We're aware of a problem when trying to use Zero Data to link to Healthify. Zero Data is managed by Health NZ and we are working with them to get this fixed.

Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days

Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days app

An app for young adults and adults who feel overwhelmed or stressed in their current situation.
While the app may be useful for some adults the content and style of app is probably most relevant for young people of high school age.

Print this page

Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days app	By University of Auckland
	Features Teaches self-help skills. Interactive touch screen. Tracking. Reminders. Graphs and reporting.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Require a login? Have password protection? Have a privacy policy? Require internet access to use? Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

The Whitu app consists of a 7 day plan which has been clinically designed to help young people and adults who feel overwhelmed or stressed in their current situation. You can learn useful skills to identify and manage emotions as they arise, and techniques for improving your mental health. You can also learn to work through a process of setting goals and reviewing your progress.

The 7 modules to support young people and adults to learn and practice evidence-based coping skills include:

identifying and rating emotions
relaxation
gratitude
mindfulness
staying connected
physical care
goal setting.

While the app may be useful for some adults the content and style of app is probably most relevant for young people of high school age. The app is specific to an Aotearoa New Zealand audience as it uses local voices and Māori language and symbols, and uses a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing. For a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Audio clips are well paced. ✔ Has text transcripts that follow the audio. ✔ Clear and concise explanation of each of the modules. ✔ Gives a great introduction of evidence-based psychological tools and treatments in short, easy to understand modules. ✔ Covers main psychotherapy techniques, eg, mindfulness, relaxation, kindness and gratitude. ✔ Creative way to show progress using a growing tree, so users can visualise their journey. ✔ Attractive graphics.	✘ If you exit out of a module, you have to restart the module. However it's easy to navigate through the audio tracks to manually resume your previous progress. ✘ Some references to the COVID-19 pandemic may be less relevant than they were in 2020/2021.

PROS

CONS

✔ Audio clips are well paced.

✔ Has text transcripts that follow the audio.

✔ Clear and concise explanation of each of the modules.

✔ Gives a great introduction of evidence-based psychological tools and treatments in short, easy to understand modules.

✔ Covers main psychotherapy techniques, eg, mindfulness, relaxation, kindness and gratitude.

✔ Creative way to show progress using a growing tree, so users can visualise their journey.

✔ Attractive graphics.

✘ If you exit out of a module, you have to restart the module. However it's easy to navigate through the audio tracks to manually resume your previous progress.

✘ Some references to the COVID-19 pandemic may be less relevant than they were in 2020/2021.

Clinical review

Reviewer: David Bloore, Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice
Date of review: June 2024
Platform: Android
Version: 1.1.3
Comments: While this app was designed to help support users through the COVID-19 pandemic (and makes a number of references towards this) it's probably useful to think of it as an app that provides education around emotions, how to learn to respond to emotions in a healthy way and also outlines a number of useful techniques and strategies to improve one’s overall mental wellbeing. There are 7 different modules with the recommendation to complete 1 module each week, which allows the user to focus on 1 particular area at a times and develop skills by repeating exercises daily.
The app has some interactive features – notifications can be turned on to remind the user to practice and ‘badges’ are earned at the completion of each module, which can act as a reward and motivate further learning.
The audio is clear and the graphics are well designed and relevant for a New Zealand audience, but probably most relevant for a teen/young adult age group.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes.

Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinician's guide – how to choose a health app
Mental health and wellbeing apps (for teenagers and young people)
Mental health – youth topics
NZ Health App Library

References

Thabrew H, Boggiss AL, Lim D, et al. Well-being app to support young people during the COVID-19 pandemic – randomised controlled trial (external link) BMJ Open, 2021
Serlachius A, Schache K, Boggiss A, et al. Coping skills mobile app to support the emotional well-being of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic – protocol for a mixed methods study(external link) JMIR Res Protoc 2020;9(10):e23716
Serlachius A, Boggiss A, Lim D, et al. Pilot study of a well-being app to support New Zealand young people during the COVID-19 pandemic(external link) Internet Interv. 2021;26:100464

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.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days