Latest news with #MHFA
Time Business News
24-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
Next-Gen Mental Health Apps
A mental health app is a digital tool designed to support emotional welfare, stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions through mood tracking, directed therapy, attention, cognitive behavior technique and characteristics such as AI-operated chat support. Mental health app growth of market growth is inspired by increasing mental health awareness, increasing smartphone penetration, increasing demand for accessible and inexpensive mental health solutions and lack of mental health professionals. Additionally, the Covid-19 epidemics accelerated the adoption of digital health equipment, while innovations in AI, privatization and data analytics continue to promote user's busyness and market expansion. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Increasing Mental Health Awareness: Mental health awareness is a major driver of the mental health app market, as it encourages more people to seek help, reduce stigma and prioritize emotional welfare. Since individuals are informed more about the importance of mental health issues and early intervention, demand for mobile apps such as accessible, inexpensive and stigma-free solutions increases rapidly. These apps provide private, on-demand support for stress, anxiety, depression and self-care, which they appeal to broad audiences-especially in areas with limited access to traditional mental health services. This growing awareness fuel the user and fuel investment in new digital mental health equipment. Challenges The mental health app market has constraints such as the issue of data privacy and security amid the storing and processing of sensitive personal information. The fact-evidence is that most of these applications have never undergone clinical trials and, as a result, it is clearly not guaranteed that they will work for everyone, hence the question of their efficiency and safety. The reason behind this is that there is no proper authority for monitoring the activities of these platforms leading to quality disparities. As if that is not enough, there are social barriers such as the limited number of people who own smartphones, those without digital literacy, or people without a stable internet connection that hinder many others from accessing the apps. Innovation and Expansion Supportive Mind' App for Mental Wellness Launched by Infosys and Mental Health Foundation Australia In June 2025, the 'Supportive Mind' mobile app is the result of a strategic partnership between Infosys, a worldwide leader in next-generation digital services and consultancy, and Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) to raise awareness of mental health issues. The goal of this Infosys-developed app for MHFA is to give communities and first responders in Australia and New Zealand instant access to mental health services. This program is a component of Infosys' commitment to corporate social responsibility, which aims to use technology to promote the welfare of communities. The application aims to provide practical answers for proactive self-care and assistance by filling in knowledge gaps on mental health. Magellan Health Releases Youth Support App for Mental Wellness In September 2024, in The Teen Mental Wellbeing app was released by Magellan Health, Inc., a pioneer in behavioral health and associated services, to promote the mental and emotional health of adolescents and young adults (ages 13 to 22). Through evidence-based practices and digital tools supported by research, the app promotes the road to mental wellbeing, fosters self-awareness, and increases resilience. It is powered by BeMe Health's cutting-edge digital health platform. With evidence-based tools and real-time human connection, the Teen Mental wellness app, powered by BeMe, is made to meet adolescents and young adults where they are on their phones in a fun and secure setting so they can take proactive measures to manage their wellness. Additionally, the app includes a number of scientifically recognized assessments, such as those for anxiety and depression, which can direct users to the best therapies for them. Inventive Sparks, Expanding Markets The key players operating the mental health app market includes, Addicaid, Silver Cloud Health Inc., Headspace Inc., Aurora health care, Happify Inc., 7 cups of tea, Mood Mission Pvt Ltd., Ustwo Fampany ltd., NOCD Inc., Talkspace, Sanvello Health Inc., Inc., Mindscape, Flow and Youper Inc., Recovery Record Inc., and others. Prominent players operating in the target market are focusing on the strategic partnerships as well as launching of the products in order to gain competitive edge in the target market. About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Does mental health first aid work?
If you hurt yourself at work, chances are you'll be treated by a first aider. But mental health problems aren't always as straightforward as a cut or sprain – and it isn't always obvious what to do or who to ask for help. This is where mental health first aiders come in. Volunteers usually undergo a two-day training course to identify, understand and respond to the first signs of mental health challenges or emotional distress among workers. But they aren't psychologists or therapists; they are simply supposed to listen and direct people to mental health services, with the aim of tackling the growing problem of poor mental health in workplaces. Now, more than 20,000 employers have used Mental Health First Aid England to train staff members to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges among workers. According to MHFA England, more than 1 million people have now been trained to be mental health first aiders. But does it really work? There is no denying that something needs to change in our workplaces. One in seven people in the UK workplace are currently experiencing mental health problems – and one in four people in the UK feel stressed more days a month than they don't. Despite this, many workers still feel unable to speak to their employers about a mental health problem. 'The purpose of a mental health first aider is to act as an accessible, trained peer who can identify early signs of mental distress, offer initial support, and guide colleagues toward appropriate professional help,' says Maria-Teresa Daher-Cusack, an organisational psychologist at Health Assured. Read more: How employers can prevent mental health crises at work They aren't expected to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, they are trained to listen without judgement and signpost individuals to resources such as Employee Assistance Programmes, GPs or therapists. Essentially, mental health first aiders serve as an initial point of support for individuals who are struggling, and research shows early intervention is widely associated with more positive outcomes for individuals. 'Their presence helps to normalise conversations around mental health, reduce stigma, and create a more open and supportive workplace culture,' says Daher-Cusack. 'Mental health first aiders can be a vital part of a broader wellbeing strategy. They offer a human connection at a time when someone might be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. Sometimes, just knowing there's someone approachable nearby can make all the difference.' It's easy to see why the scheme has become so popular. It's quick, easy and relatively inexpensive to train a volunteer to be a mental health first aider. In 2023, Conservative MP Dean Russell even proposed that all employers should be legally required to offer mental health first aid training. But, experts caution that it's not a silver bullet. In fact, there is mixed evidence as to whether it makes a significant difference to workplace mental health overall. A systematic review of nine studies published in 2023 found 'insufficient evidence' that the scheme 'improves the helping behaviours of trainees or the mental health of recipients'. Another study, in which researchers reviewed 21 trials of mental health first aid training involving 22,604 participants, found no reliable evidence to suggest that the programme is effective. And, studies examining the practice were found to be at a "high risk of bias". A lack of clear evidence doesn't necessarily mean that mental health first aid doesn't work. However, experts have highlighted that there are limitations. It doesn't address the wider considerations of supporting mental health at work, such as flexibility, culture, leadership and accessing professional support. 'Wellbeing initiatives underpinned by people practices as well as policies, and embedded in the culture of an organisation, can contribute to increased feelings of psychological safety at work. MHFA's can be a part of that mix for sure, but only a part of it,' says counselling directory member Nadia DiLuzio. According to DiLuzio, a downfall of mental health first aid is that it might be the workplace itself causing, contributing to or exacerbating mental health challenges. Therefore, a volunteer isn't likely to address the underlying problem. Read more: Why the pressure to be liked at work is holding women back Another commonly cited concern is the limited scope of training. 'Most MHFA courses last just one or two days – enough to build awareness and basic skills, but not sufficient to equip someone to handle complex or high-risk situations,' says Daher-Cusack. 'There is also a risk that organisations may over-rely on MHFAs or treat the initiative as a tick-box exercise. Without ongoing support, supervision, and integration into a wider mental health strategy, the impact can be limited and the emotional burden on the first aider can be significant.' Should employers abandon mental health first aid? Not necessarily. It can be effective, but only as part of a broader, systemic approach to workplace wellbeing. This includes fostering a culture of openness, clear referral pathways, access to professional support, and flexible work options. A 2023 University of Pittsburgh study found that companies offering flexible hours and locations saw significantly lower rates of depression. 'As the conversation around mental health in the workplace continues to evolve, mental health first aiders represent a promising step forward,' says Daher-Cusack. 'But like any first aid measure, their value lies in what happens next: the care, the follow-up, and the commitment to long-term wellbeing.' Read more: How to cope with pregnancy sickness at work How the maternity system is failing self-employed women Why neurodivergent workers pay the price for poor communication
Business Upturn
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Infosys partners with Mental Health Foundation Australia to launch ‘Supportive Mind' mental health app
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on June 26, 2025, 09:44 IST Infosys, a global leader in digital services and consulting, has announced the launch of the 'Supportive Mind' app in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA). The mobile app aims to promote mental health awareness and provide easily accessible self-help resources to individuals and communities across Australia and New Zealand. Developed under Infosys' Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the app is designed to support users in managing their mental well-being. Key features include mood tracking, personalized activity recommendations, walking challenges, fundraising tools, and wellness tips delivered through push notifications. The app will initially roll out via pilot programs in educational, corporate, and community sectors. Infosys will leverage its AI platform, Infosys Topaz, to measure and analyze the app's social impact. Professor Melissa Green, Chairperson of MHFA, highlighted the app's role in making mental health support more approachable and integrated into daily life. Andrew Groth, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific, Infosys, emphasized the company's ongoing efforts to foster inclusive and supportive communities through technology. The initiative is part of Infosys' broader commitment to using digital solutions for social good. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump's anti-DEI push ‘politicizes' Pierce County teen mental health guidance
Amid the Trump administration's push to roll back programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion, terms like 'sexual assault' and 'gun violence' were removed from a national mental health program designed to train youth to identify and respond to signs of mental health crisis. Instructors who continue teaching previous guidance will lose their certifications starting in 2026, according to the nonprofit National Council for Wellbeing, which administers the program. The curricula changes, which Tacoma instructors say comes in contrast with evidence-based research, could undermine the program's success in Pierce County and nationally at a time when rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and violence are rising among youth. The Teen Mental Health First Aid program (tMHFA) is currently taught in many Pierce County schools and community organizations. Over several sessions students in the program learn how to identify, understand and respond to common mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorders. Youth also learn how to support others and how to get help from a safe, trusted adult. As of March, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department had trained more than 6,600 youth and 255 adults in the tMHFA program at 32 host sites since December 2022. In May, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing updated its tMHFA curriculum to remove several videos, including a series featuring a transgender youth's mental health journey and recovery. In addition, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing omitted words like 'sexual assault' as an example of trauma and any mention of 'gun violence' and 'school shootings.' The National Council for Mental Wellbeing told The News Tribune in a statement last week the organization 'remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing lifesaving legislation and strengthening the mental health and substance use safety net system across the country.' 'Public funding at both the federal and state levels is essential to that mission. Consequently, our organization and all those that implement Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) must adhere to all applicable federal and state guidelines, executive orders and mandates to ensure our curriculum remains compliant and our services widely accessible to help as many people as possible,' it said June 3. 'In response to recent changes in federal guidance and newly issued executive orders, we have updated our curricula. These updates do not alter the foundational elements of MHFA.' Irene Tung, with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, said via email June, 'While 'sexual assault,' 'gun violence' and 'mass shootings' were included in a long list of examples of trauma in our previous curriculum, we didn't teach about any of these topics in-depth, so we reframed the examples to be broader in the updated curriculum. For example, instead of 'gun violence,' we now say 'weapon.'' Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department communications director Kenny Via told The News Tribune in a June 4 email that the department remains 'committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all Pierce County youth.' 'Our program in Pierce County is accredited through the National Council and our instructors are certified through the organization as well,' he said. 'As such, we have reviewed the changes and are working with our instructors and local partners to determine any areas of the curriculum we may need to supplement with additional resources.' Aran Myracle is a drop-in coordinator at the Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma and has been a tMHFA certified instructor teaching the course to LGBTQ+ youth in Pierce County for two years. Myracle said Friday it's not unheard of to see changes to the curricula, but these changes went farther than that. 'I wanted to cry when the changes came down. This is such an important curriculum to deliver to youth, and it's really frustrating to see it politicized and have the way we're delivering this curriculum to youth change, not because we've decided through evidence-based research that it would be better if we did it this way,' he said. 'It's someone's political agenda saying, 'We don't want sexuality and gender to be talked about, so we're going to take out any mentions of those.' 'We don't want guns to be demonized at school, so we're not going to talk about gun violence in schools anymore.'' Although the original curricula didn't dive into gun violence or mass shootings in depth, Myracle said, the training is highly interactive and often generated organic discussions about these topics among youth. 'I genuinely feel that youth are traumatized by going through gun violence drills at school, and it's something that is impacting their lives,' he said. 'The ability to talk about that openly, I think, is important [when] talking about youth mental health and first aid.' One of the most memorable parts of the training were several videos following 'Novak,' a real transgender teen who talked about his mental health journey, which included questioning his gender identity, withdrawing from his friends, being hospitalized for suicidality and recovering to a happy, healthy life, Myracle said. Those videos provided a positive message to teens, especially LGBTQ+ youth, to say that struggles 'could be part of your story, but it's not the end of your story,' he said. 'Removing Novak's videos removes a very important tool for reaching queer youth,' Myracle said. 'They don't see anyone like themselves in the curriculum anymore, and we know that it's very important for youth to see people who are like themselves represented when they're learning new skills and learning about new things.' Youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth and youth experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience sexual violence, and sexual assaults against youth often take place in the child's school, neighborhood or home, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, according to NSVRC. A vast majority of child sexual abuse (around 80%) is perpetrated by someone known to the child, said Carlyn Sampson, the executive director of the Rebuilding Hope sexual assault center in Tacoma. Sampson said she was 'really discouraged' and 'disappointed' to see the changes to the tMHFA guidance. Over the years Rebuilding Hope has sent providers to the trainings and found benefit in its guidance. Although none of its staff are required to complete the training or adhere to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's guidance, Sampson said she would reconsider directing people to the guidance in the future. While some might write off the tMHFA changes as semantics, Sampson argued the impacts are far-reaching. Words and language 'names and frames' people's experiences and realities, and the term 'sexual assault' exists as its own very specific form of violence, she said. 'To take away those words is to erase those survivors themselves, to erase those experiences and to erase an entire field that has decades of history of moving the needle forward on better defining, creating policy changes, changes in the law about how sexual violence crimes, how sex crimes against children, against adults, get defined,' she said. Sampson said some human service organizations and nonprofits are finding themselves 'very much in conflicting spaces of not knowing what they are allowed to do' or how to fulfill their missions with new federal and state laws. 'I'm going to operate [on] an assumption that they are just as much caught in a place of conflict and confusion,' she said. 'If nothing else, maybe this story or any further discourse that is generated by this, helps them to pause and realize that there may also be an opportunity, if they have the resources, to stand in defiance of this national guidance.' Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center provides services to any individual whose life has been impacted by sexual assault. Rebuilding Hope's 24/7 Helpline is 1-855-757-7273.
Chicago Tribune
19-02-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Oak Forest session offers first aid training for mental health situations
First aid can be crucial when someone is physically injured, but it can be immensely helpful even for unseen wounds and suffering. So the National Alliance of Mental Illness South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Star Services have teamed up to present a free Mental Health First Aid training session for those who want to help people struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse. The eight hour class, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Bremen Township Senior Complex, 15350 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest, can accommodate up to 30 adults. Lisa Gardiola, community outreach and education trainer for Sertoma Star Service, said the training is especially helpful for teachers, first responders, hospital staff and police officers, but it's suited for all caring individuals. 'We get a good cross-section of participants,' Guardiola said. 'We have had participants as young as 18 through 80-plus years old, and of all demographics. MHFA really lends itself for anyone to gain basic knowledge and signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge and then gives them tools to be able to assist someone to get the help that they need by referring them to the correct professional help.' The goal of the training is twofold: 'to bring about mental health literacy and break the stigma that is associated with mental illness,' she said. 'This eight hour course teaches participants how to identify signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance use and psychosis disorders and then give the five-step ALGEE plan to assist someone experiencing a mental health challenge or in crisis and get them to appropriate professional help.' The five-step program is as follows, Guardiola said: Assess for risk of suicide or harm. Listen nonjudgmentally. Give reassurance and information. Encourage appropriate professional help. Encourage self-help and other support strategies. It's important to recognize someone experiencing mental health issues or substance use issues because quick intervention can sometimes avert a crisis, she said. 'Early intervention is key to better mental health and substance use recovery. We want to act early so as to prevent crises and hospitalization.' Guardiola said a mental health condition or substance use disorder can arise 'when there is a disruption in the person's ability to function. Is what they are experiencing affecting their ability to function at work or at school, take care of their daily activity and hygiene, manage their thinking and behavior, or have a satisfying relationship?' Attendees will find an interactive training session combined with practice in the concepts presented. They'll also get a free lunch. 'We like to facilitate our MHFA training courses as a dialogue between the facilitators and the participants. We don't want to have the participants feel like they are just being lectured for eight hours,' Guardiola said. 'This is an interactive training course with a PowerPoint and videos where we not only discuss the different disorders but take time to have the participants practice what they have learned with group scenario discussions as well.' She emphasized that what is shared during training is kept private. 'Confidentiality is key because many of our past participants have shared their own personal experience or the experience of a loved one with a mental health condition. We strive to create a safe space for them to feel heard and validated and to not be afraid to ask questions.' Anyone in the area can attend the training, but the grant-funded program travels all over the state to lead free MHFA training sessions, including multiple times in the community. 'We also provide training to schools, colleges/universities, churches, police departments, fire departments, nursing homes, and private or non-for-profit organizations,' Guardiola said. 'We can offer the training on site to any organization throughout the state of Illinois. We also have the ability to provide MHFA virtually.' She said the training was created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and more than 3 million people in the United States have been trained by thousands of certified instructors 'to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.' According to peer-reviewed studies, people trained in Mental Health First Aid are 'more knowledgeable and confident when it comes to identifying and helping an individual in distress,' Guardiola said, as well as other benefits. They 'expand their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health and substance use challenges'and 'can identify appropriate types of professionals and self-help resources for individuals with a mental health or substance use challenge.' They also 'show increased mental well-being themselves.' NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago, which is based in Olympia Fields, has often partnered with Sertoma Star Services. 'We have cosponsored many of these training sessions with NMI SSC in the past and are excited to be doing so again,' Guardiola said. Information and registration for the program are with Gardiola at 708-1951, Ext. 405 or via email at lguardiola@
