Lift – Depression & Anxiety app

Lift – Depression & Anxiety app is designed for people struggling with anxiety and depression, to help equip them to better understand and manage their symptoms and lead a healthier life.

• The app draws from “acceptance and commitment therapy”, principles of mindfulness and more flexible thinking, Acceptance of emotions and life experiences, Connection to others and aligning behaviour with Values.
• Specifically, the app offers a daily animated video, which provides education about anxiety and depression and an interactive platform for processing emotions and thoughts.
• There is also the option for a daily check-in which requires answering questions about how you are feeling, specific emotions, nutritional wellness, mindfulness and spirituality, physical activity, human connection, sleep quality, and an option to make a journal entry, which is recorded.

With each activity the user acquires points and can earn badges (while these ‘rewards’ only have arbitrary meaning; they do acknowledge some achievement and may be motivating for some people).

The videos offer encouraging and positive messages about remaining hopeful and there is the option to engage in other resources, such as meditation audios, links to relevant TED talks and the ability to comment on forums and engage with others who are also using the apps.

There is the option to add people to the app who can become your support system and keep them informed of what you are doing on the app and reach out to when needed.

One of the latest features is and interactive AI ‘Wellness Coach”, who the user is able to interact with and ask questions. This feature allows for 30 free messages every month (and unlimited for users who have paid for a premium account).

There is also an “SOS” feature which can be used in an emotional crisis, which links to grounding strategies, such as meditation audios and coping statements. The SOS feature also outlines crisis phone lines and links to further professional assistance, but these are only relevant for US users and not accessible for NZ users.

For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

Clinical review

Reviewer: David Bloore, Clinical Psychologist, David Bloore Psychology Ltd (private practice)
Date of review: March 2024
Platform: Android (5.0 and up)
Version: 4.4.10 (last updated 20^th March 2024)
Comments: I think this app could be useful as a tool for someone already in therapy or had past therapy and needs a reminder of some tools or strategies. The videos are well made and app is interactive, which makes it engaging. The interactive features may also appeal more for a younger audience and those who are motivated by a token/reward system and want to connect with others online who are also struggling with similar life challenges. The added option to create a support system within the app and connection to online community is also a positive feature. The AI coach is quite a fun addition and was able to provide immediate answers to some specific questions. I would recommend it more for users who are experiencing low levels of anxiety and depression, but it may not be as helpful for people suffering for more severe anxiety or depression. And because the app is designed mainly for US users there are a number of features that are not relevant for a NZ audience.
Safety concerns: While I do not have particular safety concerns, I would note that the information offered that relates to crisis management services is not relevant to NZ users and rather NZ based users should familiarise themselves with the crisis management services that are operating in their local area.
NZ relevance concerns: The tools and resources in the app are relevant to a NZ audience, but the access to on-line therapy is only relevant for US clients and the app only references American based crisis services.