This is the backstory for Sunrise, our guided journaling app. After experiencing burnout twice, I looked into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Finding the right therapist, however, was costly and frustrating due to inconsistent quality and limited availability. While I eventually succeeded, many aren't as fortunate—roughly 122 million Americans still live in areas lacking sufficient mental health professionals.

This challenge led me to an unexpected source of support: mobile apps. Journaling apps, in particular, offered a unique solution for managing my anxiety. They were affordable, self-reliant, private, and portable tools that were also more active and introspective than meditation apps. Despite these benefits, existing journaling apps had their limitations: they focused more on record-keeping than on my mental health.

Drawing from these experiences, my cofounders and I made Sunrise, a journal therapy app that goes beyond simply recording daily events. Sunrise enhances mindfulness with evidence-based journal guides, visual mental health progress tracking, and "Positive Notes" for emotional support. Our goal is to provide individuals with the safest digital space to reflect, relax, and recharge on their path to better mental wellbeing.

You can see a detailed product demo in our website or download the app for free from July 23 to Aug 1 - let us know what you think HN Community. Cheers!

Links:

[Website & Demo](https://www.sunrise-app.com/?utm_source=hackernews&utm_mediu...)

[iOS Download](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6502430422)

[Android Download](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fimpact.su...)