Mental Health and the Finch App

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988National Helpline 1-800-662-4357Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)[email protected] this episode of The Foster Dad Directive Podcast, I talk about my experience using the Finch, a mental health and habit-tracking app I originally discovered through one of my foster kids. I explain how it works through a small digital companion that grows as you complete daily goals, routines, and self-care tasks. You unlock items, outfits, and small adventures over time, and your Finch responds to your inputs in a way that’s meant to encourage reflection and consistency. I also share that I named my Finch after my dog Jade, who passed away in 2023, which sometimes leads to an emotional notification that says “Jade is waiting for you.”From my perspective, I really like what the app is trying to do, especially for kids or anyone working on mental health or building better habits. I’ve seen foster kids respond well to it for things like hygiene routines, taking medication, and building structure, and I appreciate how it creates a safe, low-pressure way to express emotions. At the same time, I admit it can feel a bit too interactive and notification-heavy for my personal style, since I tend to prefer simple checklists. Overall, I see it as a positive tool for mental health support and habit-building, especially for younger users or families trying to build routines together.00:00 – Introduction to the Finch Mental Health App00:17 – Disclaimer and Episode Setup00:35 – What the Finch App Is and How It Works00:56 – Personal Story: Naming My Finch After My Dog01:17 – Core Features: Quests, Interaction, and Feedback02:17 – Customization, Shop Items, Travel, and Friends03:24 – Using Finch for Daily Goals and Habit Tracking04:07 – Gratitude Prompts and Daily Reminders04:27 – Finch Plus, Accessibility, and Support Features05:13 – Benefits for Kids, Overwhelm, and Final Thoughts on Mental Healthhttps://kick.com/veterangamingcombineMy Podcast Serverhttps://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4pMy Patreonhttps://patreon.com/TheFosterDadDirective?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink