Whether for mindfulness meditation, a place to journal, ADHD-friendly time management, or a chat with others who get it, there are so many mental health apps out there now. This is not a comprehensive list or an alternative to therapy, but as a neurodivergent individual, who tends to be on their phone a good bit, some of the apps have actually come in handy. Below are some of the apps I have tried out personally, recommended to clients, or have heard decent things about.
1. Headspace
Overview: A mindfulness and meditation app designed to help folks manage stress, anxiety, and improve sleep. It offers guided meditations, sleep sounds, and mindfulness exercises.
Features:
Guided meditations for various needs
Sleepcasts and relaxing sounds
Stress and anxiety management tools
Programs for beginners and experienced meditators
Pros & Cons
User-friendly interface
High-quality content
Broad range of topics covered
Subscription required for full access
2. Tiimo
Overview: A visually engaging, planning app designed to help users manage their time, stay organized, and complete tasks. It combines features of traditional planning apps with unique support for neurodiverse individuals, specifically targeting those with ADHD.
Features:
Visual daily planning and scheduling
Timers and reminders for tasks
Customizable icons and colors
Routine templates
Integration with calendars
Focus mode with sensory-friendly features
Pros & Cons:
Highly customizable and user-friendly
Designed for neurodiverse users
Requires a subscription for full access
Limited advanced productivity features
3. Calm
Overview: Another popular app for meditation, sleep, and relaxation. It offers guided meditation sessions, sleep stories narrated by celebrities, and relaxing music.
Features:
Daily Calm sessions
Sleep stories and sleep music
Breathing exercises
Masterclasses on mindfulness
Pros & Cons:
Wide variety of content
High production quality
Regular updates with new content
Premium subscription required for full access
4. How We Feel
Overview: A free, user-friendly tool designed to help individuals track and understand their emotions. Developed by a team of scientists, designers, and engineers, the app aims to provide insights into emotional patterns and promote better mental health through self-awareness.
Features:
Emotion logging
Mood tracking with visual representations
Personalized insights and analysis
Community support
Pros & Cons:
Easy-to-use
Valuable personalized insights
Limited advanced features compared to paid apps
Requires consistent use for best results
Special Note: I have really loved using and suggesting this app to clients who find it sometimes hard to express emotions verbally or have a hard time remembering to respond to “just checking in” texts. By adding a close friend or partner(s), you can share how you are feeling in a few simple clicks, with as much or as little info as you want.
5. Finch: Self Care Pet
Overview: A fun and unique mental health and self-care app that combines the vibe of Tamagotchi and self-care routines. Designed to make self-care fun and engaging, users take care of a virtual pet by completing daily self-care activities.
Features:
Daily self-care tasks and reminders
Progress tracking and rewards
Customizable pets and environments
Positive reinforcement and motivational messages
Pros & Cons:
Engaging and fun approach to self-care
Encourages consistency and routine through positive reinforcement
May not appeal to users who prefer traditional self-care methods
Limited advanced features compared to other mental health apps
Comments