Mobile Mental Health Apps from the National Center for PTSD: Digital Self-Management Tools for Co-Occurring Disorders

J Dual Diagn. 2021 Jul-Sep;17(3):181-192. doi: 10.1080/15504263.2021.1939919. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Abstract

Mobile mental health apps can help bridge gaps in access to care for those with substance use disorders and dual diagnoses. The authors describe a portfolio of free, publicly available mobile mental health apps developed by the National Center for PTSD. The authors also demonstrate how this suite of primarily non-substance use disorder-specific mobile mental health apps may support the active ingredients of substance use disorder treatment or be used for self-management of substance use disorder and related issues. The potential advantages of these apps, as well as limitations and considerations for future app development, are discussed.

Keywords: Mobile apps; mHealth; digital health; mental health; substance use; PTSD; recovery; self-management; self-care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Self-Management*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / complications
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / therapy