Self-Help Resources
Recommendations for use
Online self-help resources can be valuable. While we have reviewed the following sites and found them useful, we cannot affirm the validity and accuracy of all the material on each of these sites. As you evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of mental health information on the Internet, be sure to check the following:
- When was the information posted? Is it the kind of information that should be regularly updated or revised?
- How credible is the source of the information? Credible sources include professional journals or associations, universities, government mental health organizations or health care institutions.
We do not recommend online resources as the only source of help for significant mental health concerns. Online resources are not meant to and cannot replace the specialized training and professional judgment of a trained mental health or health care professional. You should always consult a trained professional before making any decision regarding treatment choice or changes.
Mental Health Apps
Below is a list of applications that address a variety of concerns and can be used to support the work you do in therapy or assist with self-improvement. The applications are sorted by topic and include links to Google Play and iTunes.
Anxiety
Breathe2Relax
Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool for iPhone and Android devices. It's a hands-on diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body's "fight-or-flight" response and help with mood stabilization, anger control and anxiety management.
Tactical Breather
The Tactical Breather app for iPhone and Android devices can be used to gain control over physiological and psychological responses to stress. Through repetitive practice and training, you can learn to gain control of your heart rate, emotions, concentration and other physiological and psychological responses to your body during stressful situations.
Mindshift
Mindshift, for iPhone and Android devices, is designed to provide you with tools for managing various types of anxiety, including test anxiety, perfectionism, social anxiety, performance anxiety, worry, panic and conflict.
Stop Panic and Anxiety
Stop Panic and Anxiety is a free Android app that offers self-help methods to control panic and anxiety. The info in this app assumes that you are suffering from panic attacks due to Panic Disorder. It may not be applicable to other forms of anxiety. It focuses on the fear of having a panic attack and the fear of the sensations when having a panic.
Depression
Depression CBT Self-Help Guide
This Android app contains a depression severity test, audios, articles, a cognitive diary and a motivational points system that help you learn how to do this.
Cognitive Diary CBT
The self-help methods used in this Android app are based on the tools of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and challenge irrational thinking.
MoodGYM
MoodGYM is an internet based Cognitive Behavioral treatment for Depression developed by a psychologist. Create an account and follow the treatment plan. This is an excellent tool to use in conjunction with in person therapy.
MoodTools
MoodTools is a free, convenient, and easy-to-use smartphone app that provides six evidence-based tools to aid against clinical depression and negative moods on a large scale. MoodTools is perfect either as a self-help tool or as a supplement to treatment. It contains the following tools: depression information, depressions test, videos, thought diary, activities and a safety plan.
Mental Health Tools
DBT Self-Help
This iPhone and Android app is designed to help you cope with overwhelming emotions and impulsive behaviors. It will also assist with relationships and help you cultivate mindfulness.
Mindfulness/Relaxation
Headspace
Headspace, for iPhone and Android devices, is meditation made relevant to modern life. Get unique daily guided meditations, science facts and figures and progress reports, all designed to make it as easy as possible for you to get some calm and clarity.
Relax Melodies: Sleep and Yoga
Select sounds and melodies that you like and combine them to create a mix with this iPhone and Android app.
PTSD
PTSD Coach
PTSD Coach was developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD. This iPhone and Android app is intended to be used as an adjunct to psychological treatment, but can also serve as a stand-alone education tool.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem Blackboard
This Android app was developed by a clinical psychologist using the methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help improve self-esteem. This app may be for you if low self-esteem is affecting your relationships or preventing you from being successful at school. If you're unhappy with yourself, or having problems with anxiety or depression, this app may be for you.
Suicide Prevention
A Friend Asks
This iPhone and Android app offers tips for getting help for a friend (or yourself). Helpful information includes what to do RIGHT NOW as well as what NOT to do.
LifeBuoy
This iPhone app is designed specifically to assist suicide survivors after a recent attempt. It offers a daily mood diary, suggestions for decreasing social isolation and other ways to monitor increased warning signs of suicidality.
ReliefLink
This award-winning suicide prevention iPhone app assists users with tracking daily mood/thoughts, creating a safety plan, locating the nearest hospitals, and obtaining quick-access to coping methods.
SuicideApp
This iPhone app is designed to support those dealing with suicidal thoughts and help prevent suicide. You can customize your own warning signs that a crisis may be developing, coping strategies for dealing with suicidal urges, places for distraction, friends and family members you can reach out to, professionals you can call, methods of making your environment safe and your own important reasons for living.
Virtual Hope Box
This iPhone and Android app helps with coping relaxation, distraction from overwhelming emotion, and positive thinking. You can personalize the content on the app to meet your specific needs.
Sexual Assault Resources
Consortium Assault Services
Consortium Assault Services iPhone app is a collaborative project in the Five College Area. CASA is a centralized database of resources available to help a victim of sexual assault or misconduct. Resources range from professional counselors to town police across all five colleges. The app can be used by sexual assault survivors, their friends, or anyone who needs information about resources on his/her college campus.
Circle of 6
This iPhone app allows you a way to connect with your most trusted friends to stay close and attempt to prevent violence before it happens. It lets you choose six trusted friends to add to your circle. If you get into an uncomfortable situation, use Circle of 6 to automatically send your circle a pre-programmed SMS alert message with your exact location.
Recovery
Quit Drinking
This Android app is designed to help people cope with the emotional and physical cravings for alcohol.
iQuit
This iPhone app makes a smoker wanting to quit wait longer between each smoke until they are gradually able to quit. Charts and gives results of time between each smoke.
Porn and Sex Addiction Support
This iPhone app provides support through chat, news and video podcasts.