I happened to run across an app called “COVID Coach,” published by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s designed to help civilians as well as veterans and active service members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a quick review of this very useful app.
The stated goal of COVID Coach is to “help you improve your self-care and overall mental health during these difficult times.” The app provides education about coping with the pandemic, self-care tools, tips to help improve your emotional well-being, and trackers for checking your mental health over time as well as trackers for personal goals.
The app is designed to be used as both a self-help tool and as an aid to formal treatment from a health care provider. The design is clear and easy to use. The home screen is divided into the following 4 areas, which then lead you to all the information contained in the app.
1) Manage Stress
This section includes tools for coping with stress, loneliness, sadness and hopelessness, anger and irritability, navigating relationships, sleep struggles and creating space for yourself.
Within each of these areas, you will find clear and simple instructions for an extensive variety of effective coping skills such as mindful breathing, soothing and positive images, body scan, deep breathing, listening to sounds from nature, muscle relaxation, and mindfulness skills. Many of the exercises include pre-recorded audio scripts which guide you through the skill in about 10 minutes or less.
Other exercises include connecting with others, having time alone, or activities that are oriented for use with children. Some tools can be personalized so you can add your own soothing pictures and songs, and your specific support contacts.
2) Learn
This part of the app provides brief educational materials in five key areas:
- “Staying Well” covers topics like managing irritability, finding humor, dealing with loneliness, harnessing frustration, practicing gratitude, prioritizing yourself and finding calm.
- “Staying Balanced” address the importance of sleep, being easy on yourself, doing what you can, sticking up for yourself, and managing being stuck at home.
- “Staying Together” includes topics such as noticing the positive, taking a time out, being a caregiver, fighting fairly and helping toddlers, preschoolers, young children and teenagers.
- “Staying Safe” topics address safety in relationships, protecting children, limiting alcohol and drug use, facing racism and recognizing warning signs of suicide.
- “Staying Healthy” covers handwashing, disinfecting, physical distancing, and what to do if you get sick.
3) Mood Check
This section includes instruction on goal setting, a well-being self-check, and mood trackers for depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
4) Find Resources
The final section of the app includes extensive resources for crisis support, finding a therapist online, substance use support, meeting your needs, staying informed about COVID-19, specific information for parents, caregivers, veterans, and service members, and additional apps to support your mental health.
I highly recommend the COVID Coach app, which will continue to be useful as we navigate different phases of the pandemic. Check it out and see if could benefit you, your family or friends, or others you care about.
Here’s a question: What other helpful mental health apps do you recommend? Please leave a comment. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend.