When Technology Meets the Black Dog: Can Apps and Gadgets Help Our Mental Health?

Living with depression , or what Winston Churchill famously called his “black dog” , often means battling through days when even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming. Getting out of bed, replying to a message, brushing your teeth , things that usually feel automatic can suddenly seem like climbing a mountain.

In recent news, the UK government announced funding for new technologies designed to support people with their mental health. These range from smart glasses that help people with depression by recognising household objects and prompting daily tasks, to AI apps that aim to ease debilitating anxiety.

It raises an important question: can technology help us carry the black dog more lightly?

Here are a few thoughts, and some tips, on making technology a supportive friend, rather than a burden.

1. See tech as a helper, not a cure

Apps and gadgets can give us a nudge in the right direction, but they aren’t magic fixes. A reminder to take your medication, or a calming exercise guided by an app, can be useful tools in your toolkit.

But the most powerful form of support is still human connection; whether that’s talking to a friend, opening up to a colleague, or connecting with a peer who’s been through something similar. Tech is there to assist, not replace.

2. Try digital nudges

When depression makes motivation feel impossible, gentle reminders can take the edge off decision-making.

• Set alarms for small, achievable things like drink a glass of water or stretch for two minutes.
• Try habit-tracking apps that focus on micro-goals. Instead of aiming for “30 minutes of exercise,” maybe it’s “put on trainers and walk around the block.”

These little nudges don’t cure the black dog, but they can stop it from pulling you deeper into inertia.

3. Track your mood to spot patterns

When we’re in the thick of it, days can blur together. Mood-tracking apps or journaling tools can help shine a light on the rhythm of your mental health.

You might notice:

• Evenings feel harder.
• Certain social media use fuels your anxiety.
• Mondays consistently bring you down.

Awareness helps you prepare. For example, if you know evenings feel heavier, you could plan a soothing routine: a hot shower, a book, or calling someone who “gets it.”

4. Balance screen time

The irony of tech is that while some tools help, others can harm. Doomscrolling, endless notifications, and comparison on social media can deepen the shadows.

Try:

• Switching off non-essential notifications.
• Using screen-time limits.
• Following accounts that lift you up rather than pull you down.

Remember: you’re in control of your feed.

5. Human connection matters most

At the heart of it, apps and gadgets can’t give us what a conversation can. Talking to someone who’s walked in your shoes, who understands what it means when you say “the black dog is heavy today,” can be the lifeline you need.

Final thought
Technology is moving fast, and it has real potential to help lighten the daily load. But if the apps feel overwhelming, or if they start to make you feel worse, it’s okay to put the phone down.

Because the most powerful support will always be human, and you don’t need to face the black dog alone.

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