Sophron

Sophron, derived from the Greek word for Sound Mind, is a digital health app that will provide an easily accessible and affordable confidential platform to educate, diagnose and provide access to professional help in dealing with mental health issues across different geographical locations.

According to WHO, it is estimated that one in four people will suffer a mental health condition at some point in their lives, making this a leading cause of ill-health and disability worldwide. Yet because mental health, unlike physical health, is less apparent, in many cases awareness and help is absent leading to tragic consequences. Where sufferers are aware, fear, stigma, isolation and cultural barriers can prevent them from seeking help. Additionally, there are inadequate mental healthcare services to meet the demands of easily accessible, non-judgmental treatment. Therefore, a confidential, informative yet accessible platform to seek professional help is crucial. 

In recent years, public demand for improving health via digital platforms such as Fitbit has increased. 2015’s “Pulse of Online Health” survey indicated at least 66% of Americans were willing to use mobile apps to manage health-related issues. Sophron will leverage this growing appetite by tackling 2 main issues tied to mental illnesses. Firstly, Sophron will facilitate ongoing education of mental illnesses and their treatments; 62% of respondents to Sophron’s proprietary survey were unaware of treatment processes. Secondly, Sophron will minimize stigma by providing a personalized platform, evidenced by 77% of respondents willing to use it to manage mental health.

Increased public awareness of mental health and brain care through demystification of commonly held beliefs, accessible online based treatment for those suffering from mental health conditions and consequently improved quality of life are the key impacts of our solution. Beneficiaries include but are not limited to teenagers, youths and adult populace in low –middle income, semi-urban to urban areas globally. Deployment will be achieved via application marketplaces such as Google Play, website downloads, targeted ad services and partnership in mental health awareness workshops with various organisations (including universities, healthcare and corporate).

Monitor app downloads in marketplace and collect population census of attendees at workshops held. - Public awareness of mental health

Marketplace analytics using google play, app store to track number of users booking appointments via the app as well as a feedback based system within app - Accessible treatment for users diagnosed or suffering with mental health conditions

Pre-assessment during treatment and post-assessment after treatment; mood tracker to identify trends over time - Improved quality of life

The uniqueness of Sophron is its cross-border accessibility to online based treatment for users with mental health conditions in under-served areas. For example, users in Nigeria can get initial consultations and cognitive behavioural therapy from psychotherapists in the UK via video appointments. Linkage will be via a matching system on the basis of symptoms confirmed by the diagnostic checker, with the ability to choose their preferred therapist for treatment. Sophron differentiates itself with its unique cross-border treatment access combined with its brain care management and diagnostic functionalities. These functionalities are lacking in our competitors offerings.

Our technology starts and ends with the people it is created for. From the moment a user downloads the app, to gaining valuable insights into mental well-being or booking appointments for therapy, every feature is geared towards the user’s needs and care. We have designed Sophron based out of our own personal experience dealing with depression and having access to adequate healthcare services, something that is grossly lacking in poorer communities globally. Sophron is human centered because it is personal and born out of a desire to see all humans have access to treatment as needed. 

Sophron will be deployed through various means including application downloads on marketplaces like Google Play, Apple store etc. Other means include targeted advertising on social media platforms (e.g. YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook) and a designated website. The app will be free to download, with many free features like mood tracker, symptom checker and information on mental health. Subscription packages for therapy sessions with psychotherapists will be available at a reduced rate compared to in-person appointments. Accessibility will be achieved by leveraging continued global expansion of smartphone usage, particularly in developing economies where saturation is not yet at its peak.

We intend to use funds secured to date, personal savings as well as continuing to seek other potential investors (e.g. angel investors, venture capital firms and bank loans) as we research, develop and grow our solution. We will continue to seek partnerships and funding with cooperates, health care institutions and charities that may be interested in leveraging and deploying our solution within their organisations. We will leverage opportunities to pitch our solution at innovators' pitching competitions for startups such as the Innovators' Pitch held annually for early stage startups in Europe. Additionally, we intend to utilize crowd funding platforms such as Kick Starter, Peerbackers and Microventures to raise the needed funds required. As we move beyond piloting stage and start to grow, revenues from in-app services will be reinvested back into developing enhanced features of the app and scaling globally.

Some of the limiting factors are financial constraints especially at the development and beta stage, human unconscious bias towards mental health,  associated stigma and unstable internet access in under-served communities. 

https://www.surveymonkey.net/results/SM-TYCN6FSP/

We believe in what Solve represents - the ability to improve the human experience by bringing about global change to complex human problems via technology. Mental health disorders have been largely ignored for far too long, particularly in developing economies in Africa. Becoming a Solver enables us to gain access to the right platform and resources, creating synergies with industry leaders and utilizing innovation to bring about the needed change across the globe when it comes to brain health. Our ultimate goal is to save lives, one person at a time and enhance the quality of human lives mentally.

SPUD Consultancy and Services Nig. Ltd

Main competitor apps: Level Therapy, Better Help, Joyable, Pacifica, What's Up?, Daylio