\n<\/p>\n
It would be fair to say there\u2019s no global solution for instant 24\/7 access to mental health support. Yes, there are a few \u2018marketplaces\u2019 where you can schedule a call with a therapist in advance. <\/p>\n
Online solutions now include Better Help, Talk Space, and TeenCounselling. Then there are platforms connected with public healthcare such as Kooth and Togetherwall, often filled with content and peer support forums.<\/p>\n
This, of course doesn\u2019t suit everyone, especially if you\u2019re going through a crisis and need to talk through stuff with someone quickly. Meanwhile, the problem of mental health grows ever larger.<\/p>\n
In 2010 the global economic burden of mental health issues was at $2.1 trillion and was expected to be at $6T by 2030. But in 2019 it had already achieved $5T (Global Burden of Disease Study 2019<\/a>). And all that was before<\/em> Covid-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, a new generation of users have grown up with the possibility of instant gratification via mobile apps. So why not create something that suits this market?<\/p>\n This is the aim of UK startup Wangie<\/a>, which is aiming to create what it calls is a new category between clinical therapy apps and peer support.<\/p>\n It offers 24\/7 access to mental health support from a mobile app, connecting therapists available on-demand \u2014 almost like Uber \u2014 with clients who need support immediately. <\/p>\n Instead of booking therapists, clients \u2014 the startup is aimed mainly at students for now \u2013 can request an online chat with a therapist, and whoever is available takes the booking.<\/p>\n Wangie has now closed an undisclosed pre-seed round led by Angel investor Raj Kulasingham and Marc Cohen<\/a> (of unbundled vc).<\/p>\n Other Angels include Maya Ghosn, The Inner Foudation, Johan Hedewag, Malin Wallin, Mauro Bagnato (4Scale Ventures), and Ada Ventures Scout program.<\/p>\n So how does it work? Wangie itself is not a therapy platform but a matching app between clients and therapists.<\/p>\n The client has control over how many therapists they talk to, when and how often they book\/rebook sessions, and for how long they want to talk (15, 30 or 50min). It\u2019s also possibility to talk to more than one therapist.<\/p>\n Users sign up anonymously to see the list of therapists who are currently online. They can request a chat with a therapist of choice, and have 5 minutes to confirm. Once confirmed, they pay and the app opens a private chat between the client and the therapist. <\/p>\n Therapists have a simple app on their phones, which they use to go online whenever they are available. Wangie makes money via a commission from each session. <\/p>\n