7 Ways Mental Health Care Apps Are Actually Helping People in Need.

As per Lancet, One in seven Indians were affected by mental disorders of varying severity in 2017. The situation has worsened post covid pandemic struck the country. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder that huge number of mental health care apps have emerged in a very short span of time. But are these apps actually helping people in need? In this article, we’ll take a look at variety of mental health care apps available, how do they work, how they are actually making impact on the lives of its users and some limitations that must be kept in mind before you decide to avail services from an online therapy app.

What are mental health care apps?

Mental health care apps are digital applications that can be used to help manage mental health. There are a variety of online apps available, each with its own unique set of features. Some mental health care apps focus on providing information and resources, while others provide tools for tracking moods and symptoms. Still others offer a combination of these features.

Mental health care apps can provide first line of response for people who are struggling with mental health issues. They can provide information and resources that may help people to better understand their condition and find ways to cope with their symptoms. Additionally, mental health care apps can be used to track moods and symptoms over time, which can be helpful for both individuals and their caregivers.

How do mental health care apps work?

Mental health care apps can offer a variety of services, from education and awareness to tracking and treatment. How do they work?
Education and awareness: Many mental health care apps provide educational content about mental illness and its signs and symptoms. This can help people become more aware of their own mental health, as well as the mental health of those around them.
Tracking: Some of the best therapy apps allow users to track their moods, emotions, and behaviours over time. This can be helpful in spotting patterns and triggers, and can also be used to track the progress of treatment.
Treatment: Some Mental Health and Wellbeing Apps offer tools and resources for treating mental illness, such as relaxation techniques, coping strategies, and connecting end users to in-app consultations with the therapists.

How mental health care apps are helping people?

Some of the Best Online Therapy Apps are offering amazing benefits to the users. Some of them are as follow:
1. They are providing ways to track moods and symptoms.
Imagine, every time you feel a particular type of emotion you track it by punching some data in your app. Over a period of time, the data collected gives you the most authentic insight into your mood patterns and symptoms. It can also help you work on the triggers behind those moods and emotions.

2. As per the recommendations of WHO, connecting end users with a support network or building peer group network/communities is also very beneficial. Consequently, many online therapy apps provide such community/ peer support within the app. Here
individuals share survival strategies/coping skills that have worked for them. This is giving hopes to millions of those battling mental illness that they too can get better and live a normal life.

3. In the era of digital overload, the risk of unverified information related to mental health care on social media is enormous says United States National Library of Medicine. Misinformation from unverified resources can adversely impact the mental health without any sense of accountability. Some of the best online therapy apps come to the rescue by providing verified and researched information with a sense of accountability to its users.

4. Additionally, Mental health and wellbeing apps are helping to normalize the experience of mental illness and reduce stigma. It is helping end users connect with complete anonymity and confidentiality as the session involves only users and their therapist.

5. For working professionals who do not have enough time to personally visit the therapists, these apps are facilitating consultation from the comfort of their homes. The ease of access to therapist has increased their conformity to the treatment regimes.

6. One of the issues with mental health care in India is that there is a huge demand supply gap in terms of professionals available. Most of the qualified therapists are available in metros like Delhi or Bangalore. Those living in suburbs or small towns do not have enough resources to approach them in person. Online therapy apps are making their journey easy by providing them the opportunity to connect with the best-in-class therapists, no matter which corner of the country they reside in.

7. Last but not the least it is providing for inclusivity in care. Mental Health and Wellbeing Apps provide access to care for individuals who are disabled or housebound especially women who spend majority of their time in household chores and rarely get the luxury to visit a therapist in person.

Are there any drawbacks to mental health care apps?

Mental health care apps can be a great source of help. However, there are some potential drawbacks to using these apps. First, it is important to carefully consider which app is right for you. Not all of them will be equally effective for everyone. It is important to do your research and find an app that has been proven to be helpful for people with specific needs similar to yours.

Another potential drawback to online therapy apps is that they can sometimes provide false hope. For example, if an app promises to help you overcome your anxiety but does not deliver on that promise, you may feel disappointed and discouraged. It is important to remember that even the best online therapy app can fail to provide a cure to all your mental health issues. Remember they are simply tools that can help you in your journey towards recovery.

Finally, Online therapy apps can sometimes be expensive. But there are many free or low-cost mental health care apps available, be sure to explore all of your options before making a decisios.

How can I find a mental health care app that is right for me?

When it comes to finding a mental health and wellbeing app, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, consider what type of mental health issue you are struggling with. There are apps that focus on specific issues like anxiety or depression, while others are more general in nature. Chose the one that suits your needs, even if that is not so famous.
Second, think about what features you would like the app to have. Some apps offer tracking and journaling tools to help you monitor your progress, while others provide educational resources or connect you with a community of other users. Some online therapy apps may even connect you with the best-in-class therapist in online mode. Finally, make sure to read reviews of the app before you download it to get an idea of how well it works for other people. With these factors in mind, you should be able to find an app that is right for you.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that mental health care apps have the potential to help people in need. It seems the best possible medium to take mental health care to unserved and underserved regions of the country. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of making these apps more accessible, effective and research based. In the meantime, it is important to remember that these apps are not a replacement for professional help. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, consider exploring a mental health care app as a first line of response.

(The Author is founder & CEO at Lisners, a tech led mental health android application catering to mental health crisis in India)