In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing mental health is more essential than ever.
While you might think mental health apps are only for individuals grappling with more severe issues, the truth is that we all could benefit from a little extra support.
I remember a particularly hectic week a few years ago when the weight of daily stressors began to feel overwhelming. I felt constantly stressed and on edge. Little problems seemed insurmountable and could ruin my day.
During this time, I discovered a collection of innovative apps designed to bolster mental well-being.
From Talkspace’s convenient therapy sessions to Happify's engaging activities, these tools aren't just for those in crisis—but for anyone seeking greater happiness and life satisfaction.
Whether you want to manage anxiety, build resilience, or feel more grounded, the seven best mental health apps we’ll explore can help you navigate life’s ups and downs quickly and confidently.
Let’s explore how these digital companions can enhance our mental health journey and how these seven positive psychology apps can improve our lives.
1. Talkspace
Talkspace is a 100% online-driven platform and app where people can text, video and audio message with a licensed therapist… 5 days a week, 24 hours per day. All sessions are done online or via your smartphone whenever convenient for you.
All Talkspace therapists undergo a rigorous vetting and credentialing process and are licensed to practice in certain states, so you’ll be matched with one in your time zone.
You are given three therapists to choose from based on your personalized assessment. By simply clicking on their profile, you can read through their bios and pick the one you’d feel most compatible with.
I highly suggest downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet for a better real-time experience. This way, your therapist can communicate with you during their “office hours,” much like texting with a friend. The typical response time is generally 4-6 hours in the morning and afternoon. Late-night messages (4 pm EST—7 am EST) are usually answered by 10 am EST the following day.
Again, there are no free trials with Talkspace, for the same reason you can’t get a free trial with a licensed in-person therapist… they are being paid for their time.
Talkspace offers three plans:
All plans include interaction with your therapist 5 days/week.
The Talkspace app is available via Google Play or the App Store for iPhones and iPad.
2. MoodMission
MoodMission is an app designed to help users deal with stress, depression, and anxiety. There is no interaction with a licensed therapist or medical professional, but there are a series of mental health exercises designed to help you feel better when you’re feeling down.
When you start using the app, it will ask you to take a few quick surveys about how you’re feeling… and then give you a customized list of five “Missions” to improve your overall well-being and lift your spirits.
These missions are scientifically-backed mental health strategies and exercises that are quick and easy to complete and have proven effective in elevating your mood quickly. Missions include:
Completing Missions earns you rewards in the app to keep you motivated, and a mission log helps you track your progress over time. So eventually, the app’s algorithm detects which types of Missions work best for you… meaning the more you use MoodMission, the better experience you’ll have.
The MoodMission app is available via Google Play for Android or in the App Store.
3. Moodfit
Moodfit believes that mental and physical well-being go hand in hand. Scientists and doctors have been saying this for years: If you feel good physically, you’ll feel better about yourself mentally. Endorphins, baby! Conversely, if you’re in a good mental state, you’ll be more inclined to get up and get going.
The importance of self-care is a driving force behind what makes this app tick… and a big part of why it’s been ranked among the most popular for the past two years. The creators don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all solution to mental health. That is why they encourage users to experiment with different tools and track their results… which is integral to understanding what works best for their situation and personality type.
Moodfit assists users with:
The custom tracking feature is perhaps the coolest feature about this app, given that other apps offer a handful of the same features. Personally speaking, it would be great to have a tool to help me realize that every time I see a specific friend or family member, I become agitated or depressed. We can’t always see what’s right before us without a bit of help. Moodfit can offer that help.
Moodfit is available for free download via Google Play and the App Store. The free version offers most of the key features; however, unlimited access to all areas requires a Premium Membership.
4. Sanvello
Sanvello is not your average mental health app. It’s more like an anti-anxiety kit that goes wherever you go… for whenever you need it.
The Sanvello app offers many of the self-care features its competitor apps do, such as:
But what is unique about Sanvello are the additional features, such as:
Peer support is a forum where you can talk with other users nonjudgmentally, helping each other relate and realize you are not alone. You can search for various topics and view posts from your Sanvello community designed to motivate and inspire you.
Coaching is available for an additional subscription upgrade. This is your chance to have 1-on-1 conversations via text or video chat with an empathetic coach with a background in mental wellness and over 200 hours of training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). No bots! The coaches are well-versed in Sanvello and will make personal recommendations for areas to focus on as your needs or emotions change.
The therapist feature is available as an add-on to the coaching plan. You pay an initial consultation fee and a discounted follow-up fee for each session afterward. To get started:
Every session is done online and at your convenience. Afterward, your therapist will recommend tools within the app to help you on your healing journey and work with your personal coach. They will also refer you to an in-person therapist if you feel teletherapy isn’t best for you.
Sanvello prides itself on its affiliation with many major insurance plans so all or part of your costs will be covered.
Sanvello can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
5. Happify
Happify's science-based activities and games were designed by experts in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience to help users overcome negative thoughts, stress, and unexpected challenges in life. Life coaches and renowned self-help authors also contributed to the company's brainpower.
Available online or via the app, Happify’s techniques were developed by experts who've studied evidence-based interventions in positive psychology, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy for decades.
Happify’s focuses on four main areas:
Then, it provides you with the tools you need to succeed in those areas and improve your mind.
Start by answering a few questions (I think there were about 8) and then provide an email address to get started. Once you sign in, you’ll be asked if you want your profile private or public. A public profile allows you to receive encouragement and feedback from other Happify users and vice versa. I chose private, but I can always change it.
After that, you’re given a recommended “track” based on your earlier answers.
It asks you to spend just a few minutes daily doing fun activities to improve your well-being skills. Happify believes six basic skills separate happy people from the not-so-happy people:
Doing these things will help you reduce stress, boost your self-esteem, eliminate dead-end and negative thoughts, improve your relationships, and make better lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, better sleep).
Most people using the app reported feeling roughly 85% better after just two months, using the program 3-4 times weekly.
On your journey with Happify, you can choose from upwards of 65 tracks, many of which are included with the free membership. The locked ones are for Happify Plus users only.
Happify Plus offers:
Another unique aspect of this program is Happify Daily… where you’ll have access to articles, videos, and infographics to help you live your happiest life. This is also available on the free version.
Happify can be downloaded at the Google Play or App Store.
6. Shine
Shine was created by two women, one Black and one half-Japanese. They wanted to create a nonjudgmental platform where people from all ethnicities, genders, religions, and cultural backgrounds could easily access tools to inspire and support them on their personal wellness journey.
Shine’s team is 80% BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color). The company prides itself on the diverse range of experiences, identities, and skills each staffer brings to the table. This makes Shine the perfect app for people who feel discriminated against.
The basic version of Shine is free. It includes a daily meditation, article, and a gratitude log. It’s simplistic but convenient.
Shine Premium offers basic features and more, including:
Shine is available via the Google Play and App Store.
7. Calm
Calm was initially designed as an app to improve sleep through relaxation and meditation techniques. It has since expanded to help users with their overall mental health and happiness.
When you first go to the website, it asks, “What can we help you with today?”. Click on one or all of the items you’d like to work on, and you’re brought to another screen where you’re congratulated for taking the first step towards a mentally stronger you. You’re then asked to answer a few more questions to personalize your experience.
Once the survey is complete, you must enter an email or login with Facebook or Google to get your customized plan.
Calm is still mediation-driven, but instead of helping you sleep better at night… it promises to decrease stress and increase happiness during the day. 84% of Calm users who used the app five times per week say they experienced an improvement in their mental health.
The basic membership includes a smaller selection of guided meditations and sleep stories, but premium offers:
Calm is available via Google Play or the App Store.
Final Thoughts on Mental Health Apps
In a world where things are constantly changing and many of us can rarely find the time to stand still, let alone practice self-care, having easy access to tools that can help us re-center our focus and find peace can be a game changer.
Think of your mental and physical well-being as yin and yang. They are interconnected. Case in point, my doctors couldn’t find anything physically wrong with me after my anxiety attack.
For the first time in my life, I saw a cardiologist, neurologist, ENT, and gastroenterologist for symptoms that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
I was suffering from shortness of breath, tinnitus, burning in my chest, insomnia, palpitations and “white coat syndrome”. My joints ached.
But now that I’ve gotten a clean bill of health “on paper,”… I’ve realized it is up to me to take back control of my mental well-being, which will inevitably improve my physical feelings. Stress really can kill you, not to mention turn your hair gray.
You need to find the mental health app that works for you. Try a few or all of them. Most offer basic versions to give you a taste.
But honestly, if you find the one that suits you, it’s almost always worth springing for the upgrades. In the long run, it’s just a drop in the bucket and money well spent… on you and your brighter future.
Be happy!
Finally, if you want to increase your happiness and life satisfaction, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what's important.
