Feeling Lonely? New Technology to the Rescue
Meet Bo Shao — a technologist who was the brains behind EachNet, once the largest consumer e-commerce website in China (later sold to eBay). However, Bo’s interests went well beyond building successful companies. Bo founded the Evolve Foundation, known for its flagship project, the Conscious Accelerator.
Unlike startups that aim to bring basic necessities to the developing world — be it clean water, medical aid or much needed supplies, the Conscious Accelerator focuses on the psychological well-being and does not discriminate when it comes to human suffering, with a belief that it affects us all, independent of wealth and region. Structured as a philanthropic fund — similar to a venture capitalist fund — and backed with $100 million of the Evolve Foundation’s funding, it invests in companies that use technology to bring the world to a more peaceful place.
According to the Conscious Accelerator website: “We believe that issues internal to our soul, or our consciousness, hold the key to ending suffering and to prosperity. We believe that these issues are taking center stage as humanity approaches the age of abundance.”
In a Medium.com post, Bo writes: “However, despite rising material comfort, many people today still feel lonely, purposeless, fearful or angry…. The situation may be getting worse. Mental health statistics are alarming.” According to the World Health Organisation, 300 million people globally suffer from depression — and the actual number may be higher because of the stigma attached to mental health issues and the lack of screening in some regions.
The idea behind Bo’s investment is that mobile apps can help detect and manage mental health issues — and aid those who cannot afford professional help by bringing it to their fingertips with today’s devices.
The mental health startup technology is gaining traction in other parts of the globe, too. In October 2016, Moodpath was launched in German to help people get diagnosis and help when facing depression. The app asks questions for two weeks and tracks user data, providing a diagnosis at the end. The user can then opt or the app’s interactive therapies and information.
“Moodpath’s key founder, Mark Goehring, is a clinical psychologist who noticed that while seriously depressed patients didn’t have the energy to do very much, they all seemed to continue to use their smartphones,” company spokesperson Philip Husemann told DW. “That’s what led him to organize this startup.”
Novego is another example of a startup that helps users with depression, anxiety or burnout. This twelve-week program includes phone calls with mental health professionals.
In India, online and video counseling are available through a number of startups including TrustCircle, ePschlinic, Seraniti and HealthEminds. A coach based on artificial intelligence, Wysa, is an emotional wellness chatbot users can download on their phone. Wysa’s interface can guide users through meditations and other exercises.
While apps are not a replacement for actual medical treatment, this new technology is erasing geographical borders, differences in wealth, and access to healthcare by bringing relief to those who may at one point feel down and out.
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