Give your mental wellness a boost with these apps, devices and communities

With our fast paced lives, It’s never been more crucial to take care of our wellbeing. And the World Mental Health Day on Oct 10 is a timely reminder for us to do just that.

This year’s theme “Mental health is a universal human right” is a call to improve knowledge and raise awareness, while driving action through accessibility. So, we’ve curated some apps, devices, and communities that are readily available to support our wellness journey.

Devices and apps

Track sleep with the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic

We know that quality sleep is essential to our overall health and mental wellness. And if you are amongst the large percentage of Singaporeans who are sleep deprived, you might look to understand your sleep with the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic. Beyond tracking sleep hours, the 43mm smartwatch provides detailed insights into your sleep cycle and patterns.

It even offers personalised feedback and sleep coaching, a function co-developed with the National Sleep Foundation. We love the ease of reading our sleep charts, especially with the rotatable bezel that makes it a breeze to navigate through the information. Together with activity tracking, heart-rate monitoring and body fat analysis, this sleek device gives us a snapshot of our health and wellness in style.

Shop the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (from S$598) here.

Nurture your mind with Headspace

The OG of mental wellness apps Headspace has supported over 70 million members with science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools to improve health and happiness.

Break the cycle of negative thoughts and clear your mind with meditations and sleepcasts. Engage in mindful movements and focus exercises to nurture yourself, or learn to transform habits for sharper focus. They say Headspace lowers stress levels by 14 per cent within ten days, so grab their 14-day free trial to experience the difference.

Headspace is free to download with subscriptions starting from approximately S$7.98. Download for Apple and Android.

Build healthy habits with Intellect 

Set to reshape mental healthcare in Asia, the Intellect app is a self-care platform built upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to provide support and reduce stigma for anyone who needs it. Use the Made-in-Singapore app to create healthy habits through bite-sized content and exercises.

Track and boost your mood, express yourself in guided journals, or dive into rescue sessions in times of overwhelm. The app even connects you with certified coaches and therapists for 1-1 coaching and support (available in selected markets). Combining technology and the human touch, Intellect offers a holistic modern-day solution that even companies love.

Intellect is free to download with in-app purchases starting from S$9.48. Download for Apple and Android.

Express yourself with ThoughtfullChat

Feeling overwhelmed, grappling with an existential crisis, or simply not feeling quite yourself? Take it up with certified counsellors and psychologists via the ThoughtfullChat app.

Connect via text or audio chats, and let your coach support you through those thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Although the company is based in Singapore, the subscription-based app connects you with certified coaches across 16 locations; opt for bite-sized 15-minute or full sessions at your convenience.

Beyond the sessions, record your feelings with the mood tracker, reflect with the guided journal or take the emotional health assessment. Pick up a new tip or two with their science-backed learning packs and step into the best version of you.

ThoughtfullChat is free to download with monthly, three-monthly and six-monthly subscriptions starting from S$199 per month — with a free 14-day trial. Download for Apple and Android.

Social enterprises

Threading hope through stories with The Tapestry Project SG

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you”; every story is a thread in the tapestry of life. And every story and struggle is heard and validated at The Tapestry Project SG. Join Sojourners, the community journaling program and jot down your thoughts and feelings with guided prompts.

New to journaling? The Narrative Journaling 101 program lays the groundwork as you explore your inner landscape; develop this accessible tool for self-reflection and self-care.

Connect with The Tapestry Project SG here.

Manage stress with Mindline.sg

Life can get stressful at times, but before you lose yourself in the sea of worries, mindline.sg provides self-care tools, knowledge and pathways to seek out professional help. The digital stress management platform, created in collaboration with public health agencies and partners, aims to foster mental health awareness and reduce stigma with anonymous support.

Understand your state of mind with validated self-assessments, and there’s even an emotionally intelligent AI chatbot, Wysa, who’ll share self-care exercises to tide you through.

Connect with Mindline.sg here.

Cosy up in circles with Calm Collective

Established during the lockdown during Covid-19, Calm Collective is on a mission to destigmatize mental health discussions in Asia. In between hosting CalmCon Mental Wellbeing Festival, the team curates talks and mental health content on their socials while offering group peer support through the Calm Circles program.

Connect and learn from one another in these 1.5-hour peer-to-peer sharing sessions; feel free to share your thoughts within the non-judgemental space.

Connect with Calm Collective here.

ALSO READ: World Mental Health Day: Feeling pain 24/7 has shaken up his outlook on life

This article was first published in City Nomads.