Top 7 Mental Health Startups in the UK in 2023
Mental health is a growing concern globally, and the UK is no exception. According to a recent report by the Mental Health Foundation, one in four people in the UK experience mental health problems each year, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the situation.
In response to this growing need, there has been a rise in mental health startups in the UK. These startups are leveraging technology and innovation to provide accessible, affordable, and effective mental health services to individuals across the country. In this article, we will explore the importance of mental health startups in the UK and how they are making a positive impact.
Mental Health Startups
Accessibility
One of the main advantages of mental health startups is the accessibility they provide. Many people in the UK struggle with mental health issues, but they may not be able to access traditional mental health services due to cost, location, or stigma. Mental health startups address this issue by providing online counseling and therapy services that are affordable and accessible from anywhere.
For example, platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace offer virtual counseling and therapy sessions that are accessible from a computer or mobile device. This makes it easier for people to access mental health services from the comfort of their own homes, without having to worry about transportation or taking time off work.
Innovation
Another key advantage of mental health startups is their innovative approach to mental health treatment. Many startups are using cutting-edge technology and research to develop new treatments and therapies that are more effective than traditional methods.
For example, startups like Big Health are using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches to develop digital therapeutics that can be accessed through mobile apps. These digital therapeutics are designed to help individuals manage their mental health on their own terms, with personalized programs that can be tailored to their specific needs.
Affordability
The cost of mental health treatment is a significant barrier for many people in the UK. Traditional mental health services can be expensive, and many people may not have access to insurance or other resources to cover the costs. Mental health startups are addressing this issue by providing affordable services that are accessible to everyone.
For example, startups like Ginger and Koa Health offer low-cost mental health services that are designed to be affordable for people of all income levels. These services may be covered by insurance, or they may be available on a sliding scale based on income.
Sane
A leading mental health company was established in 1986 to enhance the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. It was founded as a charity by Marjorie Wallace after a series of her articles were published and one of which is titled “The Forgotten Illness”.
Sane’s vision has remained changeless throughout its history for 36 years; to help build a world where mental illness shouldn’t be a shame to talk about in society but should be recognised as one of the most significant difficulties that should be tackled, just like physical health conditions.
Its Aims and Objectives include;
- Reducing mental sickness by influencing policy and improving treatment and care.
- Raising awareness to combat the stigmatisation of mental illness by campaigning and conducting educational seminars about it.
- Sane aims to provide emotional support, guidance and information to anyone with mental sickness.
- Sane aims to provide support through the national out-of-hours specialist helpline for people struggling with mental well-being.
Turning Point
Barry Richard founded Turning Point as ‘the Camberwell Alcohol Project’. There’s a long history of turning lives around with various services across England and Wales. The vision of the turning point is to find ways to support more people to discover new possibilities in their lives. It has a turnover of £111m, £60m of which is for the delivery of substance misuse services, £18m for the delivery of mental health services and £34m for the delivery of support to people with a Learning Disability.
The organisation supports people with mental health issues, learning disabilities and substance-related disorders.
The aims and goals of the turning point are to;
- Support people to improve their mental health by bringing positive life changes.
- Therapies, Support is offered for those with mental health issues.
- There are residential rehabilitation services for people with severe mental illness.
- By preventing the escalation of needs by reducing demand on the health and social care system.
Health Assured
Health Assured is UK and Ireland’s Most trusted health and well-being network founded in 2009 by David Price with the headquarter located in Manchester, UK. David’s career has always been focused on the well-being of employees. He advises employers to develop a healthy workspace for employees. Holistic approaches are delivered to clients for their well-being to live happier and healthier life. Health Assured has years of experience with health and well-being. We’re trusted experts in reducing stress, combating absenteeism, encouraging good mental health and promoting positivity in any workspace of an organisation.
Praxis Care
Praxis Care is the most numerous registered care-providing charity based in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1981 by Nevin Ringland, with its headquarters in Belfast. It’s dedicated to supporting individuals with mental ill health, learning disabilities, dementia and autism. Over 1500 adults have been helped with over 134 services spread across Northern Ireland, Ireland, Great Britain and the Isle of Man. The Core vision is to be a leader in individualised care and support approaches across the UK. Its mission is to empower lives that will be valued, meaningful and inclusive regardless of the complexity of daily needs. The revenue generated in 2018 was £33.9 million, and in 2019, its payment was expected to reach £45 million.
Together
Together was established in 1879 by Rev. Henry Hawkins to support people with mental health issues to live a better and more fulfilling life. It offers a wide range of support to assist people to deal with people dealing with mental health issues. Its services range from one-to-one support in the community to supported accommodation, enabling them to live more satisfying lives. Its vision is to cooperate and work with people with mental distress to develop their insights, skills and potential and to promote their voices to improve general practice for all and policy.
Samaritans
Samaritans was founded by a vicar called Chad Varah in 1953 in London. His inspiration came from an experience he had had some earlier years as a young curate in the diocese of Lincoln. He had taken a funeral of a fourteen years old girl who had committed suicide because she believed she had contracted an STD while, in reality, she was menstruating. The movement grew rapidly; within ten years, there were branches, and now there are 201 branches across the Uk and Ireland. It is a registered charity that provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, often through its telephone helpline. Samaritan volunteers are given rigorous training to be non-judgmental and empathetic. By listening and asking open questions, Samaritans volunteers help to help people explore their feelings and work out their way forward.
Mind
Mind was initially known as the National Association of mental health (NAMH), founded in 1946 by three voluntary organisations that provided services for the “Maladjusted”, emotionally disrupted and mentally handicapped to any degree. The name Mind was introduced in 1972, and the lowercase version ‘mind’ was introduced in the 1990s. The aims and objectives of this organisation are to provide advice and support to empower anyone challenged with mental health issues. Campaigns are being provided to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health. This organisation is open to taking donations, sponsorship, and grants, and it operates charity shops across England and Wales. Each local mind association is an independent organisation responsible for its funding. However, large projects are sponsored by the more prominent organisation. In 2009, the total gross income of the local branch organisations was £87 million, combined with the national income of £25 million, costing £112 million. Some local associations reported that most of their income was from the British government through local government and NHS grants. The national account for Mind at the end of the financial year in March 2020 showed their total income was £58 million and expenditure was £60 million. There’s a policy binding their rules not to accept any donation or money from Pharmaceutical companies or fees for attending conferences.
It was also recorded that in July 2015, Mind partnered and worked with Ofcom on the regulator’s UK calling campaign to make communications that were clear and easy to understand.
Conclusion
Mental health startups are playing an increasingly important role in the UK by providing accessible, innovative, and affordable mental health services to individuals across the country. These startups are leveraging technology and research to develop new treatments and therapies that are more effective than traditional methods, and they are making mental health care more accessible to people who may not have had access to it before. As the demand for mental health services continues to grow, these startups will likely become even more important in the years to come.
If you are curious to learn more about mental health startups, here is an article on top mental health startups you should know about.
