According to the World Health Organization, one in four people are affected by mental illness. With a statistic like that, it is not surprising that there's an entire world of apps created to help people who are suffering with a mental illness. These apps range from meditation and yoga, to soundscapes, to motivational quotes.
There is an app called BoosterBuddy, created by Island Health, that is available and free on the App Store and Google Play. According to the description, BoosterBuddy is a free app designed to help teens and young adults improve their mental health. Manage your personal wellness journey and earn achievements as your sidekick guides you through a series of daily quests designed to establish and sustain positive habits." You might think that's a huge job for any app, especially one that's as simple and user friendly as BoosterBuddy but the app is incredible. It works as a way for you to track your mood from day to day as well as completing everyday tasks. The app even reminds you to take your medication, if you have any!
Here's how the app works:
Once you open the app, you're asked if you would like to enable notifications. The answer is yes! This is how the app reminds you to check in or to take your medication! After that comes the hardest part of this app. You now have to choose who you want as your buddy!
Once you've chosen your buddy, they give you the rundown for the app. Essentially, you and your buddy take care of one another. Your buddy relies on you to wake them up everyday. In order to do that, however, you must first complete three "quests," which are usually basic day to day actions or supplying more information so your buddy can better fulfill your needs!
However, one thing that is very important to note: BoosterBuddy is not a substitute for a mental health professional.
Once you agree to the terms and conditions, as well as agree to share some information with your buddy, you're ready to begin setting up your "profile." Rest assured, you remain anonymous. As you follow the prompts, you're asked a few yes/no questions about your mental health, such as your sleep schedule, your general mood and your day to day activity. It will then ask if you take daily medication or PRN's. This is where you schedule your reminders! All of this information and these answers can always be changed in the settings. The initial questions take less than five minutes. Easy peasy!
Once you've completed your questions, your buddy is ready for a nap. While they sleep, you're asked to check in. These questions are follow-up questions to the answers that you answered previously, beginning with your mood. The rest depends on the other answers you supplied. For example, if you use drugs or alcohol, it will ask if you've used them in the last 24 hours.
Finally, you get to see your sleeping buddy. Here's where those three quests come in. While setting up, these quests are to set up a crisis plan, create a coping statement - or your own personal mantra - and to add an emergency contact. However, as you continue to use the app, the quests can be anything from brushing your teeth to setting long and short-term goals. As you complete the quests, you receive gold coins that can be exchanged for clothes and accessories for your buddy!
Once your buddy wakes up, they share a quote and some motivational words to help you through! Come back the next day to wake your buddy up, and continue to collect your coins. You can also explore other tabs located along the bottom of the screen and input more information to help your buddy better help you!
If you feel you need help with completing everyday tasks or need the extra support, please give the app a try. It's free to download and it can be life-changing - which means you have nothing to lose!
Keep on keeping on, my friends. You're not alone.
