Unlike in the past, when mental health issues were largely associated with adults, today’s statistics paint a different picture. According to the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), a whopping 15.1% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 years suffered from a major depressive episode in 2019 -2020 [ Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health.] Further, about 36.7% of teens reported to have experienced a feeling of hopelessness or sadness for a persistent period. Although mental health is a concern for everyone, special attention is needed for teenagers because their developing brains are progressively learning about the complex dynamics of the world. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, the good news is that modern technology has something good for you. Mental health apps for teens, with the help of other supportive tools like the FlashGet Kids parental control app. It can help you promote better mental health and well-being among your teens.
Understanding teen mental health
Mental problems common among teens
Depression and Anxiety:
The huge pressure to cope and fit in society, navigate complex emotions, and succeed in academics can easily trigger feelings of depression. Teens are more likely to experience constant worry, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep and appetite, and a great sense of hopelessness.
Eating Disorders:
The desire to fit in the societal image, i.e., body image. It can result in distorted self-perception and hence lead to unhealthy eating habits like bulimia or anorexia
Self-Harm:
To deal with huge emotions such as anger, frustration, or sadness. Some teens find themselves turning to self-harm practices such as burning, cutting, or other deliberate acts of inflicting physical pain on themselves.
What are the contributing factors to mental problems among teens?
Social Media: The constant comparison among teens on the social media platforms can fuel negative impact on kids self-esteem. For instance, the constant feeling of unrealistic expectations, inadequacy, cyberbullying, and social isolation can further accelerate anxiety and depression.
Huge academic responsibilities: The escalating pressure from parents to perform well in school can lead to intense stress and anxiety from the fear of not meeting personal goals or disappointing parents.
Extracurricular Pressures: Teens feel obligated to engage in multiple activities in school to “look good” or pass college applications. This can result in a very busy schedule for teens, leaving them with little or no time to relax or self-care.
How do mental problems impact teens
Mental Health Struggles: This results in increased incidences of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even self-harm on the extreme side. This can significantly impact a teen’s overall development and well-being.
Impaired social relationships: The escalating pressure to succeed and conform to social standards can strain teen family and friendship relationships, leading to social isolation or withdrawal.
Poor academic performance. Mental health issues often have a big impact on performance in education. Teens struggle to concentrate, and decreased motivation leads to poor academic performance. This can further trigger more anxiety and stress.
Physical Health: When a teen realizes that coping mechanisms are no longer helping them deal with their situation, they can turn to self-harm, such as cutting, among others. Medical intervention, guidance, and support are necessary to help the teen recover from such damage.
Benefits of mental health Apps for teens
While traditional therapy offers invaluable resources, it can, however, be time-consuming, expensive, or even carry a stigma to some teens. To deal with this sensitive matter, mental health apps are emerging to be very effective tools to help deal with the challenges of traditional therapy when addressing teen mental health issues.
- Convenience and accessibility:
Mental health apps are easy to download and install on smartphones, which teens usually take almost everywhere. This enables convenient and discreet support access while offering much-needed resources anytime.
- Privacy and anonymity:
Many health apps offer a secure space for teens to anonymously explore and express their concerns and emotions. This can be especially appealing to teens reluctant to open up to other peers or adults due to the fear of misunderstanding or judgment.
- Gamification and self-paced:
Apps usually offer interactive exercises, educational modules, and mood trackers that enable teens to work on their own targets and pace. Gamification elements like badges and points can help teens practice healthy habits and learn coping mechanisms.
- Tracking and self-awareness:
Mood tracking tools can offer a great way for people to identify patterns in their behaviors and emotions. This enables them to trace their triggers for low moods and anxiety and develop strategies for managing them effectively.
- Develop coping skills:
Many apps provide guided exercises, especially relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing.
- Peer Support:
Some apps include moderated online communities that allow teens to connect with others going through similar experiences. This can help foster a sense of belonging and hence reduce isolation. However, it’s important to go for apps with strong moderation to avoid exposure to negativity and ensure safety.
10 mental health Apps for teens
Although there are hundreds of mental health Apps for teens today, not all Apps offer the best guidance regarding teens’ mental health issues. To help narrow your list, we’ve composed the top 10 mental health Apps for teens, each showing the App’s features, pros, and cons.
1. Headspace
Features: The app Headspace offers guided mindfulness and meditation exercises. Teebs can set bedtime sounds and sleeping aids to help them deal with insomnia, which is common among mentally struggling teens. Anxiety and stress management tool. Progress tracking and daily reminders help keep track of what’s on track and not based on the pre-set goals and objectives.
Pros:
- It offers a wide range of content.
- User-friendly interface.
- Ideal for any experience level.
- Scientifically backed practices.
Cons:
- It’s a subscription-based program that provides full access.
- Some repetitive content may feel boring to go through.
- Limited customization options.
2. Calm
Features: The app offers well-guided meditations to help teens who are struggling with anxiety and depression. It also includes sleep stories to help teens struggling with sleep disorders. The breathing programs help the body relax and feel at peace within. It also offers nature sounds and relaxing music to keep the surrounding environment in a cool mood and thus help the mind relax.
Pros:
– Excellent sleep aids.
– High-quality, diverse content.
– Regular updates to feature new content.
Beautiful and intuitive design.
Cons:
– Subscription required for most features.
– Some users may find the interface overwhelming.
– It can be expensive compared to other apps.
3. Mes Assurances
Features:
Personalized mental health resources. Access to licensed therapists.Health tracking and reporting tools. Medication management.
Pros:
- Comprehensive support system.
- Professional therapy options.
- Customizable health tracking.
- Integrated approach to mental health.
Cons:
- Limited availability in some regions.
- It is highly costly unless there is insurance coverage.
- The interface feels to be more clinical.
4. Apart of Me
Apart from Me is the App to visit when you feel lonely. It offers some of the most interactive games and stories to help you bring back your moods after a series of serious engagements. This is particularly concerning when someone is dealing with loss and grief since the app offers coping strategies and guided reflections. The app also features a safe and supportive community where teens can interact with other teens going through similar experiences.
Pros:
– Unique focus and support on grief
– Interactive and engaging content
– Free to use
– Developed with the support of mental health experts
Cons:
– Limited to loss and grief support.
– It is very comprehensive compared to other apps.
– Game-based approaches are less effective to some.
5. Sanvello
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques offer an effective way of dealing with mood disorders among teens. The app also offers health and mood tracking to help you keep track of your progress. Guided meditations and journeys also enable teens to keep their minds engaged and, hence, avoid anxiety and depression. Community support ensures interaction among teens facing the same issues.
Pros:
- Evidence-based techniques.
- Supportive community features.
- Comprehensive tracking tools.
- Flexible and customizable.
Cons:
- Subscription to access full features.
- Complex interface.
- It’s not very visually appealing compared to other apps.
6. Smiling Mind
For effective and well-organized meditation and mindfulness progress, try the Smiling Mind app. Its age-specific content for teens and children ensures kids get the right information to manage mood disorders and stress. The app also has plenty of educational resources for families and school-going teens.
Pros:
– Free to use.
– Easy and simple to navigate.Age-appropriate content.
– Strong focus on educational resources.
Cons:
– Less content variety when compared to other apps.
– The basic interface and design are making it less intuitive.
– Limited advanced features.
7. SuperBetter
SuperBetter’s main focus on a game-based approach enables teens and children to build resilience and boost their mental capacity. Daily quests and challenges also ensure teens keep their minds engaged. The tracking feature enables teens to keep a record of their progress.
Pros:
- Engaging and fun format.
- Encourages resilience and positive habits.
- Research-backed effectiveness.
- Free to use.
Cons:
- A game-based approach is not ideal for everyone.
- Limited coverage of content.
- Basic interface.
8. HappiMe
Features: The app offers a positive psychology exercise with its CBT-based tools and activities. The journaling and mood tracking enables you to keep record of your previous and current achievements. It also has educational material for both teachers and parents to help their teens deal with their day-to-day challenges including anxiety and depression.
Pros:
– Free to use.
– Emphasis on positive psychology.
– Engaging and user-friendly interface.
– Comprehensive educational resources and support for teachers and parents.
– Comprehensive support for parents and teachers
Cons:
– Limited content compared to other apps
– Basic design
– May not suit all age groups
9. MyLife (formerly Stop, Breathe & Think)
Features: The app offers guided mindfulness and meditations exercises for teens to engage in useful activities. Besides, the personalized recommendation and mood check-in ensure you get a reflection of your mind and moods. Sleep aid programs help teens struggling with insomnia from depression and anxiety.
Pros:
- Personalized recommendations.
- Free basic version.
- Wide range of meditation options.
- Simple and intuitive interface.
- Wide range of meditation options.
Cons:
- Subscription to access full access.
- Technical issues, as reported by some users.
- Limited community features.
10. Feeling Good Teens
Features: Feeling Good Teens is a mental health app that offers one of the best CBT-based audio programs. The mood-boosting exercises help keep teens high in moods to avoid the frequent feeling of hopelessness and sadness.
Pros:
– Offers evidence-based techniques.
– User-friendly interface and audio format.
– Free to use.
– Developed with help of mental health professionals.
Cons:
– Has only audio content.
– Basic interface.
Integrating mental health strategies using FlashGet Kids
While mental health apps can be very beneficial to teens struggling with mental health issues, they are often not enough on their own. It’s important for parents and guardians to incorporate other parenting methods such as parental control, support and seeking mutual understanding between the parent and the teen. Today, parents are also opting for third-party parental control apps like FlashGet Kids app to actively monitor their teen’s device usage, daily activities among others. By actively reviewing social media interactions and text messages, parents can identify issues teens could otherwise be reluctant to discuss openly with parents.
Here’s how FlashGe Kids app can help parents whose teens are struggling with mental health issues.
- Screen Time: By monitoring and setting limits on screen time, parents can ensure their teens maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities. This helps prevent excessive screen use, which can negatively impact mental health.
- Screen Mirroring: This feature lets parents view their children’s device screens in real time. It provides insight into what content their children consume and how they interact with others online, helping parents immediately address any concerning behavior or content.
- Usage Reports: Detailed reports on app usage and screen time give parents an overview of their children’s digital habits. By analyzing these reports, parents can identify patterns that may indicate mental health issues, such as excessive use of social media or gaming.
- Activity Monitoring: Parents can stay informed about their children’s interactions on various platforms. This awareness can help them detect early signs of distress or problematic behavior, enabling timely intervention and support.
Final words
By combining Mental Health Apps and FlashGet Kids apps, parents can create a supportive environment that promotes their teens mental well-being, while also staying informed and involved in their digital lives. It’s time to check your teens mental health , embrace preventive measures like screen time management, ensure safe online interactions using FlashGet Kids app besides other mental apps as we’ve discussed above.
