What's Up? A Mental Health App

I use to live this app. The little tool didn’t really help me as much becuz I just can’t see how it’s realistic when I have a PTSD episode but I don’t know it’s really made for that, idk. But my favorite part were the forums where ppl could talk and get advice. I enjoy giving advice and helping where I can and I love knowing that someone cares still becuz the world we live in today it’s seems like no one cares anymore but the forums always put hope back into me. Cuz it’s really hard finding someone willing to listen and care and everyone was super nice and helpful on the forums. I’m really sad they are no longer apart of the app and with that said I’m gonna uninstall it.

As a Psych Nurse, (and as a human who deals with all the Feels all the time), I approve of this app. I’ve only ever written 2 reviews on the App Store. Ever. I hate writing reviews. But I love this app. I just downloaded it tonight, a few hours ago and I’ve been using it ever since. This app provides you with actual resources. it’s educational in its approach, but in a down-to-earth, practical, relatable way. Along with a “Help Right Now” tab, there’s also a whole section on “Coping Strategies” which goes over 12 of the unhelpful thinking patterns (for example, catastrophizing) and ways to challenge them. Another section goes over 10 useful Metaphors (like, Passenger on the Bus) to help you understand your thoughts. The rest of the app follows along these same lines. I love structure and this app offers a streamlined layout that is intuitive and user-friendly. There’s also links to websites and print-outs. Win. I don’t feel like writing a novel, so I’ll stop…..But seriously, the app is that good. Just get it.

I found out about this app while reading an article online. I downloaded it because I like many other apps I’m looking for a method to log my thoughts when going through major depression or an anxiety attack. As soon as I download it, and rent it I realized the voiceover is not even able to see any of the objects on the screen. Even with screen recognition on, while it is able to read the front page, I am unable to activate any of the controls. Please make this app accessible. Lots of people can benefit from something like this. Thanks. I would be more than happy to donate to your project as well as rate you higher if the app gets fixed.

The regular app is fine, but the main reason anyone uses it is the forum. That place is absolutely horrible for your health. It is filled to the brim with depressing post after depressing post. People create these close bonds, which seems great, until your best online friend posts that they’re about to hurt themself. It is just a forum where extremely unhealthy children post very depressing things. You don’t feel alone anymore, but you are now part of a community that isolates you and bogs you down with horrible ideas. If you get this app and are in a really bad state of mind, the forum will not help you.

I think this app works well with visualizing your problems differently and easy to use however, it needs more updated features. Definitely good for anxiety and depression.

This app is rated a 4.5 out of 5. It has well developed sections that provide great pieces of information for the user. While it may appear simple and very basic, I like the idea of trying to keep the app free as much as possible. The password lock can really be helpful for users who use this for their daily tracking of mood, emotions, and habits. This app seems very ideal for adolescent because during this stage youth can experience everyday stressors such as “the daily issues individuals face, such as money problems, traffic difficulties, time pressure, poor sleeping patterns, homework, work conflicts, family coping styles, aggravations from parents, struggles in a relationship, a quarrel with a friend, neighborhood violence, school dangers, and dietary problems” (Laser, J.A. & Nicotera, N.,2021). The app seemed very simple to use although there were some tabs for example “stay in today” it seems like this one needed more development. There is just a picture. It seems it may be intended for a moment when the user is possibly having an episode or hard time and needs some kind of anchor to keep them from spiraling. Instead of having a person tell you that “you’re okay” or “you’re safe” it has an image that tries to play that role. It could use some work. It is very simple and not interactive at all. There could be some calming music playing, as before mentioned needing a sound aspect to the app. Or just more quotes or images that can help someone feel validated or safe in the moment that they are having a hard time. Another thing that they could implement is having a faster way of arriving to that tab versus going through two different buttons to get to it. It almost seems hidden. Perhaps implementing an emergency button for when the user is going through a crisis to reach that page at a moment's notice. They can have it somewhere on the main menu with bright colors to make it stand out. Another critique I would add is changing the targeted age group. I would recommend that the target age group should be 13 years old and above due to the vocabulary level and content of some of the forum posts. I don’t believe the younger users would be able to understand or even relate as they are probably not at the right age to do so. Other than that the app does everything else as intended. It’s definitely a useful tool for those that can utilize it. But I feel further working on the outline of the app and the visual aspect will help it become more intuitive and f

I am diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and this is the best app to help me calm down. It has actionable methods that it walks you through as you do them. It had great positive quotes but that’s not all the app is unlike many other anxiety apps. My favorite section is the grounding techniques that lead you through the five senses. It helps me calm down so much. Thanks so much to the creators of this app.

I didn't even know there were apps like this and I found this one by accident. It's helped me put somethings into perspective.

The app seemed good, but every time I tried to post something in the forum it would say I needed a valid account. I’ve been trying to create an account by filling in the username section, email address, etc, but when I hit the create button it just gives me an alert message. It won’t create an account for me.

Provides easy and immediate access to coping strategies and techniques that users can rely when experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Users are give information to understand their feelings and emotions, as well as ways they can break the cycle of feeling this way. However, forums should be better controlled. Anyone can post anything, which can be hurtful to users, especially teens. Although it is said that the app is for anyone that is 4 years old and older, children that do not know how to read will not be able to use it. Individuals that are visually impaired will not be able to use it either. An interesting point that was made by Steinberg (2014) is that the pain that adolescence experience when they are social rejected “closely resembles physical pain in neurological terms that taking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, actually can help alleviate it” (95). Being socially rejected is a painful experience for teens that can definitely make things worse for those that are already struggling. Based on the review criteria above and my own experience with What’s Up, I would rate this app a 3 out 5. What’s Up has many different coping strategies and techniques that users can access whenever they are in need of it. However, individuals can post whatever they want on the forums that can potentially harm users.