Mental health—5 essential learnings in my first 6 months of tackling this space

As we slowly emerge, we hope to witness a transition from a diagnostic to a preventative care mental health approach, driving increased adoption of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and alternative forms of coaching. Should such care become mainstream, how will we be able to expand access and solve the supply constraints of licensed therapists tod... See more

In a similar vein, mental health 2.0 companies re-built the traditional models of care — provider directories and marketplaces — in a digital way. Headspace, Meditopia and Calm expanded how and when one could practice meditation and mindfulness and built massive businesses. On-demand therapy platforms Talkspace and BetterHelp allowed patients to vi... See more

Mental health 3.0 will be interactive, adaptive, and buttery — more like Duolingo or Peloton than a MOOC or Rosetta Stone.

These technological advances come at a time when the need for mental health care is particularly acute: According to a report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the United States experienced mental illness in 2020. And the numbers continue to climb.

A reason for optimism is that Gen Z’s know their mental health is poor, and they’re taking action. Talking about depression is no longer stigmatized; more and more people are going to therapy. And new companies are emerging to provide support (e.g., Pace, Headway, Sondermind, Grow).