While fitness apps and devices have become popular, Tata Consultancy Services is creating an app to address mental health issues. This is the first time TCS has built a platform for general users. The tech company is in talks with hospitals, insurance companies and larger companies to roll out the app.
The goal of the mental health companion app is to use a playful approach to reduce the severity of anxiety and stress for users in the early stages. The application is currently in the clinical validation phase, in collaboration with a major Indian hospital. At the same time, TCS is testing the usability of the app by conducting a beta test of the app internally with 900 TCS employees. The company will then reach out to hospitals, insurance companies, and partner organizations interested in improving employee well-being for proof-of-concept studies and subsequent monetization.
According to Rajiv Thanawala, innovation evangelist and senior consultant at TCS, the app aims to use a playful approach, digitizing existing clinical evidence to reduce anxiety and stress to create the right mental health interventions. “There are more than 300 mental health apps on the market; however, it is very rare for consumers to continue using them for a long time. Our gamified approach will drive app usability and compliance.” Interventions include games such as laughing to bring a fallen flower to life or blowing clouds to relieve stress. According to Thanawala, the app collects information to assess the user’s mental state every day and recommends games, habits and routines to relieve stress and anxiety. In case digital interventions fail, the app recommends users to seek clinical help.
Thanawala said that the app has received interest from many partners, especially in the field of medical sciences. This app could allow doctors to monitor patients outside of the hospital or insurance companies to embed this app to reduce stress and anxiety for their clients so they are less likely to seek clinical help.
Vivek Balaraman, Chief Scientist at Tata Consultancy Services, said that this app is part of the TCS division that uses quantitative social science for business applications. “This work is part of a research area called business behavior and social sciences, launched 10 years ago. The goal was to take a multidisciplinary approach to solving a range of behavioral problems.”
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