8 AI Apps For Mental Health Support
Thanks to artificial intelligence and digital innovation across the globe, new opportunities have opened up for AI apps for mental health to improve the efficiency of mental health care.
To deal with the ever-increasing demand for mental health assistance during one of the most trying periods in recent history, app developers and mental healthcare professionals alike set out to help those in need Through the creation of AI apps for mental health support.
It can be difficult to picture any positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, upon investigating the possible silver linings of such an international disaster, you may find a significant increase in mental health awareness overall. With this increased awareness has come increased accessibility to help.
With an increase in mental health awareness and need for mental health assistance throughout the pandemic, artificial intelligence has come to the rescue in several respects. Several AI Apps for mental health assistance are bridging the gap between technology and in-person mental health assistance.
Is There An AI App For Mental Health?
Over the years, as technology and smartphone accessibility have improved, the usefulness of our mobile phone applications has increased significantly.
Smartphone apps have developed far beyond pure entertainment, such as games. There has recently been a noteworthy uptick in the number of apps available that are actually helpful to people in everyday life.
Another helpful trend has been the increased awareness of mental health concerns and the importance of caring for this often neglected aspect of the human condition.
Some of the apps for mental health are simple applications with very little interaction involved. However, some apps use artificial intelligence algorithms to provide real-time assistance to those in need. These clever applications use emotion-based artificial intelligence to help solve affordability issues and the general lack of access to high-quality mental healthcare.
The recent pandemic has largely catalyzed this increased awareness, as the prevalence of mental health issues reached somewhat record highs during the pandemic as people were faced with enormous uncertainty in every aspect of their lives, alongside isolation and severe economic difficulties.
Increased demand for mental healthcare assistance
Often lengthy waiting periods associated with obtaining professional help have created a gap in the market, providing an opportunity for technology to step in and assist where possible.
At the same time, artificial intelligence and digital innovations, in general, provide mental health support during the waiting period between the decision to seek mental health support and the point at which the desired help becomes available.
In the United Kingdom, for example, there can be a twelve-week waiting period to receive mental healthcare after you have decided to seek it out. This twelve-week period is, in most cases, in addition to the significant time already spent contemplating whether or not to seek help.
As you can imagine, waiting twelve weeks to receive the help you want can be highly detrimental to your mental health.
According to Plymouth University’s research on the real-world testing of mental health apps, this waiting period is particularly problematic when the person concerned is in a vulnerable mental state and would benefit from immediate assistance to prevent further damage to themselves and their mental health.
Previous versions of mental health applications provided simple exercises. They served as sources of information for the necessary help with mental health problems. However, with the advancement and development of artificial intelligence, new apps have developed to the point where they can provide clients with real-time assistance and emotionally intelligent technology.
A group of Stanford psychologists teamed up with AI experts to create a mood-tracking app to assist users with their mental health. The potential benefits of applications for mental health are discussed in this video.
What Are The Benefits Of AI Applications For Mental Health?
One of the biggest benefits of artificial intelligence applications for mental health is that they assist with bridging the gap before people can obtain the in-person help they need. This can be highly beneficial to give the person some assistance. At the same time, they wait to see a mental healthcare professional in person.
Artificial intelligence applications for mental health create the opportunity to offer a personalized experience for people struggling with their mental health or simply needing emotional support. This is achieved greatly with the assistance of big data and machine learning techniques.
The applications use information from thousands of sources to create a realistic and helpful user experience.
One of the difficulties for people seeking mental healthcare assistance is the idea of talking to a stranger about their most personal issues. This is especially true if the person in question has trust issues with others or the psychology profession. People in this position may struggle to open up to a psychologist in-person, with the result that they don’t enjoy the full range of benefits from this therapy.
Artificial Intelligence presents the unique opportunity to create a safe space for people who tend to be distrusting of other individuals. It creates a safe space where these people can fully express themselves and their inner feelings without fear of being judged. There is also less fear of the potential for anybody else to be listening to the conversations or judging them for whatever they say.
Artificial Intelligence applications for mental health also help real-world counselors to find the most appropriate and effective treatment protocols to help their patients.
One of the major benefits of artificial intelligence applications for mental health is the lower cost compared to in-person therapy. Application use generally costs a fraction of in-person psychotherapy sessions and is more accessible. All you need to do is pick up your phone and open the application when you need help.
This feature is particularly useful for those who are not upwardly mobile and may need to isolate themselves for various reasons.
Compliance Standards For AI Mental Health Apps
As apps have been developed, there has been growing concern over the potential for apps to trigger specific incidents in a person’s personal life. In addition, there has been significant concern over the applications mistaking certain signs for self-harm.
As a result, the National Health Service in the United Kingdom has sought to offer specific compliance standards to ensure that mental health applications can do more good and not cause any harm.
According to Tech Crunch, an application called “Wyza” is the first artificial intelligence application to comply with the National Health Service’s standards for clinical safety.
This AI app is designed to flag certain individual responses to establish potential self-harm, suicidal thoughts, abuse, or trauma. As such, the application then prompts clients or patients to call the crisis line to ensure they seek the urgent assistance they need.
AI Mental Health App
Wyza
“Wyza” is possibly the best-known mental health application. It features an Artificial Intelligence chatbot where users can open up about issues and receive sound advice. Wyza also offers self-care exercises that help provide mental health support.
The use of this app can help people manage their own mental health while simultaneously improving their mental wellbeing through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. The app uses not only cognitive behavioral therapy but also incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy and gratitude meditation.
These methods combine to assist users suffering from mental illness such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, sleep issues, and various other mental health problems. Through the application, users cannot only engage in effective talk therapy while being given direct assistance and advice but they are also taught how to manage their mental health on their own to alleviate their own symptoms.
Wyza is generally considered more emotionally intelligent than other mental health applications. The app’s artificial intelligence can respond with words of affirmation while guiding the user through different therapy techniques.
The application’s general approach is constantly refined through conversations with users and significant input from therapists. This ensures the application remains in line with industry expectations and remains helpful to all its users.
During a conversation between a user and the Wyza application, Wyza will carefully sort the user’s statements into categories. Once the application has sufficient information to the point where it understands the user, it will assign a specific type of therapy to the user to ensure they have been allocated the best type of therapy for their own benefit.
This therapy type is assigned based on the person’s responses throughout their interactions with the application. The next step is for the application to select a specific line of questioning or therapy. This will follow a specific therapy technique and will have been written ahead of time by professional therapists.
What makes this application so effective is how it has gained its insights. Over a hundred million conversations have been documented to allow the app to bring its insights to the user in a helpful, personalized, properly articulated, and highly relevant manner.
Other AI Apps For Mental Health
There are various artificial intelligence applications for mental health. The degree to which each app uses ai technology instead of simply serving as mental health information resource will differ significantly.
Some feature AI mental health chatbots, while others use pre-recorded information to offer assistance. Some of the AI mental health apps worth checking out include:
Woebot
Woebot is a digital mental health service that offers an AI-powered delivery of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Woebot was founded in 2016 by Alison Darcy, a clinical psychologist, and researcher at Stanford University.
Grounded in clinical research, Woebot is an Evidence-Based Treatment as classified by the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. The app has effectively reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in multiple clinical trials.
In one study, 68% of participants who used Woebot for two weeks reported feeling less depressed. Another study found that Woebot users experienced a significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms after four weeks. Overall, Woebot is an effective mental health service grounded in research and offers an AI-powered delivery of CBT.
Happify
Happify is an online tool that helps users improve their happiness and well-being. The site offers a variety of activities and games designed to increase positive emotions and decrease negative ones. Users can track their progress over time and set goals for themselves.
Happify also has a community aspect, where users can connect with others working on similar goals. Overall, Happify is a digital wellbeing app and helpful resource for anyone who wants to improve their general wellbeing. The site’s easy-to-use interface and engaging content make it a great way to boost your happiness levels. Give Happify a try today!
BioBeats
BioBeats is a health and wellbeing company that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to deliver personalized insights and recommendations. The company’s flagship product is a wearable device that tracks sleep, mood, heart rate, and other metrics to identify patterns and trends.
BioBeats also offers a mobile app that provides personalized recommendations based on the data collected by the device. The app can also be used to track progress and set goals. Some of the most popular features include tracking sleep patterns, monitoring heart rate, and receiving personalized recommendations.
Ginger
ginger.com is a self-guided care platform that provides mental health support and resources. The platform offers cognitive behavioral therapy, and effective treatment for anxiety and depression. In addition, users can also access meditation and breathing exercises to help people manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
The site has a community forum to connect users to one another where they can then share their experiences and seek support from others. The platform also provides various resources and tools to help users manage their mental health.
Ginger.com is a valuable resource for anyone struggling with mental health issues.
TalkSpac
TalkSpace is a therapy app that offers users the ability to receive professional counseling from the comfort of their own homes. The app is convenient and affordable, providing users with the tools they need to improve their mental well-being.
TalkSpace has helped many people overcome self-esteem issues, treat anxiety, and improve their mental health. The app is confidential and easy to use, and it offers users the chance to speak with a licensed therapist anytime, anywhere.
TalkSpace has helped countless individuals improve their mental health and is a valuable resource for anyone struggling with mental health issues.
MindDoc
The MindDoc app is a great tool for people looking to improve their mental well-being. The app provides users with information on various topics related to self-care and mental health. Interactive exercises can help users learn more about themselves and how to cope with different situations.
In addition, the app provides links to resources that can be used to improve mental well-being further. Overall, the MindDoc app is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to learn more about taking care of their mental health.
Heal My Life
Heal My Life is an app that can help you improve your mental health by teaching you how to relax and de-stress. The app offers a variety of features, including deep breathing exercises, gratitude meditations, guided meditations and other relaxation techniques.
Conclusion
In contemporary society, various artificial intelligence applications are built to assist with mental health issues. These apps help people with limited access to professional mental healthcare assistance.
While they can help people begin the process of healing while waiting for in-person assistance, these apps can serve as a fully-fledged resource that some people may use instead of in-person consultations. This will naturally depend on the severity of the mental health conditions.
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