The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) app functions like a templated digital notebook for documenting progress when attending a WRAP programme. The app has a few sections, such as:
wellness toolbox section
daily plan
stressors
early warning signs
when things are breaking down
crisis plan
post-crisis plan
This app is designed to be used alongside the WRAP programme. It is best used with a support person, support group or in a WRAP group.
✔ Works like a notebook to document your Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
✔ Has a tutorial section with instructions on how to use the app.
✘ The email function didn’t work at the time of review.
✘ Technology has not been leveraged to its full potential here and it is very unlikely to be helpful outside the context of a group WRAP programme.
✘ Limited education about the programme.
Review details
Date of review: December 2019 Platform reviewed: Android Version: 2.0 Download size: 21 MB Updated: 27 March 2019
App developer
If you are the developer and would like to provide updated information about this app, please email the app library manager at applibrary@healthnavigator.org.nz.
Disclaimer: Health Navigator’s 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.
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy Steinberg, GP Date of review: December 2019 Comments: The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) programme, first designed in 1997, is a peer-based group programme designed to help people with mental illness build a pathway to recovery. The programme uses hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy and support. There are 6 self-management systems – wellness toolbox, daily maintenance plan, stressors, early warning signs, plan for when things are breaking down and a crisis plan.
It is regarded as evidence based and has a small impact on improving self-perceived recovery but has no effect on reducing symptoms.There is some precedent for use in New Zealand.2,3
Overall, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan programme, and by extension the app, is not a panacea, but it may be helpful for some people. Users and clinicians recommending the app should be aware that the programme is designed to be group based with 8–10 weekly sessions with a facilitator. Therefore, its usefulness would depend on what is available in the user’s area and what level of support they are able to access. There may be organisations in the user’s area where they may be able access these groups, such as Ember Korowai Takitini in Auckland.
WRAP only has modest benefits when used with guidance from a facilitator in a peer-based structured programme, which is the context in which it has been studied. Therefore, I would be surprised if there was any benefit in using the app in isolation and outside of that context, except perhaps for the most motivated and health-literate users. The app has no features to increase engagement.
It would be great to see technology being leveraged to its full potential and have virtual weekly sessions to allow more independent use for those who aren't able to access the proper programme. At present, the app is little more than a templated digital notebook.
Safety concerns: None New Zealand relevance: Relevant to New Zealand users.
