Mental health
A groundbreaking digital perinatal mental health pilot for Black and ethnically minoritised women has helped women access support faster, complete therapy at higher rates, and recover more successfully than national averages. The partnership between digital tech company Dr-Julian and The Essential Baby Company Ltd within a new model of mental health care named haPPIE SHE [...]
ChatGPT is rolling out Trusted Contact, an optional safety feature that lets adults nominate someone who may be notified over serious self-harm concerns. The update gives ChatGPT users over 18 a way to set up a support contact in advance, while keeping crisis services, localised helplines and emergency guidance as separate safeguards. Chris Lehane, chief [...]
Mental health platform Dr-Julian is set to provide an exciting new service after winning funding from NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). Dr-Julian, one of the UK’s fastest-growing mental health platforms and care delivery partners, is one of only six companies selected by an expert panel after more than 130 bidders [...]
OpenUp has raised €20m to expand its workplace mental health platform in Europe and bring in new expertise. The Amsterdam-based employee mental health startup has secured the funding from venture capital firms Smartfin and Rubio Impact Ventures. Founded in 2020 by Gijs Coppens, OpenUp provides direct support aimed at helping employers build and retain resilient [...]
JAAQ has raised £13m in series A funding for its digital health and engagement platform, which embeds mental health content into user, patient and customer journeys. Powered by an AI-native approach, JAAQ says its bespoke library of more than 10,000 clinically reviewed videos can be integrated into partners' products or hosted as a bespoke JAAQ [...]
Ireland has published a €1m digital mental health strategy outlining national plans for digital tools, shared records and technology to improve mental health services. The strategy focuses on access, communications, digital tools, co-production, research, innovation and technology. Key initiatives include the HSE Health App, national shared care record, community care record and electronic health records. [...]
Wysa has secured £5.3m to adapt a digital mental health programme for adolescent girls in rural India. The funding comes from Wellcome and will support a scale-up study to tailor a clinically validated digital intervention for girls facing limited autonomy, restricted access to technology, lower literacy, stigma and family gatekeeping. Digital interventions are app-based programmes [...]
The MHRA has issued guidance on digital mental health apps, with five checks to help users judge whether tools are safe and evidence-based. The advice forms part of free online resources developed with NHS England for the public, parents, carers and health, social care and education professionals who use or recommend these tools. More people [...]
Experts have warned about rising AI chatbot use for emotional support and companionship, especially among younger people. Systems such as ChatGPT, Claude and Copilot are increasingly used as confidants, with reports placing therapy and companionship among top reasons. ChatGPT alone has around 810 million weekly active users worldwide. Writing in the BMJ, Susan [...]
AI therapy ‘works best’ when users feel emotionally close to their chatbot, a study of 4,000 app users suggests. The research highlights what authors say is key to effective chatbot therapy, and the risks of “synthetic intimacy” (forming human-like bonds with AI). Professor Dimitra Petrakaki from the University of Sussex, said: "Synthetic intimacy [...]
