4 Innovative Startups Addressing Mental Health

May 11, 2020

mental health awareness

4 Innovative Startups Addressing Mental Health

The dissipating stigma that once surrounded mental health is now paving the way for an influx of creative ideas, new businesses and top talent in the space.

Previous negative connotations surrounding mental health and a lack of access to care forced many people to suffer in silence. Recently, the mental health field has become extremely profitable and is implementing more advanced technology after stigmas have been removed and awareness has increased. Driven in part by the wellness boom and a large number of new health technology startups, the market for behavioral and mental health software is expected to reach $4.77B by 2026.

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, social isolation, loneliness and addiction impact almost every human on the planet:

  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year

  • 1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year

  • 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6 to 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year

  • 300 million people globally suffer from depression and anxiety annually according to the World Health Organization

  • Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34

In observation of Mental Health Awareness Month, here’s a list of 4 startups who are making it easier to receive mental health care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Somni (JSF ‘18)

Sleep is essential to mental health. However, providers are faced with overnight shift work that can cause negative disruptions to metabolic, hormonal and mental health. In the short-term, shift work leads to an array of jet-lag-like symptoms which affect cognitive performance, alertness and decision making. To combat increased shift work of medical personnel and support staff during the COVID-19 outbreak, Somni is offering 40% off their sleep health kits, coaching and sleep health program.

Somni sleep health kits are designed to help improve sleeping conditions and sleep hygiene. Each sleep health kit contains a portable white noise machine, liquid melatonin, organic caffeine-free tea, nasal strips, lavender aromatherapy, high-quality earplugs and a silk eye mask. Coaching and sleep health programs also available to support medical personnel so that they get better sleep during this time.

SoleLife

SoleLife is looking beyond the novel Coronavirus pandemic to help prepare the world for what is predicted to come next—a mental health pandemic. Now more than ever, people need support. Coaching can help people feel more resilient, happier, have hope, avoid depression and create a road map to navigate through challenges and contribute to overcoming the Coronavirus crisis.

The SoleLife platform officially launched on May 1st. The platform enables real-time tele-coach communications, behavioral diagnostics (AI powered assessments), workflow automation for coaches and expanded capacity for consumers. The technology is giving people one-click access to professional coaches while also enabling coaches to instantly reach clients and deliver results.

Talkspace

Talkspace is now offering many of their mental health solutions at a discounted rate to new patients and completely free-of-charge to healthcare personnel. Talkspace’s services include remote therapy in the form of text, audio or video calls with a licensed therapist to help reduce and control anxiety, stress and other emotions that can affect productivity and quality of life.

All of Talkspace’s therapists are licensed, verified and background-checked. Working with a Talkspace therapist will give you an unbiased, trained perspective and provide you with the guidance and tools to help you feel better. When it comes to your mental health, the right therapist makes all the difference!

Litesprite (JSF ’17)

Litesprite’s platform is designed to strengthen the patient-provider relationship in a cost-effective way. With the drastic social distancing measures that have been put into place for over two months now, many people are experiencing increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness that can be detrimental to mental health.

Litesprite is offering their clinical remote monitoring solutions free-of-charge to any provider that needs to monitor patients’ behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sinasprite, Litesprite’s clinically-validated mental health video game, is now offered for free and provides a great self help tool for anyone to help manage anxiety, stress and other emotions that can result from extended periods of isolation.

These are just a few of the many mental health resources available to those who are looking for support during this unprecedented time.

Here are a few other lists of resources offering free or discounted solutions to help you get through the COVID-19 pandemic:

COVID-Related Mental Health and Recovery Resources

American Psychological Association (APA) COVID-19 Resource Page

Mental Health America (MHA) COVID-19 Info and Resources

Psych Hub | Mental Health Resources

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