Accessing Mental Health Support for Business Leaders (Plus The Top 5 Apps)

Senior business leaders are often overlooked when it comes to mental health awareness and support but in reality are often at higher risk. Here are five ways to access mental health support for leaders.

It goes without saying that the pandemic has changed things, both in our personal and professional lives. And one particular change we have seen is in relation to mental health support.

During the pandemic, remote working became a necessity for many. Workers were forced to set up desks in their bedrooms, at the kitchen table, and in home offices to get their work done. And, due to the stress, uncertainty, and lockdowns, mental health suffered worldwide.

For businesses, it was up to HR Managers and Directors to come up with ways to support their employees remotely, while ensuring the continued success of their company. But oftentimes, the mental well-being of leaders themselves was overlooked.

In this article, we will look at the top five mental health applications available for senior executives.

Why Do Executives Need Mental Health Support?

Senior executives are often overlooked in terms of mental health support because they seem to have it all together. There is often a stigma attached to those who are successful in business and it often involves romantic tales of hard-earned success, huge salaries, and lives of luxury.

But in reality, there’s a flip side to that coin. In fact, studies have shown that executives are often at a greater risk of mental health issues because they have so many people depending on them. These demands cause many executives to feel like they don’t have the time or freedom to step away from work in order to recover.

What Are Mental Health Apps?

Mental health apps are applications that can be accessed via your mobile phone or other devices. They focus on supporting the mental health and well-being struggles of individuals in a sensitive, anonymous, and professional manner.

Each application focuses on a different mental health struggle, providing tools to support better sleep, improved stress management, reduced anxiety and depression, and enhanced relaxation (to name a few). Some mental health apps also offer access to treatment from experienced mental health professionals. These applications are revered for their accessibility, anonymity, engagement, convenience, and flexibility, and are only becoming increasingly popular.

Accessing Mental Health Support: The Top 5 Apps

Mental health support should be accessible to everyone. Below we have listed the top five apps we recommend for helping senior executives access the mental health support they need.

Please note that while these apps offer numerous ways to request help, track medications, stay engaged, and get educated, they should not and do not replace the support of a licensed therapist. While they can be great tools to help manage your mental health concerns, additional medical support should be sought out alongside this.

Moodfit

The creators of Moodfit understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. And with this in mind, they developed an application that is full of customizable tools and insights to help you discover what works best for you.

The app is completely adaptable to your goals and tracks your daily progress so that you can make changes where necessary. You can keep a mood journal and a gratitude journal to write down your thoughts and feelings in a safe space. There are also a whole host of helpful features such as meditations, breathing exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, and much more.

Moodfit was developed to be used alongside professional therapy sessions. The application lets you track everything you want to and then share this information, in the form of charts and other variables, with your therapist so they can better understand your needs. The app is completely free and was voted Best Overall Mental Health App of 2020 and 2021.

MoodKit

MoodKit is described as a one-of-a-kind app designed to support you in applying effective strategies of professional psychology to your everyday life. MoodKit is the perfect application for C-level executives wanting to take control of their mental health and more effectively manage their symptoms. 

Through mood-enhancing activities and cognitive-behavioral therapies, MoodKit is a scientifically supported mental health app that provides professional support when you need it. The app is designed to enhance your well-being through specific customized activities you can implement throughout the day. It’s professional mental health guidance right at your fingertips.

Talkspace

Talkspace is a high-rated mental health application that connects you to an extensive network of mental health professionals. All you need to do is fill in the brief assessment and select your therapist to get started.

The great thing about Talkspace is you can access therapy wherever and whenever you need it. There is no need to work your plans around in-person appointments or take time off work to fit in with your therapist. Talkspace is a completely flexible application that works alongside your needs and lifestyle.

All of the therapists on the Talkspace app have over 3,000 hours of clinical experience and specific training into areas including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and existential-humanistic approaches (to name a few). Talk to your therapist on your lunch break, on your commute, or from the comfort of your home. Talkspace is a popular mental health application used by professionals all over the world.

Calm

Anxiety is a common struggle for many high-level executives. So, it is important to promote calmness and focus on exercises that can help manage symptoms effectively. Calm is a popular application that stood out to us in our research. Not only is it an app we have heard of before, but it is one that is used by hundreds and thousands of people worldwide.

Calm was developed with a mission to make the world a happier, healthier place. With over 100 million downloads, it’s fair to say the app is extremely popular. Features include masterclass sessions, sleep support, meditation, and so much more. It’s the perfect companion to a busy working schedule and will help you manage any symptoms of anxiety or restlessness that are getting in the way of you doing your job effectively.

Bearable

Bearable is a mental health app that helps you track and manage your symptoms. The developers of Bearable understand that tracking the symptoms of mental illness can be a painstaking process, especially if your symptoms change from day to day. Bearable makes tracking your symptoms easier than ever before. Simply select how you’re feeling from a list of symptoms and you can track any changes over a period of time.

All the information you gather in the Bearable app can be sent in chart form to your doctor or therapist. They can then use this data to inform their treatment approach and find the best solutions for you. If you find it difficult to share how you’re feeling with a professional or to explain your symptoms on a day-to-day basis, Bearable is the mental health app for you.

Employee Engagement Activities to Support Mental Health for Business Leaders

Research shows that “low social interaction was reported to be similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and to being an alcoholic, to be more harmful than not exercising, and to be twice as harmful as obesity.”

And while team building activities might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about supporting the mental health of your organization’s leadership, they’re a key way to facilitate those important social connections.

If you’re looking for team building activities for senior leaders, we’ve got a few you might like.

Domino Effect Challenge

Silos in business occur as a result of teams and departments failing to communicate and collaborate. That’s why, for senior leadership, team building activities that focus on breaking down silos and integrating multiple departments can be tremendously valuable. With an activity like Domino Effect Challenge, your group will split into teams that will need to complete their own respective section of a chain reaction machine. But then, they will also need to come together as a full group to collaboratively assemble their sections into a fully functioning device.

CI: The Crime Investigators 

Clear communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are among the most critical points of focus for any leadership team. With a team building activity like CI: The Crime Investigators, you’ll need to think analytically and work together to collect evidence, decipher clues, and solve a mysterious and deadly crime.

Wheelchairs for Charity

Doing good deeds has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and make people feel better. That’s why philanthropic team building activities are a big hit among senior executives. Our Wheelchairs for Charity activity fuses philanthropy with real-world learning outcomes to help participants give back while sharpening their business skills. Together, teams will build and test fully functional wheelchairs before donating them to those in need. This exercise is great for helping leadership team members increase their empathy while enhancing their communication and collaboration skills.

And if you want even more inspiration, check our top team building activities for CEOs & Senior Executives.

Mental health apps are showing a great deal of potential, both as supplements to traditional therapy options and as effective treatment tools. They are most effective when used alongside a doctor or specialists’ professional advice. If you are a senior executive struggling with the demands of your job, try one of the mental health apps above. With the right support, you can take control of your mental health and improve your well-being for a happier, healthier life.

Want to Learn More About Team Building Activities That Can Support the Mental Wellbeing of Your Organization’s Leaders?

For more information about how team building can help support your leadership team’s mental health, reach out to our Employee Engagement Consultants.

Author Bio:

Gemma Williams

Gemma Williams is a well-established HR consultant, working remotely from as many coffee shops as she can find. Gemma has gained experience in a variety of roles throughout her career and is now looking to connect with a wider audience to share her thoughts and insights around workplace wellness and employee engagement in business.