Online Tools and Mobile Apps

Online Tools

Togetherall is a round-the-clock online peer support community provided through the Ontario Telemedicine Network where members can share experiences and express themselves in words and images, helping participants feel less socially isolated. Trained counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support and keep the community safe. 

SilverCloud Health is an on-demand virtual mental health platform - Delivering proven clinical outcomes at scale through virtual therapy and care.
 

Breaking Free Online is a free online support tool available to patients at Ontario Shores. It is completely confidential and can be accessed 24/7 on any desktop, tablet or smartphone. Learn more... 
 

BEACON is affordable online therapy that is guided by a registered mental health professional.  Begin with an online assessment after which a customized Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) care pathway will be created for you with up to 12 weeks of guidance from a therapist to address a range of mental health issues including mild to moderate depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, and insomnia.  

App Library

Jump to: Mood Disorder | Wellness | Anxiety | Trauma and PTSD | Suicide and Self Harm | Smoking Cessation | Alcohol-Related Disorder | Eating Disorder | Cognitive Disorder

Mood Disorder Apps
 

Daylio – Diary, Journal, Mood Tracker
Habitics (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Daylio helps users track their moods and the activities related to them, in order to better see patterns.

eQuoo
PsycApps Ltd. (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

This game-based app aims to help users develop emotional intelligence skills by choosing how fictional characters should respond to challenging situations. The app features different topics (such as openness, neuroticism, agreeableness, self-serving bias, extraversion, and reciprocity) in each level and users unlock more levels as they play the game.

MoodTools – Depression Aid
MoodTools (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Helps users with clinical depression improve their mood and functioning using six tools: information, videos for mood improvement, a thought diary, mood improvement activities, a symptom severity test (PHQ-9 depression questionnaire), and a safety plan.

MoodMission (2020)
MoodTools (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Users tell MoodMission how they’re feeling and receive a tailored list of five Missions to help users feel better and improve their wellbeing, including mindfulness and relaxation exercises, fitness activities, and gratitude exercises.

Sinasprite
Litesprite Inc. (2020) (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

This game-based app leads users are led through various exercises, including meditation, digital painting, and journaling, scheduling worries, and understanding locus of control.

SuperBetter
SuperBetter, LLC (2018)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

This game helps users to build resilience and stay motivated and optimistic to overcome real life challenges.
 

Anxiety Disorders Apps
 

Woebot
CBT for anxiety and depression
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

CBT for anxiety & depression

Wysa: Stress, depression & anxiety therapy chatbot
Touchkin (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Wysa is a chatbot that keeps track of your mood with friendly chats and helps fight stress and anxiety with a variety of tools and exercises, including calming meditation and mindfulness practices.

7 Cups: Anxiety & Stress Chat
7 Cups of Tea (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android
Provides a chat messaging platform (available via the app or a web browser) for users to receive emotional support and counselling through trained volunteers and self-help tools. There is also a fee-based option to speak with certified therapists.

MindShift CBT – Anxiety Canada
Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Designed to help users cope with anxiety. In addition to providing strategies to deal with everyday anxiety, this app also offers specific tools to tackle issues like social anxiety and perfectionism.

Sanvello for Stress, Anxiety & Depression (previously Pacifica)
Sanvello Health Inc. (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Offers tools to help ease stress and anxiety, including a daily mood tracker and relaxation audio recordings.

NOCD: Effective care for OCD
NOCD INC (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Designed for people with OCD who are undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Provides a variety of personalized features to complement ongoing treatment.

Wellness Apps
 

Calm: Meditate, sleep, Relax
Calm.com, Inc. (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Helps users reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and relax through the practice of mindfulness and meditation. Audio sessions range from 3 to 25 minutes, and the app tracks users’ daily streaks and time spent meditating.

Headspace: Meditation & Sleep 
Headspace Inc. (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Includes hundreds of guided meditations on a wide range of topics, including sleep, focus, and exercise. Users can track their progress and time spent meditating. The free version is limited, but users can subscribe for expanded offerings.

MyLife Meditation
Free with subscription options
Available on: iOS | Android

Allows users to rate their mood and be matched with mindfulness meditation exercises that may be helpful. Users can also track their moods over time to identify patterns. A version specifically for children is available on iOS only.p>

Thrive: Mental Wellbeing
Thrive Therapeutic Software Ltd
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Thrive: Mental Wellbeing is an evidence-based app to prevent and manage stress, anxiety, and related conditions.

Evernote
Evernote Corporation (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Evernote is a planner app that helps its users organize their work in multiple formats, syncs content across devices, and allows for sharing and collaboration. 

Mindfulness Coach
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Trauma and Stressor Related PTSD Apps
 

PTSD Coach Canada
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Supplies information and self-help tools that aid individuals to learn about and manage symptoms after trauma. Also includes direct links to support.

Suicide & Self Harm Apps
 

Hope by CAMH
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

This app will guides users through creating a personalized suicide safety plan to help when users are feeling sad or hopeless, or experiencing thoughts of suicide. The plan can be developed together with a healthcare professional, but can also be built with the help of another trusted person. There is also general information on suicide prevention and crisis and support resources.

Virtual Hope Box
National Center for Telehealth & Technology (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Includes tools to help people suffering from depression with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. This app can be used in collaboration with a mental health provider to address specific problem areas.

Calm Harm
Stem4 (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Using principles from dialectical behaviour therapy, this app directs the user to “ride the wave” of the urge to self-harm. The user can choose 5 or 15 minute blocks of different activities to overcome urges as they arise.

Stay Alive
Grassroots -Suicide Prevention (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Includes suicide prevention resources, a safety plan, customizable reasons for living, and a “life box” where users can store photos that are important to them. 

Smoking Cessation Apps
 

QuitGuide – Quit Smoking
ICF International (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Tracks cigarette cravings and moods, monitors progress toward milestones, and identifies triggers and strategies to deal with them.

My QuitBuddy
Australian National Preventive Health Agency (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Includes customizable goals for different stages of readiness to quit smoking. Helps users set goals and stay motivated by achieving manageable milestones.

Smoke Free – Quit Smoking Now
David Crane (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Keeps track of money saved from being smoke free and the number of cigarettes avoided. Provides information to help deal with cravings, and demonstrates how users’ health is improving over time.

My Change Plan
CAMH
Free
Available on: iOS 

My Change Plan helps you quit or reduce smoking. It was developed by clinicians and researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)’s Nicotine Dependence Clinic and the University of Toronto and tested by clients trying to quit smoking. The App is based on an evidence-based booklet developed at CAMH.

Quash
Lung Health Foundation
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Quash smoking or vaping! Change is a process, not an event. The Quash app helps you progress through each stage of the quit process. Remember, long-lasting change is more likely when it's self-motivated and rooted in positive thinking.

Alcohol-Related Disorder Apps
 

AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker
Myrecek (2018)
Free
Available on: Android

Tracks alcohol consumption, helps users maintain a drink diary, and calculates blood alcohol content. Allows users to monitor drinking habits and set goals.

Daybreak – Alcohol Support
Hello Sunday Morning (2020)
Free 3-week trial, monthly and annual subscriptions available after trial ($$$ monthly). *See app description for information about sponsorship if cost is a concern.
Available on: iOS | Android

Daybreak is funded by the Australian Department of Health and offers professional “coaches” to help users get control of their drinking habits. Users are encouraged to make changes based on their goals and motivations through tailored activities, and contribute to the online support community.

Drink Less
Robert West (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS

Drink Less was created by a team of behavioural scientists at University College London. The app allows users to keep track of their drinking and how it changes over time, set goals for the targets that are important to them, play games designed to strengthen their resolve to drink less alcohol, and create plans to deal with situations where they may be tempted to drink.

Triggr Health
Triggr, LLC (2019)
Free
Available on: Android

Promotes addiction recovery and is focused on reducing substance dependence for a range of drugs, including alcohol, opioids, and methamphetamine.

Nomo – Sobriety Clocks
Parker Stech (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Monitors sobriety time, provides “chip” awards for recovery milestones, and tracks money saved over time.

Rise Up + Recover
Recovery Warriors (2015)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Helps users track their meals, moods, and factors that affect problematic eating behaviours. Offers tips related to recovery around a variety of themes, including body image, journal activities, mindfulness, relationships.

Cognitive Disorder Apps
 

BrainHQ
Posit Science (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Provides brain exercises that adapts to each user, getting more challenging as performance improves. The free version of the app includes one exercise every day. For full access, a subscription is required.

CogniFit Brain Fitness
CogniFit Inc. (2019)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Uses brain exercises to evaluate and improve users’ cognitive abilities. Includes brain challenges, memory games, puzzles, intelligence games, educational, and learning games.

Total Brain
MyBrainSolutions (2020)
Free
Available on: iOS | Android

Measures the 12 brain capacities associated with mental health and screens for the risk of common mental conditions.

References

This list was informed by Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health Mobile Apps Directory. 

Mental Health Resources

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/index.shtml
The National Institute of Mental Health is an agency that conducts research on mental disorders. Their website provides a variety of information on mental illness from statistics, brochures/fact sheets, resources, and information on clinical trials. To aid in the education and awareness of mental health disorders, they provide access to free educational and outreach materials that can be used to spread awareness and insight.

https://mindyourmind.ca/

This organization is unique in that it uses the knowledge, expertise, and life experience of youth aged 14-29, to co-create the programs, services, and tools that they offer. The resources and services offered are geared towards different levels of crisis or intervention: help for yourself, help for a friend, being in immediate crisis, needing someone to talk to, and being unsure of what’s wrong. There is access to a variety of tools, resources, illness information, blogs, downloadable PDF’s such as self-care books, journals and guides, and expression through stories, poetry, artwork, and videos.

http://www.211ontario.ca/
This resource is another searchable database that provides resources for a variety of topics including mental health and addiction that links users to resources in their area. Topics include: family services, employment/training, disabilities, health care, homelessness, income support, youth, and many more. The topics provide more detailed information and links to resources such as programs, crisis lines, hospitals, help centers, and support groups. There is also the option to chat with highly-trained specialists via phone, email, or live chat.

https://cmha.ca/document-category/mental-health
The Canadian Mental Health Association is the most well-known and established community mental health organization. They strive to encourage the education of mental health, prevent mental illness, support the recovery concept, and is accessible to all Canadians. They offer brochures in downloadable and printable formats that cover a variety of topics such as: anxiety disorders, depression (adults/children), mental illness and substance use, eating disorders, anger issues, and much more. Users can assess their mental health using the assessments to determine their stress level, work-life balance, etc.

https://www.ementalhealth.ca/
This resource is a searchable database that provides information and links to mental health resources in your area. Mental health conditions and topics can be selected from an alphabetical list which brings the user to a results page that can then be narrowed down by organization/service, info sheets, screening tools, and external links. The website also has access to portals for Medical Students and Primary Care Providers which provides more specific and advanced information for a variety of mental health disorders.