Interacting with Startups to Tackle Mental Healthcare

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC), a government organisation for economic cooperation across APAC countries, reported that mental illness accounted for more than 20 per cent of the total years lost and less than 50 per cent of the people affected by mental illness received evidence-based treatment. To address these mental health concerns, startups in the APAC region have new technologies for improving awareness of mental health, maintaining the privacy of a patient, improving accessibility, and reducing unwanted hospitalisation. There is also a rise in mental wellness solutions in the form of phone apps and other digital platforms which will enable a paradigm shift towards preventive mental healthcare in the next few years. Let’s delve further.

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The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) published in 2019, revealed that mental diseases were among the top ten leading causes of global healthcare burden and this healthcare burden had not reduced since 1990. There are multiple reasons that led to mental health not being given due importance in terms of treatment as compared to physical health. They include stigma, lack of sufficient funding and policies, lack of workforce and no continuity in treatment, among others. It is further fueled by socio-economic gaps within each country and a lack of internet access and awareness.

Studies have reported that addressing mental health concerns has been critically low in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As LMICs account for over 50 per cent of the global mental health burden, it is crucial to increase public and private spending on evidence-based mental healthcare. Preventive healthcare strategies are also crucial to improve global mental wellness and may provide an effective method to reduce mental health-related risks and mortality.