Free mental health & daily living apps

Many people are spending more time on their computers and phones as the world shifts to digital communication and services. This means that web-based supports and tools are expanding – including mental health and daily living apps for smartphones and tablets.

Many mental health and daily living apps are designed to help people self-manage difficulties with mental health and daily activities. They can be helpful tools for people with brain injury.

These apps are not meant to be a replacement for therapy with qualified health professionals. If you find that an app, or a combination of apps, is not meeting your needs, talk do your doctor about other treatment options.

How to choose an app

The Mental Health Commission of Canada published a helpful infographic about what factors you should consider when selecting and using a mental health application. This can also be used for choosing other apps. Factors you should consider include:

  • Effectiveness
  • Usability
  • Security/Privacy
  • Purpose of the app
  • Inclusion
  • Price
  • Transparency

For more details, check out the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s infographic.

Mental health & daily living apps for Canadians

While there are many apps available to download, we’ve included a small selection here to get you started. Please keep in mind that you may be asked to make an account in order to login and use the application. While all the applications we have included here are free to download, they may offer additional features for a fee once you are in the app. They may also keep and use your personal information. 

CanPlan

Cost: Free

This app is specifically designed to help people with cognitive challenges complete tasks. It allows you to break a task into different steps, add photos for each step, provides audio prompts, and even lets you make task schedules.

CanPlan is one of the several apps developed by the CanAssist organization from the University of Victoria in British Columbia. These apps are designed to support independent daily living for individuals with disabilities.

Colorfy

Cost: Free, with in-app purchases

This app is an example of a digital colouring app. This can be a soothing activity. It can be done using your finger, so you don’t need any extra tools or space.

Happify

Cost: Free, with in-app purchases

Happify is an app that works to build a variety of positivity-related skills through activities and habits. Happify also has several built-in accessibility features.

You can find it in the Apple or Android app stores.

HealthyMinds

Cost: Free

This is an app specifically designed for students who are balancing life and school. It includes activities for calming down and managing stress.

Hope by CAMH

Cost: Free

Developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, this Canadian app is a suicide prevention toolkit that includes crisis resources. Users are able to create a personal safety plan in consultation with others, and access this plan whenever they need it.

MindShift

Cost: Free

MindShift is a free app that uses cognitive behaviour therapy strategies to help provide anxiety relief. It was built by and designed for Canadians. It includes features such as check-ins, symptom tracking, quick relief supports, and goal setting.

Nature Soundscapes

Cost: Free, with in-app purchases

Nature Soundscapes can be helpful in developing a healthy sleep routine by playing non-stop nature sounds.

RootD

Cost: Free, with in-app purchases

Panic attacks can be a common occurrence for people experiencing mental health and anxiety challenges. RootD is designed to help with panic attacks as they happen.

Virtual Hope Box

Cost: Free

This app is a grounding tool that has a variety of activities to help with relaxation and coping. These activities can be customized with content that the individual user chooses, such as family photos.

What’s Up?

Cost: Free

What’s Up? is an app that includes cognitive behavioural therapy strategies to help a person cope with mental health challenges.