How Wysa Uses AI to Make Mental Health More Accessible

Wysa aims to provide “accessible mental health for everyone, anytime” through an AI-powered platform that offers personalized, always-available support. Wysa serves individuals via a mobile app, as well as employers and insurers, enabling virtual therapy options that can be vital for those facing accessibility issues.

Wysa’s approach started with text-based chatbots, a format that users found engaging and convenient. The platform quickly grew, reaching a million users. While text-based therapy remains central, Wysa has added video options, creating a hybrid model that supports flexible, continuous care. This approach allows therapists to maintain closer connections with patients outside traditional sessions, crucial for ongoing support.

Smriti Joshi, Wysa’s chief of clinical operations, explained that Wysa works well for large healthcare systems, like the U.K.'s NHS, which will soon integrate it. Through real-time tracking, Wysa alerts clinicians to emotional shifts, including severe states like suicidal ideation, making it invaluable for large practices with many patients to monitor.

Notably, Wysa's remote setup boosts accessibility for users facing physical, logistical, or privacy barriers to in-person care. Users can also complete wellness assessments in-app, similar to Apple Health’s digital forms, making it easier than paper forms at a clinic.

Wysa’s latest feature, Copilot, merges AI with human therapists, enhancing patient engagement and outcomes. Joshi shared that clients love being able to check in outside normal hours, fostering continuous support and trust. While some approach AI with caution, Joshi assured me Wysa blends AI with human oversight to safeguard privacy. As AI advances, she believes it will enhance mental health accessibility, creating a hopeful future for inclusive, effective care.