Mindshift app | By the Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia |
Features
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Country of origin | Canada |
Clinical review |
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Security and privacy | Does the app:
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Cost | Free |
How to get the app |
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MindShift app
MindShift app
- An app to help teenagers and young adults cope with anxiety.
In Mindshift app users learn cognitive behavioural tools and strategies to manage different types of anxiety. In particular, users can find help with general worry, social anxiety, perfectionism, panic and phobias. The app allows users to rate and keep track of their anxiety levels and provides three different types of strategies including thinking strategies, relaxation and mindfulness and behavioural strategies for overcoming anxiety.
For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.
PROS | CONS |
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✔ Comprehensive education section on each type of anxiety addressed by the app. |
✘ Emergency helplines are based in Canada and the USA.
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Clinical review
Reviewer: Kris Garstang, Clinical Psychologist, Life Mind Psychology
Date of review: April 2022
Version: 3.0.2
Platform: Android
Comments: Mindshift app offers brilliant self-guided treatment for generalised anxiety, perfectionism, social anxiety, panic disorder and specific phobias. It uses tried and true cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies which are not only well supported by research, but used by clinical psychologists all over the world as treatment for anxiety disorders. The app is attractive and easy to use and has the added bonus of a safe and supportive online forum where users can go to get support from other anxiety sufferers. I have no hesitation in recommending it to people suffering from the types of anxiety it offers help with, and to those who support them.
NZ relevance: Relevant to a New Zealand audience but emergency contact details are very general unless the person is in Canada or the USA.
Safety concerns: None, however, emergency contact details are very general unless the person is in Canada or the USA.
Clinical review
Reviewer: Abbi Pritchard Jones, Adult mental health social worker
Date of review: August 2017
Version: 1.2.3
Platform: Android
Comments: This app is most useful for people who experience anxiety. It is an extensive resource on the causes and management of anxiety. It is easy to use and provides insights that will be useful to people in real life situations. I liked the “Quick Tips” section that appears on every page of the app and provides instant strategies for managing anxiety. Also very useful are the mindfulness and breathing audio talk through exercises. While the app is comprehensive, this may put some people off and they may find its various sections a bit confusing to navigate. The app’s overall design is not the best and it would benefit from an overhaul to make it more pleasing to the eye and manageable.
Safety concerns: None
New Zealand relevance: The helpline numbers in the app are for Canadian users.
MindShift website(external link)
MindShift(external link) review on myhealthapps.net
Bakker D, Kazantzis N, Rickwood D, et al. Mental health smartphone apps – review and evidence-based recommendations for future developments(external link) JMIR Ment Health. 2016 Mar 1;3(1):e7.
Van Singer M, Chatton A, Khazaal Y. Quality of smartphone apps related to panic disorder(external link) Front Psychiatry 2015 Jul 14;6:96.
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. |
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