Wysa reveals anxiety sufferers want digital solutions

New research from AI mental health app and chatbot Wysa, is reporting that one third of employees are experiencing moderate to severe levels of anxiety. These figures are twice the reported level indicated by the Office for National Statistics, an increase compared to the numbers reported prior to the Covid pandemic which indicated that one in 10 were suffering with mental health issues.

Additionally, the study revealed that the majority of those experiencing anxiety symptoms have not spoken about the problem with a healthcare professional. For 29% of the sufferers the feeling of embarrassment prevented them from seeking help, while 40% felt the problem wasn’t serious enough. However, when asked about digital solutions to support their mental health 81% of the employees would prefer to speak to an app instead of their HR team, 53% would prefer an app over a therapist, and 43% would favour a digital solution over consulting a GP.

Wysa’s mental health solutions can be accessed through both a virtual or mobile platform, helping to address the inclusivity and equity in access. The integration of AI into the mental health ecosystem as the first step in the care continuum is helping to tackle the shortage of qualified professionals and remove stigma, cost and availability access barriers.

“The scale of anxiety in our population is far greater than previously realised, and clearly new solutions are needed. We need better education, to break down stigma, and solutions that work for people whenever they need it, wherever they are.” said Wysa managing director Ross O’Brien

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