Mood management apps: What apps can help me manage my mood and anxiety?

Taking care of your kids in addition to your elderly parents must be very challenging, so it is completely understandable that you are feeling burnt out. If you think you are experiencing signs of depression and/or an anxiety disorder, we strongly encourage you to call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to speak with a health services navigator who can connect you with the appropriate health care provider. You may also want to contact your Regional Health Authority, as they can likely provide you with information on home support services, community resources, and respite options for your parents, if appropriate. This will allow you more time to take care of yourself. 

In the meantime, here are some direct links to apps that are designed to lessen negative feelings and to improve mood:

For Apple devices (direct links to App Store):

• MoodTools is a free app that is designed to help alleviate negative moods and to target depression. This tool, which was designed in collaboration with mental health professionals, not only provides education about risk factors and approaches to treatment for depression, it also offers a depression symptom questionnaire and meditation guides.
• MoodKit is an app that offers more than 200 mood improvement activities that provide suggestions and tips on how to improve your mood. This app, which costs about $7 (CDN), also allows you to manage negative feelings by identifying and modifying the thoughts that contribute to negative thinking. 
• Sanvello offers a range of tools designed to help break cycles of negative thoughts. Additionally, this app allows you to seek support from Sanvello’s peer support community. This app can be downloaded for free, or you can purchase a subscription for full-access to meditation and mindfulness practices, which costs about $12 (CDN) per month.

For Android devices (direct links to Google Play):

• MoodTools is a free app that is designed to help alleviate negative moods and to target depression. This tool, which was designed in collaboration with mental health professionals, not only provides education about risk factors and approaches to treatment, it also offers a depression symptom questionnaire and meditation guides.  
• Daylio – Diary, Journal, Mood Tracker keeps tracks of your moods throughout the day, allowing you to understand patterns and activities that improve or worsen your mood. This app costs about $2 to $4 (USD). 
• Sanvello offers a range of tools designed to help break cycles of negative thoughts. Additionally, this app allows you to seek support from Sanvello’s peer support community. This app can be downloaded for free, or you can purchase a subscription for full-access to meditation and mindfulness practices, which costs about $12 (CDN) per month.