“App” your way to good mental health – the power of technology

Although mental health is something all of us want for ourselves, talking about it in a healthy way is something that communities across the world have always struggled with. But, it is time that people come together to dissipate the various stigmas associated with mental health problems.

Sadly, however, society views and judges those afflicted by mental health issues pretty heavily. Many derogatory names have been coined for such people, for example, “demented”, or “crazy” or “lunatic” and so forth, and in effect almost criminalising those suffering from these issues.

PLAY YOUR PART

There is a way that you can play your part to destigmatise mental health, and to contribute to the betterment of our society in this regard and help squash such false beliefs and sometimes cruel sentiments:

• Refrain from making it taboo and talk openly about it, and create platforms where people can honestly discuss their struggles. Safe spaces that clearly highlight that no one has to suffer in silence.
• Stay informed and spread awareness of societal mental health impact
• Treat mental disorder just like physical diseases and ensure effective treatment, because mental illnesses are brain disorders that can develop in anybody.
• Avoid using language that stigmatises and as such making the sufferer more of a victim.

SOME RESOURCES

It’s always interesting to realise that just like physical health, we actually all have mental health and that mental health problems can affect anyone, whatever their age or background. The fact that good mental health is an integral part of good overall health can never be stressed enough. mental health is the foundation for well-being and the effective functioning of a community.

The following are four free Apps you can download to get simple strategies and resources for staying emotionally healthy.

 MindShift. Rather than trying to avoid anxious feelings, it stresses the importance of changing how you think about anxiety. Think of this app as the cheerleader in your pocket, encouraging you to take charge of your life, ride out intense emotions, and face challenging situations. (Free; iOS and Android)

Relax with Andrew Johnson. This app offers a lot of great mindfulness resources, but one of its best features is the Deep Sleep meditation. This tool helps you build off the app’s other mindfulness features aimed at sleep in order to help you get the best night’s rest possible. (Free; iOS and Android)

Happify. With its psychologist-approved mood-training program, you can try various engaging games, activity suggestions, gratitude prompts and more, to train your brain to overcome negative thoughts. (Free; iOS and Android)

Rise Up + Recover is a unique app as it not only allows you to track your meals and how you feel when you eat them, but you can also transcribe your progress into a PDF printout. Use this app when you feel the urge to binge or skip a meal. (Free; iOS and Android)

DISCLAIMER

We at Women in Healthcare do not believe that apps can ever replace traditional therapy, they should be used as supplementary tools on the road to treatment and recovery. As such it’s important for frontline workers to actively and intentionally take care of themselves and make sure that they seek professional treatment and a licensed practitioner at the first signs of mental stress.

Finally, it’s paramount to normalise help-seeking behaviour. We all need to be mindful about how we respond or comment when a person shares about being stressed, overwhelmed or having problems coping. Instead, why not be that voice of encouragement and empowerment. Remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of courage!