10 of the best mental health apps

Mobile phone and tablet apps can be useful tools for supporting your mental wellbeing. They can help with things like relaxation, sleep, mood tracking, anxiety, stress, worry and building small wellbeing habits.

At MS-UK, we believe people affected by multiple sclerosis should have access to clear and balanced information, so they can make choices that feel right for them.

Apps are not a replacement for professional mental health support, counselling, medical advice or crisis help. However, some people find them helpful as part of their day-to-day self-care, especially alongside other support.

Before downloading an app, it is worth checking the cost, privacy settings, reviews and whether it feels accessible for you.

This app helps people to manage mental wellness using a combination of techniques, including breathwork, meditation and CBT.

Breath 2 Relax

This app is all about managing your breathing to reduce stress using the stress management skill ‘diaphragmatic breathing’. It features instructions and practice exercises to help users learn the stress.

Catch It

This is a free app that uses CBT to help manage feelings of anxiety and depression by turning negative thoughts into positive ones.

Chill Panda

This free app uses different activities like yoga and breathing techniques that are designed to help manage anxiety. It is also available on Nintendo Switch.

Headspace

This app is all about developing a mindful approach. It includes guided exercises, videos and meditation.

Insight Timer

This is a free app that uses a variety of techniques, including yoga, meditation, and breathwork. There are also paid features you can subscribe to.

MyPossibleSelf

An NHS-approved app, it uses CBT interactive tools and techniques to help identify the sources of your anxiety and how to manage them.

Side by Side

This is Mind’s online community, which used to be called Elefriends. It is a forum where you can listen, share and be heard through posting, commenting and private messaging.

Smiling Mind

Using exercises developed in conjunction with psychologists, this app helps in promoting mental wellness.

What’s Up?

A tool you can use to help manage anxiety and calm your mind and body.

WorryTree

This free app aims to help you take control of your worries, one at a time. By using CBT and sensory practices, you’ll be able to craft a plan of action to help yourself cope with your worries and concerns.

If you’d like to learn more about mental health in relation to MS, then you should read our dedicated choices booklet. Just click the link to learn more.

Stay Alive

Stay Alive is a UK suicide prevention app developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention. It includes information and tools to help people stay safe in crisis, and can also be used by someone who is worried about another person.

If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, please seek urgent support straight away. You can call 999 in an emergency, contact NHS 111, or call Samaritans free on 116 123.

Choosing what feels right for you

Not every app will suit everyone. You might prefer something that only takes a few minutes a day, or you may want a more detailed tracker that helps you notice patterns over time.

When choosing an app, you may want to think about

• Whether it is free or paid
• How easy it is to use
• Whether the content feels helpful and safe for you
• How much personal information it asks for
• Whether you want reminders or prefer to use it when you choose
• Whether it supports the specific area you want help with, such as sleep, worry, relaxation or mood tracking

Support from MS-UK

If you would like to learn more about mental health and MS, you can read our MS and mental health Choices booklet.

You can also explore MS-UK’s online activities, including sessions such as meditation, mindfulness, chair yoga and other wellbeing activities.

Our Helpline team is here to provide information and emotional support to anyone affected by MS. You can call 0800 783 0518, email info@ms-uk.org or visit our Helpline page to find out more.

This blog was reviewed and updated on 08 May 2026.