Are you struggling with your mental health? Maybe you’re feeling anxious or depressed, or perhaps you’ve been dealing with bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Regardless, you’re likely wondering what you can do to get better. With that said, should you consider utilizing mental health apps as a next step, or would it be best to enroll in an in-person treatment program at a mental health clinic?
Mental Health Apps are On the Rise
Many meetings and in-person interactions in our culture have shifted toward digital options in recent years. It seems like there’s an app for everything these days, including your mental health. If you visit the app store on your phone, it’s likely that you’ll find numerous mental health apps available. In fact, there are over 10,000 mental or behavioral health apps publicly available today, shares the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Traditionally you may have sought counseling or treatment at a therapist’s brick-and-mortar office, making the effort to schedule an appointment and visit in person. But today it may feel easier now to just download an app instead and use it at your leisure. But is that the right option for your mental health?
Phone Apps for Mental Health: Are They Worth It?
As our society has gotten more comfortable using apps as a digital alternative for everyday needs, mental health apps certainly have their place. Some people may lack regular access to mental healthcare (or may be limited to out of state rehab), so a mental health app can offer key resources that are much better than not getting any help at all. Apps also are much cheaper (and sometimes free) than in-person residential treatment and don’t require traveling or commuting, shares Popular Science. These apps can also provide several basic mental healthcare functions, shares the APA, including:
- Information or psychoeducation
- Therapy or treatment
- Symptom or mood monitoring
- Self-assessment
- Peer or community support
Yet with all these mental health apps available to you, there’s very little regulation in this rapidly growing market. Consequently, Popular Science goes on to say that users today have to navigate a wide array of options that can range from expert-recommended to potentially harmful. The APA also shares that many of these mental health apps lack evidence and supporting research to back their effectiveness claims and techniques. In other words, you could be using an app for mental health that makes false promises or even offers dangerous advice.
There’s also the challenge of user engagement. A study shared by the APA found that sustained use of mental health apps is actually low, despite an app’s claims of high user engagement. Then there’s the problem of data privacy, shares Popular Science. Because many mental health apps collect user data for advertising revenue, the sensitive information you share on an app is especially vulnerable, not to mention at risk for cybersecurity issues.
Choosing Residential or In-Person Treatment Instead
As you consider your mental health care options, what are the ramifications of pursuing in-person, residential treatment instead? Inpatient or residential treatment involves temporarily living at a mental health treatment facility to participate in their various in-person therapy programs. You’re in a highly intentional environment designed to facilitate your healing and guided by professional therapists—instead of trying to change on your own.
Unlike an app for mental health, residential treatment allows you to step away from any distraction or difficult environment so you can wholly concentrate on your healing. And the mental health treatment provided is both evidence-based and experiential, ensuring you get the best possible care. An in-person program will take a holistic approach to your treatment, offering:
- An individualized plan of care
- Access to the right medications (if needed)
- Invaluable structure and routine
- An ongoing peer support system
Because many mental health disorders are rooted in unresolved past trauma (including adverse childhood experiences, for example), residential treatment is necessary to directly address the root traumas driving your struggles. Phone apps for mental health simply can’t do that well. Residential or inpatient treatment is also essential for addressing more complex mental health disorders, as well as any co-occurring disorders such as drug or alcohol addiction. Attempts to heal from these issues with an app alone will unfortunately fall short.
Mental Health Apps vs. In-Person: Our Verdict
So if you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health disorder, what should you do next? Considering the mental health apps vs. in-person treatment debate, we at Integrative Life Center believe that giving yourself the best possible care out there is what you deserve most. That means choosing in-person treatment, even participating in a residential treatment program if needed. A mental health app works best as a supplemental tool, but it shouldn’t replace in-person care from a mental health professional.
At our Nashville, TN-based treatment center, we offer both residential and outpatient care for a variety of mental health disorders, including:
- Grief and loss
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- OCD
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
Our treatment programs utilize trauma-informed care to directly address the root causes of your disorders, empowering you to reclaim your life and stay healthy long-term. To learn more, contact our team today.
