MentalHappy: Accessible Mental Health Care - Y Combinator

MentalHappy App Launches to Expand Access to Mental Healthcare

Following World Mental Health Day, the MentalHappy application is being introduced with the intention of providing accessible, affordable, and destigmatized mental health support.

Addressing the Affordability Gap

Founder and CEO Tamar Blue explains her motivation, stating she has experienced both the financial capability and inability to afford therapy, which can cost $175 per hour. She emphasizes the universal need for guidance through life’s challenges.

The core question driving MentalHappy’s development was how to connect individuals with expert support without incurring substantial costs, while fostering a positive and inclusive community.

The Peer Support Model

MentalHappy tackles this issue by offering low-cost peer support groups facilitated by qualified professionals. These groups begin at $10 monthly and cover a diverse range of topics.

Examples include mental health within the Black community, navigating life after divorce, and managing anxiety. Group sizes vary, from intimate settings to larger forums accommodating over 100 members, functioning as message boards with optional video conferencing with the group leader.

Growth and Professional Network

Blue anticipates exceeding 1,000 support group leaders on the platform by year-end, leading discussions on over 47 distinct life experiences. Currently, MentalHappy collaborates with psychologists, medical doctors (MDs), acupuncturists, and certified life coaches.

While initially operating within the United States, plans are in place to extend services to other countries and languages in the future.

Prioritizing User Security and Privacy

Security is a paramount concern. Groups offer varying levels of anonymity, with some utilizing screen names for participant identification.

Many groups incorporate privacy controls, requiring users to submit authentication to the group leader, ensuring a suitable match and fostering a safe environment.

Revenue Model and Content Moderation

MentalHappy provides a revenue opportunity for qualified health and wellness professionals, retaining 5% of their monthly earnings on the app. Professionals independently determine pricing for group access.

Content moderation is addressed through automated systems identifying potentially triggering language or bullying, alongside the expectation that group leaders actively moderate their respective groups. Leaders may enlist assistance from associate therapists to manage larger groups.

A Marketplace for Support

Blue describes MentalHappy as a marketplace, drawing parallels to platforms like Airbnb and Patreon, where support group leaders operate as independent participants.

Scaling Challenges and Accessibility

The success of MentalHappy relies on a balance between facilitators and group members. Sustainable scaling presents a challenge – ensuring sufficient professional support is available to meet demand.

The app is currently focused on onboarding group leaders, many of whom leverage existing client bases to populate their groups.

Addressing Barriers to Care

The high cost of therapy often prevents individuals from seeking mental health support. Blue believes a remote, digital experience can also reach those with limited physical access to specialized care.

The United States faces a shortage of therapists – the American Psychological Association (APA) reports only 31.3 licensed psychologists per 100,000 people, leading to lengthy waitlists.

While one-on-one treatment remains vital for some, MentalHappy’s peer support groups offer a more accessible and immediate alternative.

Reaching Underserved Rural Communities

“Nearly 180 million people in the United States reside in rural areas, often lacking convenient access to mental health facilities,” Blue stated. “Online interaction provides a viable solution.”

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

MentalHappy prioritizes diversity, actively developing support groups for individuals from various backgrounds.

Blue, as a Black woman in the tech industry, understands the importance of representation. The platform actively recruits Black and Brown health professionals to lead groups, recognizing the critical role of provider fit.

A recent launch event featured NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens in a support group specifically for Black men, addressing the unique stigmas surrounding mental health within that community.

Learning from Past Challenges

Mental health startups have faced scrutiny regarding the balance between profitability and quality of care. Apps like Talkspace have encountered issues with clinical confidentiality and reporting dangerous situations due to anonymity.

Blue assures that MentalHappy will manage identities on a case-by-case basis in dangerous situations, thoroughly vetting support group leaders and providing best practices for safeguarding both leaders and members.

Funding and Evolution

To date, MentalHappy has secured $1.1 million in seed funding from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures. Blue’s previous company, CanUStart, was acquired after efficiently connecting job seekers with employers.

Initially, MentalHappy provided wellness products for corporations like UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Boston Scientific, offering support kits during significant life events. Blue then expanded the vision to create a consumer product accessible to the general public.

The app was redeveloped during the summer 2018 Y Combinator class and is now available on both iOS and Android platforms.