Mental health problems are becoming increasingly common, with depression affecting one in four adults at some point in life. While mainstream approaches to treating conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and eating disorder include therapy and/or medications, there are many self-help tools now available, including iPad applications.

iPad Mental Health Applications

There are plenty of ways in which an iPad can help to improve mental health and wellbeing, including easy access to self-help books, YouTube videos and motivational sources of support, all available at the click of a button. Having favourite photos of close friends, family and holidays may enable the brain to remember happy events, thus helping mood. The diary application is particularly useful for those in therapy to keep track of progress and record thoughts relating to sessions. A wide range of iPad mental health applications are now available from iTunes, including the following:

  • Depression check - screens for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress
  • Psych Terms - 1000+ frequently used psychiatric, mental health terms/phrases/definitions
  • Symptom Checker - medical research results in a click
  • Inspiring Quotes 5000 - quotes on success, perseverance, courage, inspiration, hope
  • Pharmacist's Letter - keep in touch with latest medication developments
  • Medicinal Herbs - learn about alternative mental health treatments e.g. St. John's Wort
  • Drugs and Medications - research medications e.g. antidepressants, anti-psychotics
  • Health tips1000 - nutrition and exercise tips to help boost mood
  • Touch Bible (KJV) - access encouraging Bible verses
  • Power of Positivity - powerful, positive quotes
  • Bible Promises - 500 popular verses on meaningful topics

Relaxation and Stress Reduction Apps

In order to prevent relapses from common mental health conditions such as depression and remain in recovery from anxiety, stress-related and eating disorders, relaxation skills and stress reduction techniques are particularly helpful. Here are some examples of practical relaxation and stress reduction apps to maintain good mental health: