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're working with them to get this fixed.

Sanvello – stress & anxiety app

An app to help you manage stress and anxiety.

Print this page

Sanvello – stress & anxiety app	By Sanvello Health Inc
	Features Goal setting. Wellness tools such as mood and health habit tracking. Numerous relaxation and coping activities.
Clinical review	Free version: Paid version: Read a clinical review, including safety concerns, below.
Security and privacy	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 (basic); paid upgrade Learn more about app charges(external link)
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

This app has a variety of tools to help improve your mental health and well being such as goal setting, meditation activities, health habit tracking, thought analysis, mood tracking and a community for peer support. The app sends you a daily notification asking how you’re feeling, allows you to monitor your mood throughout the day and suggests activities based on your current mood and overall goal. It has weekly features such as podcasts. The free version has limited functionality and paid upgrade to the premium version provides access to additional features.

For a more detailed description of the app, see iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Uses many techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy with ample explanation and structure. Has input from psychologists. ✔ Multiple guided meditations for general mindfulness and for specific situations. ✔ Encourages self-monitoring of mood and health goals such as sleep and exercise. ✔ Reminders and feedback. ✔ Tools are fairly customisable, and it recommends activities based on your goals such as decreasing anxiety, live healthier, feel happier etc. ✔ Community section with a discussion board and chat groups but I couldn’t find evidence that these were monitored. ✔ Encourages recording of thoughts, feeling and behaviours. ✔ Has a learning section called “guided paths” which assigns an audio lesson and assigned activity each day. There are 7n days available with the free version, and another 28 with the paid version. ✔ Paid version has extensive extra tools such as more cognitive behavioural therapy tools, journaling and the extended guided paths.	✘ Busy home screen - its not immediately intuitive or simple to use. ✘ Has a lot of functionality but could feel overwhelming. ✘ The free version is quite limited. ✘ Community board doesn’t seem to be monitored. ✘ No studies done on the app’s effectiveness.

PROS

CONS

✔ Uses many techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy with ample explanation and structure. Has input from psychologists.

✔ Multiple guided meditations for general mindfulness and for specific situations.

✔ Encourages self-monitoring of mood and health goals such as sleep and exercise.

✔ Reminders and feedback.

✔ Tools are fairly customisable, and it recommends activities based on your goals such as decreasing anxiety, live healthier, feel happier etc.

✔ Community section with a discussion board and chat groups but I couldn’t find evidence that these were monitored.

✔ Encourages recording of thoughts, feeling and behaviours.

✔ Has a learning section called “guided paths” which assigns an audio lesson and assigned activity each day. There are 7n days available with the free version, and another 28 with the paid version.

✔ Paid version has extensive extra tools such as more cognitive behavioural therapy tools, journaling and the extended guided paths.

✘ Busy home screen - its not immediately intuitive or simple to use.

✘ Has a lot of functionality but could feel overwhelming.

✘ The free version is quite limited.

✘ Community board doesn’t seem to be monitored.

✘ No studies done on the app’s effectiveness.

Clinical review

Free version:

Paid version:

Reviewer: Jeremy Steinberg, GP, FRNZCGP
Date of review: April 2018
Platform: Android
Version: 6.0.2
Comments: This app is most useful for people with stress, depression and anxiety. Pacifica uses techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to help improve anxiety and depression. The tools in the app are well structured, interactive and easy to use, however the free version is quite limited. There are no studies of the effectiveness of the app itself, but the tools it uses are evidence based. There is a community board and chat groups to find support, but these did not seem to be extensively monitored. It can also be used to track generic health goals such as exercise, medication and sleep in a limited way.
Safety concerns: It doesn’t suggest calling someone if you are feeling awful or link to crisis support services.
New Zealand relevance: No link to New Zealand crisis support services.

Anxiety | Mate māharahara
Mindfulness
Mental health and wellbeing apps overview
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

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.