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Happify is a positive psychology games and activities program. Learn more about the site and app, get information on when it is appropriate to use it, find out what young people thought of it, and read professional advice and young people’s tips for using it.
Happify is a website with accompanying app that provides a range of ‘brain-training’ games and activities based on principles of positive psychology, with good links to the evidence base behind positive psychology practice. The aim of the program is to help users improve their ability to practice the five ‘essential’ skills of happiness – the ability to savor, thank, aspire, give and empathise.
A user joins the site and completes initial questionnaires to obtain baseline data on their current state of happiness and wellbeing. They then have the choice of over 20 ‘tracks’ to complete on specific target areas for various life situations such as ‘Be Kinder to Yourself’ and ‘Build More Self Confidence’. New activities are made available each day and users can track their progress over time.
Pricing: Happify is free for one activity per day. To access additional features and games users can pay a subscription fee. We recommend trialling the free version with a young person and letting them decide for themselves whether it is worth paying the subscription.
Happify is suitable for older adolescents 16+ who:
Certain tracks of Happify would be applicable for young people with mental health difficulties, stress or those with a negative mindset. The principles of Positive Psychology can benefit all young people in a preventative way.
For a young person with a severe mental illness such as major depression, this site may not be a good place to start treatment.
I would use this tool to keep my brain ‘fit’ and make sure I’m mentally healthy.
- Michael
Likes
Dislikes
Young adolescents 10-15 may not find the information presented in a way that appeals to them – the people pictured are all adults.
I would introduce the theory of Positive Psychology and possibly review the section of the website called ‘The Science’ with the young person, which gives clear connections to the activities and the scientifically proven benefits. Given a task is made available on a track each day, I would suggest they complete the track before returning for their next appointment.
I would also promote the site to young people as something they could complete independent of receiving counseling and identify specific tracks that are age appropriate.
This website/app would also be useful to recommend to parents, given the tracks include ‘raise, happy resilient teens’.
Not very useful on its first use. Really great to use over an extended period of time.
Maybe talk about some of the activities in sessions, as many activities involve a lot of thought.
Appropriate for all ages!
This tool was reviewed by Chelsea and Michael, young people from the ReachOut.com community. Professional advice was provided by Angelique Foran (Clinical Psychologist) and Laura Allison (Psychologist).