Stay head-strong with mental health apps

Sure, you can lie down on a couch to get a dose of therapy. But mental health apps, whether they’re games, symptom checkers or coping tools, are quick and accessible at the moment you need them, perfect as a complement to (not a replacement for) professional help.

Game designer Jane McGonigal created “SuperBetter” as a means to cope during a slow and arduous recovery from a concussion. She designed it to make players mentally, physically, emotionally and socially stronger by building personal resilience through game challenges. It can help those suffering from depression, anxiety, chronic pain or an injury and also can help players to lose weight, quit smoking or reach other goals. That it’s fun to play is just a bonus. Free, at Apple Store.

PANIC GO When a panic attack is about to hit, Let Panic Go is designed to soothe an anxious mind by distracting users from panicked thoughts and providing a rhythm for calm, deep breathing. There’s no audio, so users can take a moment to center themselves and their thoughts from anywhere. $2.99 at Apple Store.

MY M3 You probably know your cholesterol level, your blood pressure and your BMI, but do you know your M3? Based on a threeminute questionnaire, the figure represents your risk for mental health issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and PTSD. It’s a great starting point if you’re think about getting treatment — after all, less than half of Americans with a diagnosable mental illness receive help for their condition. Free (through the end of May) at Apple Store.

COACH Developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, PTSD Coach is designed to supplement professional treatment and includes a symptom checklist, condition information, tips for handling symptoms and links to support when users need it. Free at Apple Store, Google Play.

DIARY CARD For therapy patients learning Dialectical Behavior Therapy, diary cards are an important measure of daily feelings and behaviors. The attractive and easy-to-use interface of this app, developed at Duke University, lets users access dozens of skills taught in therapy sessions, receive coaching and send daily cards directly to their therapists. $4.99 at Apple Store.

OCD FREE It’s pricey, but users of this app swear by it for daily help in curbing the ritual-based symptoms of the disease when on the go or between therapist visits. Live OCD Free helps users set goals and overcome specific challenges (like touching doorknobs) with tutorials, practice exposures and tools for crisis moments. There’s also a children’s version that helps kids fight off the “worry wizard.” $79.99 at Apple Store.