Smart Phone resiliency apps

By U.S. ArmyFebruary 28, 2013

T2 Mood Tracker is a mobile application that allows users to self-monitor, track and reference their emotional experience over a period of days, weeks and months using a visual analogue rating scale. Users can self-monitor emotional experiences associated with common deployment-related behavioral health issues like post-traumatic stress, brain injury, life stress, depression and anxiety. Additional rating can also be added. With each self-rating, notes on environmental influences on emotional experiences can be added. Self-monitoring results can be a self-help tool or they can be shared with a therapist or health care professional, providing a record of the patient's emotional experience over a selected time frame.

PTSD Coach was developed by T2 in cooperation with the Veteran Affairs Administration's National Center for PTSD. The goal was to develop a mobile application to assist Veterans and Active Duty personnel (and civilians) who are experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).It is intended to be used as an adjunct to psychological treatment, but can also serve as a stand-alone education tool. The CCT app is available for download on the Apple iTunes App Store and the Android Market. Click on the links or scan the QR codes shown on the right side of the page. Key features of the app include:

Self-Assessment: Self-assessment of PTSD symptoms with individualized feedback, and ability to track changes in symptoms over time. The assessment does not formally diagnose PTSD. Manage Symptoms: Coping skills and assistance for common kinds of posttraumatic stress symptoms and problems, including systematic relaxation and self-help techniques. Find Support: Assistance in finding immediate support. The app enables individuals to identify personal sources of emotional support, populate the phone with those phone numbers, and link to treatment programs. And in an emergency, users can quickly link to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Learn about PTSD: Education about key topics related to trauma, PTSD, and treatment.

Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool. Built on the iPhone mobile app platform, Breathe2Relax is a hands-on diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body's 'fight-or-flight' (stress) response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management.Breathe2Relax can be used as a stand-alone stress reduction tool, or can be used in tandem with clinical care directed by a healthcare worker.

Capitalizing on touch-screen technology, a user can record their stress level on a 'visual analogue scale' by simply swiping a small bar to the left or to the right. Breathe2Relax uses state-of-the-art graphics, animation, narration, and videos to deliver a sophisticated, immersive experience for the user.

Breathe2Relax featured on The Dr. Oz Show on December 31, 2012.

The Tactical Breather application can be used to gain control over physiological and psychological responses to stress. Through repetitive practice and training, anyone can learn to gain control of your heart rate, emotions, concentration, and other physiological and psychological responses to your body during stressful situations.Many of the techniques taught in this application were provided with permission by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman from his book "On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace".

Although these techniques were developed primarily for the warfighter during intense combat situations, anyone can benefit from the ideas taught in this application to help with nearly any stressful situation in life.

LifeArmor Touch-screen technology allows the user to browse information on 17 topics, including sleep, depression, relationship issues, and post-traumatic stress. Brief self-assessments help the user measure and track their symptoms, and tools are available to assist with managing specific problems. Videos relevant to each topic provide personal stories from other service members, veterans, and military family members.

After selecting a topic area, information is organized into four main menu items:

Learn: Comprehensive information on the causes, characteristics, and potential solutions to emotional, relationship, and other common mental health problems that face the military community. Assess: Brief self-assessment tools to help the user measure and track symptoms relevant to the topic area. Tools: Information and guidance on techniques to self-manage problems relevant to the topic area.

Videos: Testimony from members of the military community about their struggle to overcome problems relevant to the topic area.

The Positive Activity Jackpot app uses augmented reality technology to combine a phone's GPS and camera to find nearby enjoyable activities or pleasant diversions.

You begin by selecting people from your contacts who you might want to invite for an activity. You then select your favorite activities from an extensive list of pre-programmed activities. If you cannot make up your mind which fun thing to do, "pull the lever" and let the app's jackpot function make the choice for you. This app uses a professional behavioral health therapy called pleasant event scheduling, or PES, which is used to overcome depression. While this app does not require clinical training to use, it should not be used as a substitute for treatment by a therapist.

PE Coach is the first mobile app designed to support the tasks associated with prolonged exposure treatment for PTSD. Providing hip-pocket access to the necessary tools for successful PE participation, the app includes audio recording capability for easy playback after sessions; tools to support patient tasks between sessions; and visual displays of symptom reduction over time.In addition, PE Coach is integrated with smartphone calendar functionality to encourage patient recall and session attendance.

PE Coach will help providers and patients overcome certain barriers to PE implementation, dissemination, and adherence. For a free download, log on to the Apple App Store or Android Market.

Circle of Six

With Circle of 6, you can connect with your friends to stay close, stay safe and prevent violence before it happens. The Circle of 6 app for your iPhone makes it quick and easy to reach the 6 friends you choose. Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two touches lets your circle know where you are and how they can help. Icons represent actions; so that no one can tell what you're up to. Designed for college students, it's fast, easy-to-use and private. It's the mobile way to look out for your friends, on campus or when you're out for the night.

WHAT IT DOES

You're out late and you lose track of your friends. Use Circle of 6 to send your circle a "come and get me" message with a map using GPS to show your precise location. You're on a date that starts to get uncomfortable. You need a polite way to excuse yourself. Use Circle of 6 to alert your circle to call you and interrupt the situation. You're seeing someone new, but you have some doubts about how things are going. Use Circle of 6 to access a wealth of online information about healthy relationships. In critical situations, use Circle of 6 to call two pre-programmed national hotlines or a local emergency number of your choice.

The DoD Safe Helpline app gives members of the military community access to resources and tools to help manage the short- and long-term effects of sexual assault. The app helps you create a plan that is right for you, from exercises that aid in reducing stress to tools to help you transition to civilian life. You can even store your customized plans and exercises so you can refer back to them at any time. The app has four sections:

FIND SUPPORT: Get live 1-on-1 help from trained sexual assault professionals -- by phone or through an anonymous online chat session. You can also find nearby resources to help you through your military-to-civilian transition. LEARN: Receive guidance on what to do if someone you know is sexually assaulted and learn about the many effects of sexual assault. If you're currently separating from Service, you'll also find a comprehensive list of benefits and services that you may be eligible to receive.

PLAN: Access non-medical, short-term support options and create a customized self-care plan to address feelings of sadness, anxiety and disconnection.

EXERCISE: Use these guided, easy-to-follow techniques to help reduce anxiety and stress that may result from sexual assault. The exercises can be used in private, marked as "favorites" and replayed as often as needed.

To learn more about Safe Helpline, visit www.SafeHelpline.org.

The Wingman Toolkit mobile app offers Airman and their families access to useful information and resources to help them overcome stress and strengthen their abilities to confront life's challenges. The mobile app is equipped with:

-- A breakdown of the Four Pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness to help you and others improve physically, mentally, spiritually and socially

-- Quick access to the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

-- A handy working level to help you balance real life projects, and serve as a visual reminder to maintain a balanced lifestyle

Download the app for iPhone and Android today at www.AFRC.WingmanToolkit.org.