Finch: The therapy app that hopes to aid in long term depression

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The stats of my Finch penguin that include many small details that indicate the overall health of it.

Olivia Marcantuono

The stats of my Finch penguin that include many small details that indicate the overall health of it.

   What is finch?

   Finch is a free therapy app that is available on the Iphone and Ipad from the Google Play or App Store. Finch lets you take care of a baby penguin and it gives you tasks to do to take care of yourself. The more tasks you do throughout the day, the more your penguin grows up; you can also buy your penguin clothes and accessories with gems you earn from completing tasks.

  The app also helps users take care of themselves, their physical health, control their breathing, reflect thoughtfully on their mental health,  and set goals for the day. All the categories focus on topics like morning reflections, goals for the future, affirmations for the day, sleep goals, morning stretches, anxiety breathing, and much more.

  One of the coolest features of the app is the soundscapes section. In soundscape you can listen to sounds like forest river sounds, tropical fort sounds, rainy leave sounds, the AC system, train cabin sounds, and much more comforting sounds.

   How can Finch help with your depression : Finch can help people in all sorts of ways, but it is not to be used as a cure for depression.

   For example, when asked about Finch a student at Eastern said, “I use Finch all the time. My penguin’s name is Loki. I personally find it very hard to care for myself due to my own depression and anxieties, but Finch makes me want to take care of myself. Finch has gotten me to start eating full meals again, I do weekly breathing sessions, and I even started writing out my emotions. The app always asks me how I’m feeling when I log into it. And you can even add your friends’ penguins to your tree town.” 

   What does long term depression look like? Long term depression stems from untreated depression. 

   According to HelpGuide.org, it means “feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life, but when emotions such as hopelessness and despair take hold and just won’t go away, you may have depression. More than just sadness in response to life’s struggles and setbacks, depression changes how you think, feel, and function in daily activities. It can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. Just trying to get through the day can be overwhelming.” 

   Helplines: You can call anytime you have questions about depression or substance use disorders. Phone Number: 1-(800)-662-HELP (4357). MentalHealth.gov: This website provides information about mental health disorders and available treatments –  https://www.psychguides.com/hotlines/depression/