might trigger OCD

#9 Recovery Record – Best for eating disorder recovery

Recovery Record has advanced features that suit those with eating disorders. You can log meals, emotions, and behaviors associated with food. The educational content is there to guide you through building healthy habits and finding ways to manage stress in the long term.

This app is unique because it allows you to send eating data to your doctor or licensed therapist. They can view your progress and offer tips for overcoming the issue. Another great benefit is the rewards you get from passing each stage in your recovery.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Recovery Record: 

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The app offers motivational messages
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Plenty of options to set goals ahead of meals
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Recovery Record focuses on healing rather than your calorie intake
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One of the budget-friendly mental health apps
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You can view gentle reminders from food logs
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There aren’t many opportunities for customization
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Health professionals have to set up their own accounts to see your reports

How to Choose Mental Health Apps

Most mental health apps have a key aspect that monitors your moods. This could be daily tracking logs, diary entries, and educational content. However, to choose the right app, you have to determine if the features suit your needs and are worth paying for in the long term. 

Let’s take a look at the below factors in more detail:

Brand reputation 

Finding out more about the company is very important. 

Do they have other products? What is their mission for customers? These are questions you should consider before buying a subscription. For example, Sensa promotes scientifically-backed CBT, which shows they do reliable research on mental health. 

Price

Not everyone can afford to pay large monthly subscriptions. 

Some mental health apps offer free trials or versions that encourage people to try the features. If the company doesn’t have that, you might feel discouraged from investing. Consider these questions – does the app have in-app purchases? Is this something you’re going to use in the future?

Effectiveness

A free app might be great, but what if it’s not effective? You should learn about the pros and cons of certain mental health mobile apps. There are companies that don’t cater to specific mental health conditions or haven’t been approved by the anxiety and depression association.

Quality 

Everyone wants to pay for a monthly subscription that provides high-quality services. Otherwise, is there really a point? Apps like Sensa incorporate advice from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) experts. This means they want to create a platform using the best information. 

Always check to see if the application can support overall mental health.

sensa health
Health Insider edit

A Word From Our MD

Certain mobile applications could help you through a mental health condition. They usually have daily logs, progress trackers, advice from medical professionals, and self-awareness articles to benefit your health. It’s all about finding one that works for your needs and personal goals.

For example, if you have anxiety, you might prefer apps that provide breathing exercises. This may stop future panic attacks, leading to better health management. Some companies purposely use online services to replace traditional therapy and help people feel comfortable. 

Just remember to call the national suicide prevention lifeline if you’re experiencing serious mental health problems. You could even join support groups that have licensed therapists.

Conclusion

So, are these mental health apps effective?

If you suffer from a mental illness, search for an app that works to improve your overall well-being. Sensa is a great option for people who regularly experience burnout, anxiety, depression, procrastination, and ADHD, so it’s worth trying on your personal journey.

This app offers plenty of guidance and tips that are easy to follow in just a few minutes.

Written by
Edibel Quintero, MD

Edibel Quintero is a medical doctor who graduated in 2013 from the University of Zulia and has been working in her profession since then. She specializes in obesity and nutrition, physical rehabilitation, sports massage and post-operative rehabilitation. Edibel's goal is to help people live healthier lives by educating them about food, exercise, mental wellness and other lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life.

hands holding mental health illustration in a session

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