As COVID-19 has spread across Canada, many in the social impact world face uncertainty: charities nationwide have had to lay off staff, and employees who remain on payroll are in many cases working from home, with less resources and higher public demand for their services. And in their personal lives, many are dealing with the added burden of social isolation, homeschooling children, and worrying about their families’ and friends’ health.

It’s a trying time — and on top of the added stress, most simply don’t have access to mental health support through traditional, in-person channels. Already, on any given year in Canada, one in five people will experience a mental illness or addiction, a number likely exacerbated by COVID-19. In the United States, 45 percent of respondents to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll said the pandemic was negatively impacting their mental health, with nearly half of respondents characterizing it as a “major impact.”

Fortunately, however, there are a growing number of digital mental health tools available to help people around the clock. And while apps may never fully replace a certified therapist, there’s evidence that they do help their users: a meta-analysis published in World Psychiatry in September 2019 found that, when in-person mental health support was unavailable due to wait times, apps significantly improved mental health outcomes for their users, compared to receiving no support or only receiving educational materials on mental health. 

For those physically distancing in their homes at the moment, digital mental health tools may be helpful for getting through the next few weeks — we’ve rounded up seven free and paid services below.

MindShift CBT

Created by Anxiety Canada, the app uses scientifically proven strategies based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to tackle both short- and long-term anxiety. One of the most prevalent forms of short-term therapy, CBT teaches people how to identify, question, and change their thoughts and emotional reactions to situations — allowing them to see distortions in their thinking and separate beliefs from facts.

For those already in therapy, the app can be a great add-on to learn new coping strategies and track emotions, and data from the app can be shared with practitioners.

BEACON

Available across Canada in both French and English, BEACON allows individuals to work their way through a course of cognitive behavioural therapy at their own pace. When signing up for BEACON, users start by completing a 20- to 30-minute assessment, and within a few days, are matched with a therapist. 

The therapist then starts the user on a customized — and adaptive — cognitive behavioural therapy care path, where the user completes readings and activities to develop new skills. While no face-to-face, phone, or video appointments take place, users can message their therapists anytime over a period of 12 weeks for clarification, support, and guidance. 

Access to a standard course of BEACON costs up to $635, with some benefits plans covering the service.

Inkblot

For those who prefer chatting it out, Toronto-based Inkblot matches and connects Canadians with certified counsellors for live and affordable therapy over video. Users start by completing a survey, select their ideal counsellor from rated matches, and then carry out sessions on Inkblot.

Since matching with the right counsellor is an important part of getting the most out of therapy, Inkblot waives the cost of users’ first session with any provider. After a user has landed on the right therapist match, 30-minute sessions cost $37.50 (traditional counselling in Canada generally costs between $60 and $100 for the same amount of time, according to Inkblot).

BetterHelp

If a video call with a therapist doesn’t sound ideal to those sheltering in place with family or roommates, a tool like BetterHelp may be a better option. BetterHelp gives users more flexible ways to get in touch with a therapist — allowing them to message, live chat, phone, or video call their providers.

Once a user is matched to their therapist, they can send messages whenever they need to, and schedule live conversations as needed. BetterHelp subscriptions start at $40 a week.

Calm

Named “the world’s happiest app” by the Center for Humane Technology, Calm aims to help its users become more mindful. The app offers up guided meditations, breathing programs, stretching exercises, relaxing music, and “sleep stories” to help users drift off at night. With guided meditations that last anywhere from 3 to 25 minutes, Calm can be used both by those new to a mindfulness practice and those with plenty of experience.

Calm offers a 7-day free trial, with the ability to pay monthly or annually for access afterwards.

Happify

Created for those who are more likely to get immersed in a game than explore their emotions in talk therapy, Happify is an app that “gamifies” happiness, providing users with science-based activities and games to improve emotional wellbeing. 

Based on the science of positive psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness, Happify lets users select unique “tracks” designed to tackle different emotional goals (such as better coping with stress or being more mindful). Each track features different science-backed activities and games to complete that teach users specific skills towards the goal.

Happify is free to download and use, with a premium subscription available to users.

Bloom

Aiming to be “the world’s first digital therapist in your pocket,” Bloom allows users to walk themselves through cognitive behavioural therapy on their own. The app sends users daily guided video classes, provides journaling exercises to work through, tracks measures of wellbeing, and suggests activities to build skills, like practicing gratitude or resilience.

Bloom usually offers a free 7-day trial, followed by a monthly cost of $6.66. At the moment, however, in response to COVID-19, they are offering a free month-long membership to all new users.

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