11 Apps That Will Help Improve Your Mental Health
I love the smell of possibility in the morning.
Wake Up Rosie
Lady Scout Studio
Wake Up Rosie
1. Wake Up Rosie!
The concept for Wake Up Roise is simple: it’s an alarm clock that wakes you up to the sound of music, and when you first check your phone the image you see is a beautifully illustrated positive affirmation.
It's the brainchild of Melbourne teacher and artist Ally Oliver-Perham and policy researcher Georgie Proud, and key to the app is its Aussie flavour: it features artwork and music by upcoming musicians and illustrators. Launched in November, the app is a complement to the duo’s website Rosie, a portal that offers practical information and inspirational advice on mental health and body image for young women.
The format is supported by research from mental health organisations including Black Dog Institute and Mission Australia that suggests embracing rather than avoiding technology is one of the most effective ways for Australians to find the support they need to cope with mental ill-health.
“They other thing they pointed to was the power of positive affirmation at the beginning and end of the day as a way to centre yourself,” says Oliver-Perham.
“[The internet] is just a junkyard, there’s so much out there that’s written with an agenda. We wanted to be a different voice in that space.”
“So we constantly talk about how smart and amazing young people are. Always trying to put across the message that you can do anything and you don’t need to listen to naysayers or the companies peddling their latest product. You don’t have to listen to that, we want you to know that we’re in your corner.”
Wake Up Rosie is currently available for iOS and is fundraising to develop an Android version for 2016. You can download Wake UP Rosie for free via wakeuprosie.org.au.
Wake Up Rosie / Empat Lima / Via wakeuprosie.org.au