. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Feb 1.

Published in final edited form as: Acad Psychiatry. 2017 Dec 18;42(1):109–120. doi: 10.1007/s40596-017-0868-0

Table 1.

Summaries of web-based tools and mobile applications organized within 6 categories: relaxation, breathing, mindfulness, meditation, online CBT, and suicide prevention

Resource	Description	Evidence for the General Population	Evidence for Healthcare Providers	Privacy	Ease of use	Free to use	Other features
Relaxation
Dartmouth	23 guided relaxation audios (various techniques) and soothing music (2–30 minutes). https://www.dartmouth.edu/~healthed/relax/downloads.html			n/a	⁺ Downloadable	x
Breathing
Dr. Weil	3 breathing technique videos (1–3 minutes) http://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/stress-anxiety/breathing-three-exercises/			n/a	⁺ Short duration ⁺ Bullet-point instructions	x	⁺ Created by a physician
Breathe2 Relax^a,^b	Various guided breathing audio and video tutorials	298,000 app users by July 2013 (2.5 years since its release) [37]		“For statistical purposes, T2 collects anonymous usage data and sends it to a data provider. This feature can be disabled through settings screen at any time.”		x	⁺ Tracking
Breathe Deep	Various guided breathing techniques with timer and visual illustrations			Not provided in the App Store		x	⁺ Timer ⁺ Reminders ⁺ Customizable breathing rate
MyCalmBeat	Guided breathing with timer			https://www.mybrainsolutions.com/Pages/PrivacyPolicysIframe.aspx	⁻ May slow phone down (app disclaimer)	x	⁺ Tracking ⁺ Customizable breathing rate
Tactical Breather,^b	A timer to slow breathing rate	Visualized breathing apps resulted in better perceived effectiveness [38]		“For statistical purposes, T2 collects anonymous usage data and sends it to a data provider. This feature can be disabled through settings screen at any time.”	⁺ Easy to use	x
Mindfulness Meditation
UCSD^a	37 guided meditation audios (6–45 minutes) of various MBSR types https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/mindfulness/programs/mbsr/Pages/audio.aspx		MBSR: ⁺ Reduced burnout and improved mental well-being [39]	n/a		x
Palouse	8 weekly MBSR modules (50 hours), videos, reading, daily practice (30 minutes), and supplemental materials of various meditation types. http://www.palousemindfulness.com/index.html		MBSR: ⁺ Reduced burnout and improved mental well-being [39]	n/a	⁻ Time commitment for daily practices	x	⁺ Interactive (online community)
Audio Dharma	6 beginner-level and 8-intermediate level meditation modules (1.5-hour) with homework http://www.audiodharma.org/series/1/talk/1762/			n/a	⁺ Downloadable	x	⁺ Transcripts
Free Mindfulness	30 guided meditation audios (3–45 minutes) of various meditation types http://www.freemindfulness.org/download			n/a	⁺ Downloadable	x
UCLA	8 guided meditation audios (3–19 minutes) http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22			n/a	⁺ Short duration	x	⁺ Transcripts
Frantic World	7 guided meditation audios (3–30 minutes) of various meditation types http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/			n/a		x
Headspace^a,^b	10-minute guided meditation audios for various categories (SOS, sleep, work, etc.)	Reduced job strain and depression [28] ⁺ Increase positive affect and mental well-being [28]		https://www.headspace.com/privacy-policy	⁺ Short duration	⁻ Fee to unlock more programs
Insight Timer	3,683 guided meditations, music tracks and courses, which are frequently updated.			https://www.insighttimer.com/privacypolicy	⁻ Requires registration	x	⁺ Tracking ⁺ Reminders ⁺ Timer ⁺ Interactive (user network)
ACT Coach	6 ACT-based mindfulness exercises and tools			https://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/public/materials/apps/	⁺ Easy to use ⁺ Practical	x	⁺ Tracking ⁺ Bookmark function ⁺ Interactive
3 Minute Mindfulness	3 three-minute guided meditation sessions, 2 seven-day programs (mindfulness, stress management), and various breathing techniques.			http://www.threeminutemindfulness.com/privacy-policy/	⁺ Short duration	x
Stop, Breathe & Think	8 categories of guided meditations (3–10 sessions each) with visual illustrations			https://www.stopbreathethink.com/privacy-policy/	⁻ Requires registration	x	⁺ Tracking
Mindfulness Coach	9 modules (mindful breathing, walking, eating, listening and looking). Originally created for those with PTSD. However, may be still relevant to other groups.			https://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/public/materials/apps/		x	⁺ Transcripts ⁺ Tracking ⁺ Reminders
Smiling Mind	Guided meditation app with a focus on classroom and workplace usage			https://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/public/materials/apps/	⁻ Requires registration	⁻ Fee to unlock more programs	⁺ Tracking
Calm	A guided and unguided meditation app that can be accessed in both the app- and website-format			http://www.calm.com/privacy	⁺ Many 7-day programs ⁻ Requires registration	⁻ Fee to unlock more programs
Breethe – Guided Meditation	21 single- and 78 serial-guided meditation sessions			https://breethe.com/more/privacy-policy	⁺ Daily randomized sessions ⁻ Requires registration	⁻ Fee to unlock more programs	⁺ Family sessions ⁺ Interactive (user network)
Online CBT
MoodGYM^a,^b,^c	5 CBT modules (30 minutes weekly), quizzes and exercises with visual aids and detailed feedback. Content: thoughts, mood and how to change it, problem-solving and coping methods. https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome		⁺ Decreased suicidal ideation in medical interns (RR 0.4) [29] ⁺ Reduced dysfunctional thinking [41], depression and anxiety at 6 months [42] ⁺ Increased self-esteem [42]	https://moodgym.com.au/info/privacy	⁻ Requires registration	x	⁺ Detailed feedback on pre-assessment ⁺ Interactive (sample characters, daily scenarios) ⁻ Australia-based resources
*Stress Gym^a,^b	8 CBT modules. Content: stress awareness and management, problem solving, and various wellness topics (coping at work, exercise, nutrition, etc.). http://www.depressiontoolkit.org/stressgym/	⁺ Decreased stress in Navy officers [40]		http://www.uofmhealth.org/patient-visitor-guide/protecting-your-privacy-hipaa	⁺ Concise ⁺ Self-paced ⁺ Downloadable	x	⁻ USA-based resources
BluePages^b	Informative pages with visual aids and quizzes http://www.bluepages.anu.edu.au	⁺ Decreased personal stigma and depression at 12 months [41] ⁺ Decreased alcohol use and depression at 12 months (combined with MoodGYM) [41]		https://bluepages.anu.edu.au/index.php?id=privacy&lang=en	⁺ Easy to use	x	⁺ Interactive (forum) ⁺ Search function ⁻ Only encompassed informative pages ⁻ Australia-based resources
e-couch^b	5 CBT/IPT programs with visual aids, quizzes and workbook. Content: depression, anxiety, social anxiety, separation, bereavement. Included information on physical activity and relaxation http://www.ecouch.anu.edu.au	⁺ Decreased depression directly, 6 and 12 months after intervention (combined with internet support group) [43]		https://ecouch.anu.edu.au/ecouch/info/privacy	⁻ Requires registration	x	⁺ Interactive (sample characters) ⁻ Australia-based statistics
Depression Center	18 CBT modules, workbook and quizzes with feedback http://www.depressioncenter.net/			http://www.depressioncenter.net/Content/CMStaticPage.aspx?pageid=privacypolicy		x	⁺ Mood tracking ⁺ Interactive (online support group, message board, blog, personal goals) ⁺ Health educators ⁻ The multitude of options may be initially overwhelming
myRay	6 CBT modules, pre-assessment quiz (28 questions), video tutorials http://www.myray.com/content/en/index.cfm			http://www.myray.com/content/en/index.cfm		x	⁺ Detailed feedback on pre-assessment (coping strategies, recommendations, benefits, proposed timeline for CBT) ⁺ Glossary ⁺ Interactive ⁻ Limited visual aids
MoodTools	Depression assessment, information, and CBT-oriented thought diary. Included links to meditation, relaxation and TED Talks videos.			Not provided in the App Store		x	⁺ Mood tracking during different activities ⁺ Customized safety plan ⁺ Validated measure (PHQ-9)
Moving Forward	7 problem-solving tools, assessments, exercises and workbook. Various psycho-educational content.			https://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/public/materials/apps/	⁺ Easy to use ⁺ Practical materials	x	⁺ Service locators ⁺ Interactive
T2 Mood Tracker	Mood tracker app. 6 different areas: general well-being, stress and post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and head injury			“For statistical purposes, T2 collects anonymous usage data and sends it to a data provider. This feature can be disabled through settings screen at any time.”		x	⁺ Progress tracking ⁺ Reminders ⁺ Users can type notes
LifeArmor	Problem-solving tools, video testimonies, and self-assessments. Included various wellness topics (stress, tobacco, resilience, depression, etc.).			“For statistical purposes, T2 collects anonymous usage data and sends it to a data provider. This feature can be disabled through settings screen at any time.”	⁺ Easy to use ⁺ Practical materials	x
Pacifica	CBT-based stress management tools			https://www.thinkpacifica.com/privacy/	⁻ Requires registration ⁻ The multitude of options may be initially overwhelming	x	⁺ Journal entry with daily tracking (sleep, exercise, daily habits, etc.) ⁺ Reminders ⁺ Customizable ⁺ Interactive (user network to share quotes, goals, mindfulness tips, etc.)
CBT Thought Record Diary	CBT-oriented diary where users can record and associate their thoughts with situations, types of cognitive distortion, challenges and outcome.			https://medium.com/@moodtools/thought-diary-privacy-policy-bc37d95c988b	⁻ Limited function (only journal entry)	x
Suicide Prevention
Virtual Hope Box^a,^b	Digital alternative to traditional, physical hope box. Included breathing and grounding exercises and information on bereavement, other relevant apps, etc.	⁺ Improved coping ability with unpleasant thoughts and emotions at 3 and 12 weeks [30]		Not provided in the App Store.		x	⁺ Interactive and customized (users can upload photos, videos, quotes, and contacts)
Stay Alive^a	Suicide- and bereavement-related information			Not provided in the App Store.		x	⁺ A list of UK national support helplines and local services ⁺ Interactive and customized (users can upload photos, safety plan, online forum) ⁻ UK-based resources
Suicide Safe	A treatment locator app by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (USA). Included training resources and case studies. However, might be more suitable for those who want to help a loved one in distress.			https://www.samhsa.gov/privacy.aspx		x	⁺ Treatment locator

Included in our recommended resource list

Demonstrated significant results in published studies

MoodGym had shown significant decrease in suicidal ideations among medical interns

⁺

indicates advantage

⁻

indicates disadvantage

Abbreviations: UCSD: University of California San Diego, MBSR: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, RR: Relative Risk, ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, IPT: Interpersonal Therapy.