Frequently asked questions

Mentha App is designed to lower the threshold for seeking support by providing anonymous, free peer support. Thee app also offers an easy way to find a brief therapist suitable for your needs when peer support isn’t enough or isn’t the right kind of help.

With just a few clicks, you can search for a peer on a topic of your choice. You can set your own criteria for the type of peer you’re looking for, and once a match is found, a private and anonymous chat opens between you and your peer. You can also choose to provide support rather than just seek it.

All peer support chats are fully anonymous. The app’s profile creation process is designed to safeguard your privacy. While chatting, remember not to share details that could compromise your anonymity, such as phone numbers, location, or social media usernames. When searching for a therapist, you can also send anonymous messages in-app. If you decide to book a session, some details will need to be shared directly with the therapist.

When you find a user matching your criteria, a chat will open between you two. Either user can start the conversation with a simple message.

A good way to begin is to briefly share what’s on your mind and why you wanted to discuss this topic. Sharing your thoughts while also listening and giving space to the other person’s experiences can create a mutually supportive conversation.

Mentha App is primarily designed to help prevent mental health issues from arising or worsening. Peer support is based on user-to-user interaction and does not replace professional help.

In life-threatening situations, please call emergency services, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact your local social and crisis services.

If you are Finnish, Mieli Ry’s crisis hotline is available for you in crisis situations: https://mieli.fi/mieli-ry/organisaatio/tietoakriisipuhelimesta/. For other nationalizations, please search for options available in your country.

If your conversation partner doesn’t feel like the right fit, the best choice is to end the chat, as forced conversations don’t benefit anyone.

It’s best to consider the other person’s feelings and politely let them know that you didn’t find the support or connection you were hoping for. If a user behaves inappropriately, you can report and block them within the chat settings.

Mentha App uniquely combines a low-threshold approach, authenticity, and security.

Creating a profile is as simple as possible while ensuring safety, and all peer support chats connect two people with shared experiences (and any criteria you set for a conversation partner). Using the app is voluntary, and connections are based on experience-driven matching.

Note: Mentha App is meant for initial mental health challenges and serves as a preventive tool. For more serious or complex mental health concerns, we recommend seeking help through public healthcare in Finland. If you are not in Finland, search for your country’s options. 

While peer support can help manage most issues, sometimes it’s not enough. In Mentha, you can search for a suitable brief therapist who can help you navigate your challenges.

You can send feedback anonymously through the app settings. If you wish, you can also email us at team@mentha.app.

The phone number used for login is the only identifiable information, meaning it’s the only data that can directly identify an individual. It is not stored with other user data in the database, but in exceptional cases, a phone number linked to a profile may be found through Firebase Authentication. Such cases can be for example blocking the phone number of a user violating the rules.

To improve the app, we collect anonymous data on app usage, functionality, user activity, and device information.

Mentha App uses Google’s Firebase service to manage user data and messages. This information is protected by Google’s own security measures and encrypted during transfer between the app and the server. User data collected is not shared with third parties.

Please note that maintaining anonymity and security also depends on the user. Do not share information that could reveal your identity with other users.