| Kalda LGBTQIA+ Mental Health app | By Kalda |
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Features
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Clinical review |
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| Security and privacy | Does the app:
Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: |
| Cost |
Basic version is free, but there is a paid upgrade version. Cost at the time of review: $74.99 yearly (Kalda premium – $6.25 per month), or $15.99 monthly See the app website(external link) for details of cost. |
| Advertisements | This app contains ads. The ads pop up after user begins a selected course and reads as 'one time offer'. |
| How to get the app |
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Kalda LGBTQIA+ Mental Health app
Kalda LGBTQIA+ Mental Health app
- An app for those 18 years and over and anyone requiring specifically queer mental health support and/or exploring, questioning or affirming their gender and/or sexuality identities.
The Kalda LGBTQIA+ Mental Health app contains self-guided video therapy programmes around varying themes, for example, a featured session titled ‘Exploring your sexuality’ and a ‘Daily habits’ section that includes daily affirmations and opportunities for self-reflection. The title page of the app is warm and colourfully inviting and headlined with the words ‘Loud and Proud’ which immediately draws the queer or queer-questioning person in.
There are also ‘Course sets’, for example ‘Overcoming anxiety and depression within six weeks’ which is a mixture of videos and journalling.
The video therapy sessions use various evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, DBT, MBCT and neuroscience.
For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.
This section is based on the free version of the app.
| PROS | CONS |
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✔ Vibrant, user-friendly and colourful. Clear queer, diverse, visible presenters and very intuitive and easy to use. ✔ Video content consistently positively affirms queer identity throughout. ✔ The subtitles are helpful. |
✘ Western health models used only which may act as a barrier for many Takatapui, MVPFAFF+ and BiPoC queer people from connecting with the app. . ✘ The course lessons clearly demarcate the sessions that are free with an open-unlocked padlock icon (often the first two lessons). For those who wish to continue access, payment is required to unlock the padlock icon signalling payment. ✘ The lack of older queer visible presenters may put older queer people off from connecting to the content. ✘ Accessibility may be difficult if you don't use English as a first language. |
Clinical review
Reviewer: Anny da Silva Freitas (they/them), Counsellor, Therapist – (MNZAC, AAGSRDT)
Date of review: April 2025. This section is based on the free version of the app.
Platform: Android
Comments: Overall, the layout of the app is colourful, friendly, warm and inviting and, from the very beginning, clearly visibly queer and diverse.
The psychoeducational information contained in the lessons is user-friendly and non-pathologising and helps to inform and normalise the importance of each queer person's journey as being unique to the person with no pressure to conform. It also provides opportunities for guided self-care in the form of breathing exercises and tailored positive queer affirmations. The integrated journaling opportunities also support a client-centred and self-developmental approach.
I would recommend this app to my young queer adult clients who are interested in guided psychoeducational information.
Safety concerns: Yes. The only concern I have is if someone is seeking mental health support when feeling mentally distressed, for example suicidal, as there are no Aotearoa New Zealand based helplines available on the app. All the support helpline numbers are UK-based numbers only.
New Zealand relevance: Yes, the app is relevant to a New Zealand audience, however, my concern is that there is lacking intersectionality references to Takatapui or MVPFAFF+ and use of ‘Te Ao Māori’ / matauranga Māori holistic health models utilised for example - ‘Te Whare Tapa Wha’ and that may hinder those from utilising and connecting to the app.
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Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly. |
Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
