I bet there’s an app for that: Using mental health apps to manage anxiety and depression

INTERVENTION: The interventions for this research consist of five mental health apps: 1. Destressify 2. MoodMission 3. Smiling Mind 4. MindShift 5. SuperBetter All apps are freely available on the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) and Google Play (for Android devices). All participants will receive the same general instructions for using the app, no matter which app they have been assigned to: "We would like you to use this app for at least 10 mins per day, 5 days p.w. for at least 10 wks. (We will tell you when the “officialâ€? use period has finished, but you will be able to keep using the app after this time if you want to.) If you want to use it for longer than 10 mins per day and more than 5 days p.w., this is OK – it’s up to you. As long as you’re using it for at least 10 mins per day, 5 days p.w. After participants are randomised into an app group, they will be given specific information about the app, including download instructions. All apps have websites with further information and evidence for their effectiveness published in peer‐reviewed journals as follows: 1. Destressify: Lee, R. A., & Jung, M. E. (2018). https://www.destressify.com/ Summary of instructions given to participants: Destressify was developed in the United States and is based on a technique called mindfulness, with a focus on reducing stress. When you first open Destressify, there is the option of watching a 12‐minute video about “what is stress?â€?. It is not essential that you watch this. If you want to skip this video, tap on the “Get Startedâ€? button. You will need to create an account by providing an e‐mail address, password, and other information. Follow the instructions to do this. If you’re concerned about your data, read the privacy policy at https://www.destressify.com/privacy/ . When you have finished creating your profile, you are given the option to either “View My Planâ€? or “View Practicesâ€?. The View My Plan option opens the core plan of min CONDITION: Anxiety;Depression; ; Anxiety ; Depression Mental Health ‐ Anxiety Mental Health ‐ Depression INCLUSION CRITERIA: INCLUSION CRITERIA: Must be over 18 years of age. Must have a smartphone or tablet device capable of downloading the app, and able to send daily Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS) ratings to the Student Researcher. Must be experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, according to a self‐report inventory and verified by the Student Researcher (who is an experienced Clinical Psychologist). PRIMARY OUTCOME: % change in anxiety score for both the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐42) and the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ‐45). A daily Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS) rating will be obtained that will also provide a measure of anxiety for comparison with the other outcome measures. Level of clinical significance in % change will be calculated using the framework suggested by Jacobson & Truax (1991), and Jacobson et al. (1999). These will result in a composite primary outcome of anxiety level for each participant.[There are five timepoints in total: Commencement, then a minimum of 3 weeks to Pre‐Intervention, then 10 weeks to Post‐Intervention, then 3‐Week Follow‐Up, and 6‐Month Follow‐up. Analyses will be conducted from one timepoint to the next, as well as an overall measure from Commencement to 6‐Month Follow‐Up, which is the primary timepoint. It is this final analysis that is of most interest from Commencement to 6‐Month Follow‐Up because this will provide an indication of the long‐term effects of the intervention.] % change in depression score for both the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐21) and the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ‐45). A daily Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS) rating will be obtained that will also provide a measure of depression for comparison with the other outcome measures. Level of clinical significance in % change will be calculated using the framework suggested by Jacobson & Truax (1991), and Jacobson et al. (1999). These will result in a composite primary outcome of depression level for each participant.[There are five timepoints in total: Commencement, then a minimum of 3 weeks to Pre‐Intervention, then 10 weeks to Post‐Intervention, then 3‐Week Follow‐Up, and 6‐Month Follow‐up. Analyses will be conducted from one timepoint to the next, as well as an overall measure from Commencement to 6‐Month Follow‐Up, which is the primary timepoint. It is this final analysis that is of most interest from Commencement to 6‐Month Follow‐Up because this will provide an indication of the long‐term effects of the intervention.] SECONDARY OUTCOME: % change in stress score for both the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐42) and the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ‐45). A daily Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS) rating will be obtained that will also provide a measure of stress for comparison with the other outcome measures. Level of clinical significance in % change will be calculated using the framework suggested by Jacobson & Truax (1991), and Jacobson et al. (1999). These will result in a composite secondary outcome of stress level for each participant.[There are five timepoints in total: Commencement, then a minimum of 3 weeks to Pre‐Intervention, then 10 weeks to Post‐Intervention, then 3‐Week Follow‐Up, and 6‐Month Follow‐up. Analyses will be conducted from one timepoint to the next, as well as an overall measure from Commencement to 6‐Month Follow‐Up. It is this final analysis that is of most interest from Commencement to 6‐Month Follow‐Up because this will provide an indication of the long‐term effects of the intervention.] Each participant will assess the overall quality and impressions of the app they used by completing a Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). [This will occur at the completion of the Intervention phase.]