Self-help with wellbeing apps

​Wellbeing apps are a good way to access tips and tools to help improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Here are some great free apps we'd recommend having a look at.

Free wellbeing apps for NHS staff

Unmind logo  

Unmind

Helps with: stress, sleep, coping, connection, fulfilment and nutrition for NHS staff

How can it help: Unmind empowers you to proactively improve your mental wellbeing using scientifically-backed assessments, tools and training.

Getting started: visit the Unmind website to sign up with your NHS email address before you download the app for free.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Headspace logo

Headspace: Meditation and Sleep

Helps with: Mindfulness

How can it help: Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing you with a number of short daily mindfulness practices to help you reduce stress, build resilience and sleep more peacefully.

Getting started: NHS staff can sign up for free by visiting the headspace website.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

SilverCloud logo  

SilverCloud (Talking Therapies)

Helps with: stress, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, resilience, money worries, alcohol, dealing with challenging times, panic, sleep

How can it help: SilverCloud offers online programmes that help you learn how to manage stress, low mood, anxiety, improve your sleep and more. With SilverCloud for Staff from Wellbeing Matters, you can choose to do SilverCloud supported by a Talking Therapies practitioner, or anonymously through our self-help option.   

Getting started: Access SilverCloud for staff any time, on your laptop, smartphone or any device you use to go online. After you've signed up, download the free SilverCloud mobile app from Apple Store or Google Play, to make your programmes even easier to access on the go.

Shiny Mind logo. Shows the words 'Shiny Mind' with a star in place of the letter 'i' on the word Shiny

Shiny Mind (for NHS Nurses, Midwives, Healthcare Support Workers)

Helps with: Wellbeing and stress management

How can it help: Support 24/7 with over 150 interactive tools, tips and activities that adapt to you, including: 
Masterclasses, 5 minute SOS, journaling, daily boost, meditation, breathing, community messages. 94% say ShinyMind helps them feel better. "A hug in an app"
"It feels like you have an extra resource, something to call on during times of stress or worry". 

Getting started: Download app and sign up with your work email from an NHS Trust in England. Find out more

Download it from the App Store

Download it from Google Play

Free wellbeing apps for the BAME community

   The Safe Place logo

The Safe Place

Helps with: mental health support for the Black community

How can it help: The Safe Place offers support, exercises, podcasts and general information about mental health for the Black community.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Minds of the culture logo

Minds of the Culture

Helps with: mental health support for the Black community

How can it help: Minds of the Culture is designed by Dr Chanda Reynolds and offers a mood journal, blogs and videos along with a directory of black therapists to support the Black community.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple store

Free wellbeing apps for anyone

All of our recommended apps have been quality checked by our own clinicians.

Mindshift logo

Mindshift CBT

Helps with: anxiety and stress

How can it help: Mindshift CBT is a free self-help anxiety relief app that helps you reduce worry, stress and panic by following evidence-based strategies. 

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Fear Tools logo

FearTools - Anxiety Aid

Helps with: anxiety

How can it help: FearTools offers evidence based self-help to combat anxiety, including access to a thought diary, exposure exercises and breathing techniques. 

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

    Worry Tree logo

Worry Tree

Helps with: worry

How can it help: The Worry Tree app aims to help you take control of worry wherever you are. Use the app to record the things you're worried about and access cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help you notice and challenge those worries, along with creating an action plan to help you manage worry.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Catch it logo

Catch it

Helps with: anxiety and depression

How can it help: Catch it will teach you how to look at problems in a different way, turning negative thoughts into positive ones and improving your mental wellbeing. 

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Wrap logo  

WRAP - Wellness Recovery Plan

Helps with: all mental health

How can it help: WRAP lets you create your own personalised plan to help keep you well by recording what makes life more difficult for you and what helps you - you can then email this to anyone you want to have a copy.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

   Living life to the full logo

Living Life to the Full

Helps with: low mood, stress and resilience

How can it help: Living Life to the Full offers free online courses to help you understand your feelings and their causes, build your confidence and find solutions to help you feel happier or calmer.

Getting started:  visit the Living Life to the Full website and register for a course.

   Centre for Clinical Interventions logo

The Centre for Clinical Intervention

Helps with: all mental health

How can it help: CCI has a catalogue of self-help materials to help you understand and tackle a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and eating disorders.

Getting started: visit the CCI website and get started with free resources.

   Bright Sky logo

Hestia Bright Sky

Helps with: domestic abuse

How can it help: Bright Sky is dedicated to helping anyone in an abusive or violent relationship find local and national support services. 

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Insight logo

Insight Timer

Helps with: Mindfulness

How can it help: Learn to relax and manage everyday life in the present moment through one or more of the 1,000s of free meditations available from a variety of countries and renowned mindfulness teachers.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone (courses are paid).

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

MoodTools logo  

MoodTools - Depression Aid

Helps with: mood management

How can it help: MoodTools lets you easily track and record your mood, helps identify what things are having an impact on your mood, and suggests activities you could try to improve your mood.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Calm harm logo

Calm Harm

Helps with: self-harm and suicidal thoughts

How can it help: find practical tips and strategies for managing and resisting the urge to self-harm, including a personal journal and self-monitoring tools.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

    Grassroots suicide prevention - Stay alive. Circular logo with blue text on a white background, with an orange border

#StayAlive

Helps with: suicide prevention

How can it help: The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource. You can use it if you're having thoughts of suicide or are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. It has resources, a safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a life box to store your photos that are important to you.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

Web version - if you don't have access to a phone, or if you prefer to use a laptop or PC

   App logo of a blue speech bubble. A green speech bubble. A white rounded cross.

DistrACT

Helps with: self-harm and suicidal thoughts

How can it help: DistrACT offers easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice created by doctors and relevant experts about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. 

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

    Sleepful. Helping you Sleep. Blue logo with two white clouds and white text with dark blue outline.

Sleepful

Helps with: sleep

How can it help: Sleepful offers courses based on proven cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help you get a good nights sleep.

Getting started: download the app and log in, it's free for everyone.

Download it from the Apple Store

Download it from Google Play

SilverCloud logo  

SilverCloud (with Talking Therapies)

Helps with: stress, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, resilience, money worries, alcohol, dealing with challenging times, panic, sleep

How can it help: SilverCloud offers online programmes that help you learn how to manage stress, low mood, anxiety, improve your sleep and more. With SilverCloud for Staff from Wellbeing Matters, you can choose to do SilverCloud supported by a Talking Therapies practitioner, or anonymously through our self-help option.   

Getting started: Access SilverCloud for staff any time, on your laptop, smartphone or any device you use to go online. After you've signed up, download the free SilverCloud mobile app from Apple Store or Google Play, to make your programmes even easier to access on the go.

 

If you need urgent mental health support and advice:

  • Call NHS 111 for physical or mental health emergencies (available 24/7)
  • Samaritans: call 116 123 (available 24/7)
  • SHOUT85258: text 'SHOUT' to 85258 (available 24/7)

Always dial 999 in an emergency or, to contact the Police in a non-emergency, use  101.