/ or provides an initial online assessment process that helps you understand the nature your problem; Look for any research-basis for the contentof the app as may be provided bythe developers. It may also be useful to check out if an app has been developed by well trained mental health professionals or in close collaboration with them.
Utility and limitations of self help apps: Well-designed, structured self-help apps, particularly those that involve interactive elements and incorporate some level of individualized support/ human contact (e.g. over phone/sms/email) have been found to be effective in dealing with common concerns such as depression and anxiety of milder severity. But, even a well-designed app may serve little purpose-unless used appropriately and consistently fora sufficient duration. Hence, look for interactive features that sustain your use; and help you actually apply whatever you learn. Also, a self-help app should help you to achieve improved functioning in the real-life context rather than result in excessive time spent in the online world
at the cost of your engagement in real relationships, tasks and responsibilities. A very essential point that users of self-help apps need to remember is that self-help has its own limitations and one must be aware of this. Here are a few scenarios which often imply that one must go beyond self-help app and consult a trained professional: when one’s problems are not improving, when one’s condition is severe or worsening or when symptoms are interfering significantly with one’s functioning, when one is not able to apply the suggestions in the app or when the app content does not seem to be personally relevant or useful. Remember! Taking care of yourself does not mean exclusive dependence on self-help. It includes being able to reach out and seek professional support at the right time! Dr. Seema Mehrotra Professor Dept. of Clinical Psychology NIMHANS
Do you Love your Gadgets more than anything? Sanjeev is an engineering graduate and has been attempting to clear his third year semester exams but could not succeed, he is unable to attend his regular classes as well. He developed a fear of being judged by his parents and friends as he could not succeed in his exams. He started to play games as a tool of distraction from his worries. Later, the hours of gaming increased to an entire day. As he spends more hours in gaming he avoids talking to his parents and friends and becomes more anxious and restless with regard to talking with people in person and worries about his future.
Love for Gadgets The list of modern day gadgets is exhaustive and it includes laptops, ipads, ipods, videogames, smart phones and play station. Many have at least one factor which creates an appeal or love for the gadgets among young people. Here are various reasons why youth love gadgets. Wonders of wonders: New technology, new updates gets upgraded every day in latest gadgets and this makes the youth feel that work would become easier and that gives an enthusiastic appeal.
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Amplifying the voice of mental health
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