Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days

Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days app

  • An app for young people aged 16–25 years, who feel over-whelmed or stressed in their current situation.

yellow unaunahi tile
Print this page

Whitu 7 Ways in 7 Days app By University of Auckland

Features

  • Teaches self-help skills.
  • Tracking.
  • Reminders.
  • Graphs and reporting.
Country of origin New Zealand
Clinical review 

5 star review


Read a clinical review below.

Security and privacy Does the app:
  • Collect medical information? No
  • Require a login? No
  • Have password protection? No
  • Have a privacy policy? No
  • Require internet access to use? No

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost Free
Advertisements This app contains no ads.
How to get the app

The Whitu app comprises a 7 day plan which has been clinically designed to provide young people, aged 16–25 years, with strategies to reduce their anxiety, improve their well-being and help them to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The 7 modules to support young people to learn and practice evidence-based coping skills include:

  • Feel
  • Relax
  • Be kind to yourself
  • Be thankful
  • Connect
  • Look after your body
  • Set goals.

The app is specific to a New Zealand audience as it uses local voices and Māori language and symbols, and uses a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing. For a more detailed review, see reviews below. 

PROS CONS 

Audio clips are well paced.

Has text transcripts that follow the audio.

✔ Clear and concise explanation of each of the modules.

✔ Gives a great introduction of evidence based psychological tools and treatments in short, easy to understand modules.

✔ Covers main psychotherapy techniques such as
mindfulness, relaxation, kindness and gratitude.

✔ Creative way to show progress using a growing tree, so users can visualise their journey.

✔ Attractive graphics.

 If users exit out of a module, they have to restart the module. However users can easily navigate through the audio tracks to manually resume their previous progress.

Clinical review

5 star review



Reviewer
: Dr Peter Ou, GP, FRNZCGP, Auckland
Date of review: November 2021
Platform: Apple iOS
Version: 1.0.1 
Comments: Whitu app was created to support mental wellbeing during a pandemic (covid-19). The app guide users through a series of modules that teaches the importance of recognising ones’ emotions and provide accompanying exercises to improve and support these emotions for a better mental health state. The app is designed to help users through a pandemic, however is also applicable for use outside of those settings. It is most useful for those that feel over-whelmed or stressed in their current situation, suffering from symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness or are affected by the pandemic. Users can progress through the app modules, support their day-today well-being by recognising their feelings and gaining tools to manage and improve their emotions.
Overall, Whitu is an effective and visually appealing app that introduces users to the importance of mental wellbeing and evidence based tools and exercises to maintain this. See results of a pilot study here.(external link)(external link)
Safety concerns
: None.
New Zealand relevance: Made specifically for NZ users in a culturally appropriate way. NZ support services are integrated into the app (e.g. Lifeline and Youthline).

References

  1. Well-being app to support young people during the COVID-19 pandemic: randomised controlled trial (external link) BMJ Open, 2021 
  2. Coping Skills Mobile App to Support the Emotional Well-Being of Young People During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study(external link) JMIR Res Protoc 2020;9(10):e23716
  3. Pilot study of a well-being app to support New Zealand young people during the COVID-19 pandemic(external link) Internet Interventions 26 (2021) 100464

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.