Search Here

Apple's iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch are more than just devices for communication and entertainment. They have evolved into tools for mental wellness, offering users innovative features to manage and improve their mental health. Here's a look at the top three mental health features found on these devices:

Mindfulness

The Mindfulness app on the Apple Watch encourages users to take a few minutes each day to focus and connect with themselves. To integrate mindfulness into daily life, users can set up a Breathe watch face, prompting them to practice mindful breathing throughout the day.

The benefits of mindfulness, such as stress reduction and improvements in anxiety and depression, are well-documented. A 2023 study even found that practicing mindfulness through an app could enhance children's mental health.

State Of Mind

This feature is a game-changer for personal mental health tracking. Available on the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, State Of Mind enables users to keep a daily record of their mood and emotions.

Therapist and wellness consultant Tracy Richardson, MSc, emphasized the benefit of this habit in building self-awareness via Healthline. By tracking what's happening internally and externally, users can identify patterns in their emotions and implement necessary changes. Recognizing the factors that impact mood is a significant step towards better emotional regulation, according to the expert.

Assessments

Exclusively available on the iPhone and iPad, Assessments offers users access to clinical depression and anxiety screenings. This feature provides benchmarks and an objective view of one's mental health state over time.

Richardson said regular use of Assessments can be instrumental in monitoring changes and improvements in mental health. However, she advised that any significant findings should prompt discussions with a healthcare provider, as these tools are meant to be a starting point in a comprehensive mental health plan.

These features on Apple's devices offer innovative ways for users to engage with their mental health, providing a blend of self-awareness, clinical insight, and mindfulness practices. Whether it's through tracking mood changes, undergoing clinical assessments, or practicing mindfulness, Apple users now have more tools at their disposal to support their mental wellness journey.