It Starts With a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep and mental health go hand-in-hand. Not getting enough sleep can affect your psychological being and hinder your ability to think clearly. This information probably isn’t a huge surprise to most people, but how seriously do we take this correlation?

It’s reported that more than a third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep, while one in four people are affected by mental health disorders, with up to 90% of adults experiencing significant depression. Life can be hectic, and sometimes it feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day to prioritize sleep. However, studies have shown there is a strong correlation between mental health and sleep habits. When your body is deprived of a consistent good night’s rest, your mind is more susceptible to heightened anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.

In recognition of mental health month, we’re looking at ways self-help resources can not only improve your sleep habits but boost your mental health, too. myStrength is a mobile application that provides digital resources to help users balance their mind, body and spirit. The activities and resources available on the application are also meant to complement other forms of care such as medication or working with a mental health professional, if applicable.

Applications like Amazon or Netflix recognize the category of content you watch or view and feed you similar results. myStrength is similar. It will channel articles, activities and tools based on an individual’s mental health needs. When signing up for myStrength, users can personalize their experience and select areas of focus Including depression, anxiety, stress, substance use, chronic pain and sleep.  For example, if someone struggles with anxiety, myStrength offers step-by-step programs to help identify, manage and challenge anxious thoughts. All of the information on the application is science-based and thoroughly tested to ensure users receive the desired results.

In addition, myStrength offers a tool to help all users improve their sleep. Individuals construct a sleep plan through the myStrength Sleep Program, which uses a scientific method called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). The program provides users with many outlets to get their sleep back on track. Through videos, audio exercises and interactive modules, this easy-to-use sleep diary is great for tracking nightly progress. Weekly check-ins allow users to adjust based on individual progress made. Even if a person doesn’t feel like they suffer from consistent insomnia, the tools available on myStrength can help all users improve their sleep, leading to a clear mind and more rested body. myStrength is proven effective for up to 80% of treated persons, with results showing a 67% reduction in time spent lying awake at night.

Through the partnership, Netsmart extends the myStrength digital, evidence-based tools to all Netsmart behavioral health clients by integrating the content into its electronic health record (EHR) platforms and consumer engagement solutions. Netsmart also rolled out the innovative self-care resources to its associates. myStrength helps empower and educate Netsmart clients, associates and communities to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.

If you’re not already using the application, start your journey toward improved mental health and better sleep habits with this self-help, science-based application. Improved mental health begins with a good night’s sleep; download myStrength today.