Mental healthcare startups: Leading the way

Mental healthcare in India has come of age and one can proudly say that as a country we have risen to the occasion by building a safe space and ecosystem for those grappling with mental health issues. Mental health care startups are proving to be a disruptor in the market with their blue sky thinking and go-to-market strategies. Technology and innovations have proved to be a panacea for the millions who continue to suffer in silence and startups in India are leading the way helping India emerge into sanity

By Sonali Patranabish

The mental health wellness space has been hogging the limelight in recent times, where startups have mushroomed by the dozen, becoming a crusader for millions who suffer in silence. In a country where only 12 per cent of respondents has ever heard of depression (as per the Indian Psychiatry association), these mental care startups are breaking the barriers, busting the myths and normalising therapy. In a bid to achieve universal health coverage these mental-wellbeing startups are leading the way by creating accessible and affordable solutions for mental healthcare.

With the mental disease burden ever increasing by the day these start up’s have risen to the occasion in order to create a safe ecosystem. According to Statista, an online data analysis platform, the market is
expected to reach $1.14 billion by 2024. This upsurge in the market has been attributed to change in societal attitudes and perspectives. The stigma around mental health issues are gradually weaning away
creating an urgency in mental health services from coaching, therapy, counselling and medication.

Vidit Bahri, Co-founder, Sukoon Health opines, “India is witnessing the proliferation of mental healthcare startups at the moment. Existing service providers are not well positioned to meet this demand and emerging innovative start-ups have stepped in to fill this gap."

Diverse offerings of start ups

The Indian mental wellness space is inundated with players like Trijog, Sukoon Health, YourDOST, Mitsu, Innerhour and many more. The boom in the industry is evident with mental healthcare platforms and AI-driven apps foraying into the market. These newbies have created a gamut of options for the ones coping with such issues, addressing their concerns in a safe haven.

“They prioritise access and affordability by offering solutions like online therapy platforms and telemedicine services, aiming to improve accessibility for those grappling with mental health issues,” opines Bahri.

Startups in this space operate on different models. Like Mannah and Jumping mind operate on the Peer and group led model. Amaha, Evolve and Wysa work on the self-help model which uses AI for generating content and start up’s like Kaha Mind, Trijog and Your DOST leverage expert led advice to run the show.
Apps, digital therapeutics, computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) and even telehealth services are just few of the many offerings of mental healthcare startups. Apps such as Inner hour and Better help use tele-health services while others like Your DOST uses CCBT techniques.

Arushi Sethi Shah, Co-founder and CEO, Trijog - Know Your Mind, says, “These tools offer services ranging from therapy and counselling to meditation and mindfulness exercises. They provide convenient, cost-effective access to mental health support, helping to address the growing demand.”

Lucrative for investors

As per a report by Tracxsn a global data platform, close to 200 investors have invested in start up’s such as Amaha, Trijog,Lisson and Wysa raising close to $ 25.4 million. The sector has seen an inflow of total of $42.7 million into this sector.

“The mental health space has emerged as a lucrative field for investors. Investors are increasingly seeing the value in supporting mental health ventures,” opines Parveen Shaikh, Vice President-Operations, Mpower.

“The rising demand for mental health services, coupled with the stigma reduction and growing awareness, has made it a lucrative field,” opines Dr Vishesh Kasliwal, Co- Founder and CEO, Medyseva Technologies. He adds, “Investors are keen to back start-ups’ that offer scalable, tech-driven solutions to widespread mental health issues.”

Fireside ventures recently invested in Rs 50 crore , in Amaha, a mental healthcare startup which offers services and treatment for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD and schizophrenia. Wysa a Bengaluru-based mental healthcare startup has raised $30 million from Google, PI ventures and Kae Capital, claims to have touched base 95 countries. With a plethora of mental wellness models available investors can bank on these options to build on their venture portfolio. Sukoon Health, a chain of mental health hospitals in India has received a funding of $15 million, while Lissun bagged $1.3 million in September 2023.

EWP - Rise of B2B in the Mental healthcare space
In a study conducted by Mpower, a mental healthcare initiative by Aditya Birla, it was found that 48 per cent of employees in Indian corporate firms are liable to mental health issues. Mental fitness and wellbeing of employees at corporate firms is an important variable as far as overall productivity is concerned. GenZ Organisations today are tapping into employee wellbeing a key component of organisational health as well as ensuring improved business outcomes.

Amaha a mental healthcare startup has partnered with big corps in the market like Godrej , Shiprocket and Teach for India ,where they offer 1:1 counselling services, professional therapy self paced programmes and tailored solutions for the staff and employees of the organisation.

There are several companies that are resorting to technology to address mental health issues of their
employees. Twill app through its therapeutic programme provides free counselling to the employees and
families of Amazon India.

In a similar initiative, Netcore Cloud has leveraged ICICI Lombards IL TakeCare app so that employees can
take advantage of their therapists. With mental health gaining center stage in the big corps, mental
healthcare startups are banking on such firms partnering with them for their corporate wellness programmes.

Trijog, a mental healthcare start up, has clients across 28 states caters to several big names in the industry like Unilever, WeWork,Soho House, Tata and OML. Ikea India also has employee assistance programmes which operates online to check in on their employee wellbeing. Amaha boasts of having 150 trained
therapists and psychiatrists as registered clinical psychologists under the Rehabilitation council of
India. They also operate based on international guidelines and strictly follow clinicare protocols.

"These platforms could encompass CBT programmes, mindfulness assignments, or journaling exercises,” opines Bahri.

Tech integration- Pros and Cons
The versatility in mental wellness platforms is heartening to see. Technology is revolutionising this domain of healthcare ie mental health creating a seamless ecosystem for those battling from the inside. Digital mental health a niche domain uses a repertoire of digital tools like VR, mental health apps, video games that used CBT strategies, AI and smart phone therapy, digital symptom tracking and even digital pills.
Dr Kasliwal adds, “The integration of technology, digital channels, and innovative solutions into therapy and wellness services has revolutionised the way mental healthcare is delivered. Self-help apps and websites are currently accessible, private, and perhaps less expensive than psychotherapy and may appeal to individuals who are more sceptical about professional help.”

“Digital channels and innovative solutions, such as tele-mental health services, are bridging the gap between patients and professionals. These advancements not only enhance user engagement, but also help improve data protection and management for our psychologists,” mentions Shaikh.

Evolve which works in a niche domain is a content led platform where they offer solutions especially for the mental wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community uses AI. Wysa an AI-based chat bot has provided help to 1.3 million users using their CBT techniques.

These technologies work wonders as they curate tailor made advice enabled by data analysis of preferences, behaviour patterns and personal data. AI works well with platforms that use content and self-help models and this model has gained popularity amongst users. However industry insiders state that it is not on par with professional help and advice.

The Skewed Patient: Psychiatrist ratio

The Parliamentary standing committee on health and welfare released a report where it was found that
there are currently 2840 accredited psychologists in India.

Despite seeing the strides that this space has made in recent times there are still lacunae that need to filled specially with respect to accessibility to quality advice from certified experts. India today stands at only 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.7 psychologists per 100, 000 population. The story on the other side of the world is different, with developed countries having 6.6 psychiatrists per 100,000 population.

“There is an urgent need to build capacity in terms of skilled professionals who can manage the
increasing cases of anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders,” opines Dr Kasliwal. However mental healthcare startups are ensuring that they get the best on board to cater to the varied needs of people dealing with such issues.

Outlook

As India stands at the cusp of liberation from the shackles of the mind, we are equally beleaguered by the surmounting challenges in the system. From poor budgetary allocation by the government which stands at a mere 0.8 per cent of the Union Health budget to other issues like practitioner supply, quality care, busting myths and stigma, the mental healthcare space is fraught with challenges. However, these blockades are not a dampener in the spirit of mental healthcare start ups that are going beyond by creating new channels through innovations and technology to breathe in life and hope to the millions who are afflicted.