A new report, Digital & Mental Health Recovery Action Plans, has shown a rise in mental health app usage and searches during the pandemic and explains how, post pandemic, apps can play a supportive role in the national recovery. 

ORCHA, the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps, is the world’s leading app review service and provides app libraries for 70% of NHS regions.

The report gives insight into the country’s national mood during lockdown, revealing that app searches for key mental health issues rose dramatically. Along with increases in searches for anger, anxiety and fear, searches for depression rose by 156%, OCD rose by 422% and stress rose by 113%.

Those reaching out for digital support also looked for relaxation apps (437% increase in searches) and mindfulness apps (2483% increase).

Lockdown saw a 6500% increase in doctors searching for apps to recommend and prescribe alongside the dramatic increase in video and telephone consultations.

Founding CEO of ORCHA, Liz Ashall-Payne, said: “It’s essential we recognise the massive leap forward in the use of mental health apps by citizens during the pandemic, and increasing evidence of their popularity and efficacy. Research has found that digital therapies can achieve comparable outcomes to face to face therapy when the content is right.

“We’re seeing, increasingly, that mental health apps are particularly useful to those who are uncomfortable with a perceived stigma about receiving support. Young men and boys and key workers are two target areas needing extra support.

 “Our biggest worry is that despite the incredible progress in digital mental health aids, the majority of apps would still fail our ORCHA review process. Overall, only a third (32%) of apps score above our baseline of acceptability, which is 65%.”

ORCHA’s report flags that only a small percentage of apps for particular mental health conditions are considered clinically safe and secure from a data perspective. Only 14% of OCD apps pass muster, 20% of apps for bi-polar support, and 26% of apps relating to schizophrenia.

Ashall-Payne added: “Apps have so much to offer. We have to be on a mission to improve their quality overall and ORCHA works behind the scenes with app developers to do just that.”

The report concludes that the Government’s Mental Health Recovery Action Plan sets out plans for: new models of care; a £38 million investment in talking therapies; the need to give people more choice and autonomy over treatment; and the importance of supporting students and young people, who have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. In each one of these cases, health apps have the potential to support lives and provide significant returns on investment to a health service under pressure.

5 TOP FLIGHT MENTAL HEALTH APPS, RECOMMENDED BY ORCHA

Anxiety - 7 Cups: Anxiety & Stress Chat

Founded by a licensed psychologist, 7 Cups is 100% CONFIDENTIAL and offers over 160,000 trained listeners and licensed therapists to choose from. Listeners provide support across 189 countries and in 140 languages. 

ORCHA score: 79%. Available for iOS and Android. Free chat 24/7 or paid upgrades available for further features. 

Depression - Feeling Good: Positive Mindset.

This app uses relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy and resilience building techniques from sport to help improve positive feelings, self-esteem and self-confidence. The main offering is a 12-track positive mental programme which is available as an in-app purchase. 

ORCHA score: 79% Available for iOS and AndroidFree with additional in app purchases

Teen mental health - MeeToo

MeToo makes it easy to talk about difficult things and is for anyone aged 11+. Age banding means you chat with people who are a similar age to you, so you can get advice from people of a similar age. And every single post is checked by a moderator before it goes live, so there is no bullying, grooming or harassment. 

ORCHA score: 81%. Available for iOS and Android Free.

Sleep - Pzizz - Sleep, Nap, Focus

Pzizz helps you quickly quiet your mind, fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed. It uses  “dreamscapes” — a mix of music, voiceovers and sound effects designed using the latest clinical research — to help you sleep better at night or take power naps during the day. 

ORCHA score: 73% Available for iOS and Android Classic Pzizz is free. Pzizz Pro requires a subscription after a trial period.

Self-harm and suicide - distrACT

This app provides easy, quick and discreet access to general health information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. It helps you understand urges to self-harm and encourages you to monitor and manage your symptoms. There’s information on how best to work with healthcare professionals and safer alternatives to self-harming. 

ORCHA score: 81%. Available for iOS and Android Free.