1. Person-centred care
1.1. Holistic service as it takes into consideration people's lives, culture and religion.
1.2. I am able to tailor the service and have more control over my experience whilst using this app as a means to improve my mental health so it suita my needs/preferences.
1.3. Supported me to learn and strengthen my understing of my health
1.4. Provides personalised care, as I took a short survey at the start where it asked me what my goals are/what I aim to improve through the apps use and the app narrowed down the content it displayed to me to suit my goals/preferences.
1.4.1. Reduce stress, Better sleep, Build self esteem and Reduce anxiety
1.5. Accessible and affordable
1.5.1. Can acess their services through different platforms, my mobile device and computer.
1.6. Engaged & activated
1.6.1. Gave me the confidence and skills to self-manage and empowered me to take my own approach in improving my mental health
1.7. Evidence based
2. Benefits of app
2.1. Caters for a wide age group, starting from as young as 3 with there 'sleep stories' that I'd play to little cousins which worked like a charm.
2.2. App includes 30-day meditation / practicing mindfulness programs which makes it easier to keep commited to improving your mental health
2.3. New content is added periodically
2.4. Provides an easily accessible facet for me to take intiative and improve my mental health
2.5. Push-notifications sets off reminders through out the day to keep me on track of my 30-day mindfulness program.
3. Limitations of app
3.1. Premium subsription is always on auto-renewal, therefore I'm more likely to pay for a longer service than anticipated if I'm not on top of my subscription list. It is also difficult to unsubscribe.
3.2. Poor customer service - unresponsive
3.3. Can download some of the features/services the app provides but for the most part features are only accessible online/with an internet connection.
3.4. Privacy
3.4.1. It's stated in their privacy policy, (updated 15th Jan 2021) that they may record phone or video calls during coaching programs only when provided consent. Private information may be shared during these online session which isn't a concerning factor with in-person sessions.
3.5. Must be 13 years and older to use service and 18 to purchase premium membership
3.6. Replacing/neglecting proffesional care
4. Social & cultural epidemiological evidence
4.1. In a 2020 study, use of the app decreased depression and anxiety symptoms in 80 people with myeloproliferative neoplasm (type of blood cancer).
4.2. In a 2019 study, a routine use of CALM reduced 88 university students stress levels and increased mindfullness and self-compassion skills.
5. Epidemiological considerations
5.1. App works to improve the health and wellbeing of society by creating a partly free service to motivate people to begin and fully engage in practices to improve their mental health.
6. Societal influences that impact engagement with CALM app
6.1. Social determinants of health
6.1.1. The social gradient
6.1.1.1. Those with a higher socioeconmic status would be in a more comfortable position to pay for the premium membership on the app which unlocks more features such as a larger selection of guided meditations, music tracks for sleep, focus, etc and Master classes taught by world-renowned experts.
6.1.1.2. CALM app requires a mobile device and an internet connection to use, so those in a lower SES which is linked to higher levels of ill health may not have access to this app.
6.1.1.3. Gap between rich and poor continues to increase, widening the differences in health which therefore has an adverse effect on the apps engagement rates.
6.1.2. Stress
6.1.2.1. One of the apps main focus is stress relief, providing services such as online meditation, music and soundscapes to decrease stress.
6.1.3. Early life
6.1.3.1. I've been lucky enough to have access to a good education from early years allowing me to understand all the different facets open to me to increase my level of health, including the CALM app that was introduced to me in highschool.
6.1.3.2. Familiarity and access to technology in early life and throughout my life has made me welcome digital health applications with open arms as I trust, feel comfortable and quickly grasp how to manavour around the apps features.
6.1.4. Work
6.1.4.1. Balancing working two jobs and university can sometimes be overwhelming due to the fast-paced environment and the pressure to meet expectations such as individual KPI's.
6.1.4.2. Working has provided me the income to pay for luxuries such as a premium membership on the CALM app, it's meditation and soundscapes features alway decrease my anxiety and allow me to start my day with a clear head and good mindset.
6.1.5. Social support
6.1.5.1. Being surrounded by supportive family, friends and work collegues decreases my engagement with the app as having a good support system minimises the stresses in my life so I don't feel like I have to face everything alone.
7. Cultural influences that impact engagement with CALM app
7.1. Cultural determinants of health
7.1.1. Self-determination
7.1.1.1. CALM app allows individuals, like myself, and communites such as Indigenous communities to meet their social, cultural and economic needs through providing an accessible online service, including one guided meditation by an Indigenous Australian.
7.1.1.1.1. The App could improve by having more representation and soundscapes/guided meditations by Indigenous Australian's but it's a good start.
7.1.2. Freedom from discrimination
7.1.2.1. This service eliminates chance of discrimination that may occur with in-person services as it's all self-guided.