The growing popularity of mental health apps in recent years represents the coupling of two separate health care trends: an increased focus on mental and emotional wellness and a shift toward remote appointments.
In Africa, several new companies are emerging on the scene that specialize in providing remote therapy solutions to provide resources and improve the mental well-being of local populations.
Learn more: eHealth startups advancing across Africa
The Egyptian mental health company Shezlong, for example, recently announced that it would expand its service to South Africa under the banner of a new platform, Upright, as part of efforts to “reach marginalized populations who do not receive necessary services.” [local] health system,” the firm said in a press release.
The company cited the high rate of gender-based violence in South Africa, lack of proper care during pregnancy, and unemployment as some of the factors affecting the mental health of locals.
The new platform will replicate the model already established in Egypt, where Shezlong app users can choose from a network of qualified psychiatrists, therapists and counselors and book remote appointments via video, audio or web chat on a pay-per-appointment basis. .
Beyond mental illness
One of the popular points made in contemporary discourse on mental wellbeing is the idea that help-seeking should not be reserved for the worst cases of mental illness.
In that context, concepts like mindfulness and wellness underpin a growing recognition that mental health is for everyone, with companies like Shezlong offering resource libraries covering a variety of topics, from relationships to addiction.
Panda, another mental health app available in South Africa, blurs the line between treatment and self-help. In addition to providing access to individual and remote therapy sessions, app users can join “the Forest,” a digital space where they can anonymously connect with experts or peers facing similar challenges and participate in live sessions for just audio covering a wide variety of topics related to mental health.
To the west of the continent, Nigeria, one of the largest economies in the region, has also spawned several mental health apps in recent years.
In addition to providing appointments with English-speaking experts, the local MyCareBuddy app offers a multilingual mental health platform through its iRant service, expanding access to Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin English speakers who have been underserved by the system. of existing Anglocentric health.
The iRant system operates in parallel with MyCareBuddy’s formal psychiatric appointment system and offers a more informal opportunity to “unload your mind and share your daily struggles,” according to the firm.
In a bid to create healthier workplaces that prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of employees, MyCareBuddy has also expanded into mental health training for organizations.
Another Nigerian mental health startup, Akoma Health, is also partnering with employers to create personalized mental health programs and connect its teletherapy service to those in need. And by prioritizing early intervention and everyday wellness, Akoma Health hopes to empower employers to be more proactive in addressing employee mental health issues.
Overall, through affordable and flexible mobile healthcare solutions, these digital platforms and technologies are helping to meet the growing demand for mental health services in Africa and ultimately helping to strengthen primary healthcare in the emerging markets of the region.
Other readings: Technology makes health insurance affordable and more accessible in emerging markets
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