With the flood of news updates about the coronavirus (the worldwide pandemic wreaking havoc across the globe), more people are starting to experience mental health symptoms than ever before. Many people around the world suddenly find ourselves in limbo emotionally, financially, and physically. This is all adding to the stress and anxiety that is COVID- 19
In this article, we talk about the best apps for mental health sufferers and people worrying about the coronavirus outbreak. The apps that we discuss provide online distance therapy. This method of psychotherapy falls in line with local and regional regulations for sheltering-in-place, lockdown, or quarantine.
What Are Mental Health Apps?
Mental health therapy apps offer an alternative to in-office therapy. With the coronavirus outbreak looming over our heads, it’s uncertain when things will get back to normal. In the meantime, online therapy apps offer direct access to board-certified, trained, and licensed clinicians. Online therapists specialize in providing mental health counseling and therapeutic support. Today’s online mental health care providers work in conjunction with offline providers like primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and community social workers.
Benefits of Online Therapy Apps
Get realistic and useful advice that you can incorporate into your everyday routine.
Heal old wounds and relationships by facing your issues and learning that they don’t define you.
Learn how to practice self-care to reduce the effects of chronic mental health symptoms, times of uncertainty like these surrounding the coronavirus. The following are a few online therapy benefits.
Benefit #1.Affordable when compared to the National average of $65.00 – $200.00 per hour.
Therapists are certified to practice therapy in their state of licensure. This is normally the same as their state of residence.
Benefit #2. Online providers work in conjunction with other providers to coordinate care for medication management, case management, and community services.
Benefit #3. Distance therapy providers are available online 24-hours a day. This means there is always a qualified therapist available to help you address your concerns, no matter the time of day or night.
Benefit #4. People who have transportation issues can benefit from online therapy. Talk about what’s really bothering you with someone who cares and understands.
Popular Therapy Apps
You get to choose your own outlook, why not put your best foot forward? People who are on lockdown, social-distancing, self-quarantine, and quarantine won’t miss out on a high standard of therapy care when they take advantage of getting distance therapy from home. The following sites are available for distance therapy during the coronavirus outbreak.
BetterHelp – The counselors at BetterHelp believe that we all truly deserve to be happy.
This is one of the leading therapy apps in America that provides members with online access to licensed mental health professionals including therapists, marriage, and family counselors and relationship experts. BetterHelp is available online 24-hours a day. There is an affordable subscription fee for the service. The BetterHelp app is available as a free download on the Google Play Store and The App Store.
TalkSpace – Vows to provide mental health relief starting with a single message.
This is another leading provider of online therapy services. BetterHelp and Talkspace are often compared to each other as they provide similar services for online therapy via unlimited text and video messaging. Talkspace offers online access to board-certified therapy providers and starts with a weekly subscription plan that is more expensive than BetterHelp’s app. The Talkspace app is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play Stores.
7 Cups of Tea – Caring listeners, free emotional support
This is a free alternative for people who may just need someone to talk to. 7 Cups of Tea has a staff of trained listeners that are available online to provide emotional support. Chatting online with an emotional support representative is free at 7 Cups. They can also connect you with affordable online psychotherapy services if your needs go beyond what a listener can provide.
Free National and Local Mental Health Resources Online
NIH – National Institute of Mental Health
Domestic Violence Hotline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Now that you know where to reach out for help during these uncertain times, it’s up to you to take the next step and reach out for support.
Author Bio: Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
