Wysa, the mental health startup backed by Google, is poised to provide a much-needed lifeline for those struggling with anxiety and trauma exacerbated by the pandemic. The company is preparing for an upcoming fundraiser aimed at supporting its mission to alleviate excessive stress and mental health challenges faced by many during these trying times.
Mental Health Awareness: Wysa Offers Support Amid Pandemic-Induced Stress
For years, mental health issues were heavily stigmatized, but societal attitudes have begun to shift. Although discussing mental health has become more acceptable, it still carries a degree of stigma. Common issues include anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, grief, sleep disturbances, paranoia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these challenges with new realities such as social distancing, remote work, temporary unemployment, and homeschooling, leading to increased fear, stress, and anxiety. While talking about these issues can be difficult, keeping them bottled up is not helpful. Having someone to listen without judgment is crucial for those struggling.
Wysa, an AI-based conversational assistant founded in 2015 by Jo Aggarwal and Ramakant Vempati, offers a supportive platform for managing mental health. This Bangalore-based startup provides a safe, science-backed space for individuals to address their mental health needs. Using cognitive-behavioral techniques validated by clinical research, Wysa delivers personalized support through conversations guided by therapists.
Wysa’s AI-enabled chatbot, Wysa the Penguin, ensures private and anonymous interactions. The platform offers mindfulness meditation, self-help exercises, and personalized tools for coping with stress, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, anger, and grief. It operates on a freemium model with subscription options: quarterly at ₹8,999, monthly at ₹4,999, and weekly at ₹1,499. The app creates a personalized toolkit and journal, facilitating empathetic listening and practical support.
To date, Wysa has conducted over 100 million conversations and raised $3.9 million in funding. It is now seeking to raise ₹34.2 crore from prominent investors including W Health Global, pi Ventures, Kae Capital, Beeline Impex, Shangrila Infotech, and Kateel Software. Backed by Google Assistant since March 2021, Wysa aims to become a global leader in mental health support. With over 1.2 million users across 30 countries, Wysa has been recognized by ORCHA as the top app for managing COVID-19-related stress and anxiety.
In these challenging times, Wysa provides a valuable resource for mental resilience. Discover more by exploring the app on the Play Store and iOS.