When I was younger, I had a blog where I would pour my heart out on. For the whole time, I kept the blog anonymous. But one part of me had always wished that someone would find it, so I knew I was being heard.
The unfortunate reality in our society is that mental wellness is often viewed as a taboo topic. And like myself, many have had the experience of wanting to seek help, but feared the stigma that came along with it. For a long time, we have been seeking a platform, an outlet. And finally, someone did it.
Bringing Mental Wellness To Everyone
ThoughtFull is a digital mental health startup based in Singapore. Founded by Joan Low, their aim is to make mental wellness accessible, so everyone can get the help that they need.
Going to a clinic or a centre can be daunting for many. Naturally, there would be a lot of inertia when one wants to seek help. And with something as insidious as your mental health, this can be very dangerous in the long run.
In light of this, ThoughtFull has launched a brand new subscription-based mobile app ThoughtFullChat. With ThoughtFullChat, anyone can speak to a mental health practitioner, anywhere.
How does it work?
Through the weeks, you will also have unlimited access to a private, secure one-on-one chatroom. There, you can text your thoughts and feelings to your ThoughtFull Professional, anytime. What’s amazing too is that these professionals will check in with you daily.
Subverting The Stigma of Mental Care
However more than just being prescriptive, the founders of ThoughtFull have a larger goal with the platform.
ThoughtFull’s vision is to make mental health as aspirational as physical health. In some regions, engaging with one’s mental wellness via regular coaching and therapy is common…In Asia however, this is not universal practice yet; which is why ThoughtFull takes an end-to-end preventative approach to educate, activate, and empower individuals to proactively engage with their mental health.
Joan Low, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ThoughtFull
A mother looking at the Thoughtfull app while teaching her child
Just as how daily 20 minutes of physical activity beats a 2-hour workout once a month, the founders believe that our mental health will benefit from constant and proactive engagement.
Through the spontaneity of casual and friendly conversations, you are empowered to overcome the fear factor and face your own mental health with the guidance you need. Gradually, the conversation on our mental health no longer becomes intimidating or “out of the norm”.
Is Thoughtfull any good?
This could not have come at a better time.
While COVID-19 and the circuit breaker saw more people putting in effort to keep physically fit through regular runs and fitness workouts, it has also seen 1 in 4 Singaporeans reporting poorer mental health. Furthermore, a study reported that 36% of employees working remotely experienced mental health challenges from social isolation and economic anxiety.
The good news? Since testing of the ThoughtFullChat app began last year, users have reported noticeable improvements in their happiness and stress levels. Their ability to cope with stressors, handle emotions, as well as their quality of sleep also saw improvements.
In today’s day and age, mental care is not only for people with “mental issues”. Instead, mental care should be for anyone and everyone. But as the saying goes ” Rome was not built in a day”. Time is needed for mindsets and perceptions to change, and I believe that the introduction of this app is a good way to start that dialogue.
Download ThoughtFullChat from Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Subscription packages begin at SGD169 and come in monthly, quarterly and half-yearly options.
Images: Thoughtfull
Melissa Fann
Trevor Klass
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