In five words, describe what you do at ThoughtFull to someone you’re meeting for the first time.
End-to-end seamless digital mental health.
How do you see technology playing a transformative role in mental health, and what specific opportunities do you see it providing for ThoughtFull?
Traditionally, the burden falls on you to navigate the mental health system to access resources. Who do you see – a coach, counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist? When should you see them? How do I know if this mental health professional is not only legitimate, but also right for me? How do I know if I’m improving? Am I looking to increase my productivity or tackle a serious problem?
That’s where our mobile app, ThoughtFullChat, empowers people to seamlessly access personalized end-to-end mental health resources at their own pace and on their own terms. We take the guesswork out and make it easy to engage with your mental health.
From self-care lessons and improvement tracking tools to our signature one-on-one daily light coaching with your personal mental health professional via text, audio or video, our proprietary algorithms will ensure you’re working with your most suitable professional.
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What unique challenges and considerations arise when developing a mental health app for a diverse and multicultural market like Singapore, and how does your startup address them?
Everyone’s journey to mental well-being is unique. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach can sometimes feel like we’re trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. Cultural nuances, personal contexts, or even preferred mother tongues play an important role in what works (or doesn’t) for us.
ThoughtFull approaches mental health with a global lens and hyperlocal execution. That’s why ThoughtFullChat customizes your care path to your needs at that moment. The app is available in 10 languages across Asia, and our mental health professionals are fluent in up to 21 languages and dialects, ensuring we can cater for local nuances.
In what ways does ThoughtFull collaborate with health professionals, such as psychologists or therapists, to ensure that the app’s content and features are consistent with mental health best practices?
As a pioneer in digital mental health, we have had to work closely with mental health parties in different countries to set standards across the region for what constitutes good digital mental health provision. The seamless end-to-end experience you have at ThoughtFullChat is the result of years of working with leading local and global experts in mental health, research, technology and operations.
The app is designed and developed to seamlessly deliver evidence-based practices to meet our users where they are at that moment.
What strategies has ThoughtFull implemented to bridge the gap between traditional mental health services and the digital platform, and how do you ensure a seamless and efficient user experience?
Mental health services today are fragmented, both digitally and otherwise. Globally, pathways to care vary greatly depending on whether you seek mental health resources in the private or public sector. A big focus for ThoughtFull is to provide seamlessness and continuity for people who want to engage with their mental well-being.
Whether you want to increase your daily productivity or better manage your anxiety, ThoughtFull’s end-to-end service is available to anyone, anytime, anywhere in multiple languages.
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When you look at the state of the world today, what is the one thing that gives you hope?
The one thing that really gives me hope is the evolving conversation and attitude towards mental health, especially in Asia.
In the past, mental health was a topic often shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. Many were hesitant to seek help because of fear of social repercussions or simply because they were not aware of the resources available to them. I have been a mental health caregiver for over 20 years and it was very disappointing to experience first hand these gaps in the mental health ecosystem in Asia.
Now, however, we are witnessing a significant shift in that narrative. There is a growing recognition of mental health as an integral part of our overall well-being, something just as important as our physical health.
More and more people understand the interconnectedness of mental health with various aspects of life, including chronic illness, work productivity and interpersonal relationships. This growing awareness is leading to behavioral change, with more people seeking help and engaging in proactive measures to maintain their mental health.
Conversations about mental health are becoming more common and people feel more comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking support. This shift in public attitudes is extremely important as it not only encourages those struggling to seek help, but also fosters a more supportive and understanding environment.
A big part of my mission is to create a world where mental health is just as desirable as physical health, and I hope that every day we move closer to that reality.
