Depression is real and it affects everyone differently. A person can seem happily content yet suffer from a deep depression that can be fatal. Whether you’re dealing with deep depression, loneliness, grief, or extreme stress, it’s important to ask for help. But what is more important is having easy access to help when you need it.
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For some, it may be in the form of therapy, medication, or support groups. For the more introverted ones, a mobile app can become their companion for or additional option for tackling depressive symptoms.
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The best thing about is discretion and of course zero to none monetary baggage. Convenience and reliability are key. If you’re interested in exploring and understanding new ways to manage your mental health, take a look at some of these best-curated depression apps.
Best Depression Apps (December 2020)
Moodpath – Depression & Anxiety Test
iPhone: 4.7 starsAndroid: 4.6 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Do you find trouble in understanding your moods? Moodpath is your answer to assess your mental health and makes a sound professional treatment decision. Unlike general, philosophical Q&A, Moodpath asks you in-the-moment questions over a series of 14 days to weigh your emotional well-being. The app is focused on initiating and easing conversation with a professional, but it also offers more than 150 exercises to gear and reflects on your mental health within the app.
TalkLife
iPhone: 4.5 starsAndroid: 4.5 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
While the conversation around mental health has become more visible, the taboo attached to it still remains. Fear of opening up while suffering can be very tough for your mental wellbeing. That’s where TalkLife comes in. This depression app offers you a safe space to openly talk about depression who can empathise and understand.
It offers a blanket of connection and support one needs during these tough times. A caring community, all of who can relate, listen, and help are at your service to make you feel at ease. The app offers complete anonymity which is its plus point.
Daylio – Mood Tracker
iPhone: 4.8 starsAndroid: 4.8 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Fluctuating moods and temper can sometimes be a lot more traumatic than it seems. Daylio can help you pinpoint these trends so you can make the adjustments as per your convenience. The depression app is PIN-protected and uses graphics to chalk out your activities and everyday moods. For better understanding, Daylio has in-built designed stats and trends which are easy to follow. The app provides daily reminders to ensure you keep up do not lose out on your journaling and tracking.
iPhone: 5 starsAndroid: 4.9 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
App developers used the power of Artificial Intelligence to harness and manage depression. You can chat with your assistant, who asks you questions that will focus you to recognize your thought patterns and behaviors. It offers a range of different techniques for you to work through and help you along the way. Finally, this mental health app summarises your conversations and makes them tangible enough to understand your emotional and mental well-being.
Depression CBT
Android: 4.2 stars
Price: Free
Depression CBT is a self-help app based on the principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy. The app lets you track your mood in a diary-like manner. A built-in motivational feature combined with informational articles helps you process and change your thought patterns for better mental health. You can also track your progress through a depression severity test. For someone with a busy life and heavy commute, it also offers audio content.
What’s Up?
Android: 4.4 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
What’s Up? is a not just your habit tracker but a complete therapy mechanism for your every day need. Drawing from CBT and acceptance commitment therapy, it teaches you dozens of coping mechanisms, from grounding exercises and breathing techniques to understanding and identifying distorted thought patterns. The app also offers all the community therapy support one must need to feel understood and less lonely.
Pacifica
iPhone: 4.7 starsAndroid: 4.4 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Identifying and Coming to terms with your feelings can be very tough. Pacifica, a mindfulness app helps you do just that and transits you towards acceptance and peace. Designed by a psychologist, the app is easy to use and highly recommended. The app lets you practice different mind exercises such as visualization, mindfulness meditation, and muscle relaxation. The sooting sound of nature in the background can add to your peace and calm.
Happifys
iPhone: 4.4 starsAndroid: 3.7 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
When you’re feeling depressed, a little fun and games can cheer you up. With an aim towards improving your current mood and building an understanding of it, Happifys offers evidence-based games. Activities borrowed from positive psychology, CBT, and mindfulness that will challenge you and hopefully get your mind off of troubling thoughts. This app is your answer to how depression, irritability, and stress can shape into perspective and empowerment.
If you think someone you know needs help but are hesitant, do not take it lightly. Help each other pull up, empathize, and be kind.