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If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past few years, it’s that understanding and improving mental health is beneficial for everyone. Anxiety and depression are real challenges for many college students, especially for those who’ve moved away from what has been their support system for years. So, how can you get support for your mental health without the high cost of therapy? Enter MindDoc: your mental health companion.

MindDoc is an app that acts as a convenient tool in your life. Every day, you answer a few questions about how you’ve been. For example, “Do you often worry about various things even when there’s no particular reason for doing so?,” “Have you felt a sense of achievement lately?,” or  “Have you been spending enough time with people who are most important to you?”

Then, it asks you to rate your overall mood from “very bad” to “very good.” You can also free-write any thoughts you have, just like you would in a journal. Super quick, right?

Based on your answers, the app will give you regular short feedback, helping you recognize both areas where you’re struggling and where things are working relatively well for you.

After two weeks of answering the questions, the app will provide you with a tailored assessment of your emotional health. This includes a summary of your mental state and some guidance on how to improve it. The process repeats again so you can monitor your progress.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, the app can also connect you to a network of licensed therapists through BetterHelp—the largest online counseling platform worldwide. Though not necessary, it’s a great option if you want more support.

Under the “Discover” tab, there are a variety of courses to explore with topics like “Understanding Mental Disorders,” “Dealing with Interpersonal Problems,” or “Coping with Stress,” and the list goes on. The courses are designed to provide people with the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to take their mental health into their own hands. Based on how you answer the daily questions, the app will automatically suggest courses to you that best suit your needs. 

“The courses are based on tried and tested cognitive behavioral therapy treatments,” according to Dr. Ina Beintner, Clinical Psychologist and Chief Science Officer of MindDoc. “People who engage a lot with our courses benefit most from the app.”

MindDoc isn’t just for people struggling with mental health. Part of the intention behind its development was to be a preventative for future mental health issues. By consistently recognizing your emotions and receiving support from MindDoc, you are providing yourself an outlet that helps release the pressure of dealing with your emotions alone. The resources of MindDoc reduce vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and more.

MindDoc works closely with research institutions including the Department of Clinical Psychological Intervention at Freie Universität Berlin and the Ludwig Maximilians Universität in Munich to reflect the latest scientific research.

“We have just completed a clinical trial with the app in over 1,000 people, and we could show that people who use it get better at including behaviors that are good for their mental health in their day-to-day,” said Dr. Beintner. “We could also show that symptoms of common mental disorders like depression and anxiety improve.”

So what can MindDoc do for you? College life—and life in general—is hard enough as it is. Letting mental health issues build up is the last thing you want when trying to balance workload, extracurricular activities, and a social life. Seeking out the right resources to help you is costly and often time-consuming. Utilizing the app’s features is a great first step to help yourself. 

“Using MindDoc has given me the ability to know what everyday practices are best for me through its personalized daily feedback,” said sophomore and MindDoc intern Jason Federico.

With MindDoc Plus, the premium feature of the app, you can unlock all the courses they provide. A subscription costs $29.99 for three months, $44.99 for six months, or $69.99 for a year. Special for University of Miami students, get a one week free trial followed by 50% off a one year plan with code UMIAMI50.

By identifying your emotions and focusing regularly on what’s on your mind, you grow more self-aware and gain insight into your mental health. After a while, you might even detect patterns in your mood—beyond just being stressed every Monday. 

Think of MindDoc as a combined journal and self-help library with a few extra bells and whistles. 

Download MindDoc in the App Store for free to check it out. Who knows?—After a few weeks, you may have a much better grip on your mental health.