Unit 1 Identify Self-Help Tool
Unit 1: Introduction (1 of 5)
Unit 1: Reading and Activities (2 of 5)
Unit 1: Discussion – Introduction (3 of 5)
Current Assignment: Unit 1: Assignment Identify Self-Help Tool (4 of 5)
9780826164407_ch01.pptx, File (5 of 5)
INSTRUCTIONS
It is vital for social workers who provide for others to understand our own mental health in addition to tools that are available to support our clients.
For this course, you are going to select and use a mental health app of your choice throughout our course together through unit 10, where you will submit a journal that provides a reflection on the tool you chose, its impact, and if you would recommend the app to future clients.
It is encouraged that you log in and participate in the app’s activities a minimum of one time a week over the next ten weeks in order to truly evaluate its effectiveness.
You will keep a reflection journal for the use of this app that you will submit in unit 10.
Please use this form to reflect on and track your use of your chosen app:
Mental Health App JournalDownload Mental Health App Journal
There are multiple free mental health apps available to choose from. There are also multiple resources for you to decide which app you will participate in. These resources are linked in the Assignment Resources below. Peruse each site and identify an app you would like to use for this course. Then complete the following assignment:
For the assignment this week, please first identify the self-help mental health app you will apply throughout the class.
Then submit 1-2 sentences of what app you will be logging into at least once a week.
Complete this assignment and submit it to this assignment dropbox by Sunday at 11:59 pm CT.
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour
ASSIGNMENT RESOURCES
Top 10 Free Mental Health Apps in 2022Links to an external site.
Free Meditation Apps Worthy of Your AttentionLinks to an external site.
Rubric
MSW628 Mental Health App ID
MSW628 Mental Health App ID
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeID Submission
25 pts
Full Marks
Student submitted mental health app choice by the due date.
0 pts
No Marks
Student did not submit the mental health app choice.
25 pts
Total Points: 25
There are several high-quality, evidence-based apps available these days that can support different needs. Mindfulness and meditation apps tend to be very popular options, as they cultivate awareness, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Headspace and Calm are leaders in this space, though others like Insight Timer and Buddhify may also align well with social work values. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based apps can also be effective for managing conditions like anxiety and depression. MoodMission and What’s Up? are highly rated CBT apps used in clinical settings.
In addition to considering each app’s specific focus and features, it may help to evaluate reviews from mental health professionals as well as everyday users. Factors like intuitive design, personalized plans, community support, and guidance from licensed therapists can impact user experience and outcomes. Costs, data privacy, and evidence of effectiveness should also factor into your decision. Tracking your experiences over the full 10 weeks will offer valuable insights on what works best for your own self-care and potential client recommendations.
References
Firth, J., Torous, J., Nicholas, J., Carney, R., Pratap, A., Rosenbaum, S., & Sarris, J. (2017). The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 16(3), 287–298. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20472
Baumel, A., Muench, F., Edan, S., & Kane, J. M. (2019). Evidence Based Practices in Digital Mental Health. Telemedicine and e-Health, 25(7), 531–548. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0243
Mani, M., Kavanagh, D. J., Hides, L., & Stoyanov, S. R. (2015). Review and Assessment of Mindfulness-Based iPhone Apps. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 3(3), e82. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.4328
