The Rise of the Self-Help Apps

In a world that's become heavily reliant on smartphones, tablets and social media, mental health initiatives are finally taking their place in our electronic world. 

Self-help smartphone and tablet apps offer a unique and convenient approach to self-care. Because smartphones are commonplace, these online tools are accessible to a large populace and are often free. Apps offer mood monitoring, coping skills, meditation lessons, psycho-education and so much more. 

Finding an app that fits your needs might take some time and but we'd like to mention an app that's doing something right.

Introducing Pacifica,

This sleek and aesthetically calming app provides "daily tools for wellness. Based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and relaxation". Though the apps basic features are free, a subscription is available for extensive features.

Upon opening the app, the user is prompted to select an anxiety-related goal that pertains to their situation, for example, minimizing social anxiety. The app will then cater to this need primarily. Once a choice is made, the app's home screen is opened, revealing four simple options: “Mood, Relax,” “Thoughts,” and “Experiments” 

        

"Mood" allows a simplistic way of keeping track of daily moods that can be converted into a chart format to view trends in mood changes. 

"Relax" might be the greatest tool that Pacifica has to offer. This option provides users with breathing exercises, visualization methods and guided meditations while giving the user the opportunity to choose from an array of peaceful soundscapes. Other mindfulness activities can be accessed with a subscription. 

"Thoughts" is the app's most unique approach to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The user is prompted to record a voice note of their day and the worries that ensued. Once recorded, the user can play the note back and select green or red for each thought that's expressed, this represents positive and negative thoughts. Once this is complete, the user is given the opportunity to rerecord a more realistic voice note. The unfortunate thing about this is that there is no text note options for those who aren't keen on recording and listening to their own voices.

"Experiments" allows the user to explore the causes for their anxiety and 

All in all, Pacifica is an excellent resource for those coping with anxiety. Although the features are limited without a subscription, they are still sufficient. Subscriptions are $35.00 per year or $4.59 per month but could be worth the investment for users who explore the 7-day trial of the full version.