Mental Health Apps
Therapy, meditation, and crisis lines.
BetterHelp
$280-400/moLargest online therapy. Match with therapist in 24h. Video, chat, phone.
Best therapy.
Talkspace
$260-400/moSimilar to BetterHelp. Sometimes covered by Medicare Advantage.
Best insurance match.
Calm
$70/yrSleep stories, meditations, breathing. Famous for sleep audio.
Best for sleep.
Headspace
$70/yrGuided meditation. 10-min/day basics. Senior-friendly.
Best meditation.
Insight Timer
FREE / $60/yrFree meditation library. 130,000+ guided sessions. Strong free tier.
Best free.
NAMI HelpLine
FREE1-800-950-6264. Mental health crisis support, M-F 10-10 ET.
Best free crisis.
Crisis right now?
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988. 24/7. Free.
- Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741.
- Veterans Crisis Line — call 988, press 1.
- SAMHSA Helpline — 1-800-662-4357. Free, 24/7.
Senior mental health
- Depression often shows differently in seniors — fatigue, withdrawal, "just getting old".
- Untreated depression is NOT normal aging.
- Loneliness raises mortality more than smoking.
- Therapy works for depression at ANY age.
- Medicare covers psychiatry + therapy with referral.
- Group therapy / senior centers reduce isolation.
Find a real therapist
- Psychology Today — directory by zip + insurance + specialty.
- Medicare provider finder — medicare.gov/care-compare.
- Inclusive Therapists, Therapy for Black Girls — community-specific.
- Open Path Collective — $30-80 sliding-scale therapy.
- Geriatric specialists — search "geriatric mental health" + city.
Apps don't replace therapy
Meditation apps help. Therapy helps MORE. If you're struggling, ask doctor for a referral. Medicare + most Medicare Advantage cover mental health visits the same as physical visits.