The pandemic is taking a toll on everyone, but teens in particular are seeing an increase in anxiety and depression.
In parallel, distance therapy and online mental health services are also growing. A Seattle startup call Joon Care just got $ 3,5 million to expand its distance therapy service for teens and young adults.
Mental health online, with an app
The formula of the Joon Care app is simple. Almost brutal. The app connects customers with a therapist who specializes in youth. Sessions range from $120 to $180 an hour. Customers typically subscribe to 16-week treatment plans that include therapy sessions and access to the app. Customers under 18 also get a monthly parental check-in.
In terms of business model, Joon Care has no relationship with private insurance companies in the USA. He receives money directly from clients, and then pays the therapists for the care they provide. Upon request, you can provide a detailed statement to obtain reimbursement from insurance.
The boom was crazy: in just one year it started and structured a service in an entire state, that of Washington. The first session of the online mental health service started in May, just six months ago. Today Joon Care is already active in two other American states, California and Oregon.
Online therapy also becomes contactless
Joon Care is riding another pandemic trend. As social distancing has accelerated demand for remote healthcare options, patients (and even therapists) are increasingly looking to teletherapy platforms to replace or supplement in-person care. There is a flurry of mental health startups around the world with online services that aim to help people. In particular, the services are oriented towards a specific block: people aged between 13 and 24. A crucial period, which is experiencing a considerable increase in problems even before Covid-19.
The second leading cause of death for teens and young adults in 2018 was suicide. The social isolation born from the pandemic can only worsen the picture.
The professor expresses himself very clearly for Italy Massimo Di Giannantonio, president of the Italian Society of Psychiatry. Pharmacies have increased by 35% the endowments of anxiolytics and hypnotics and by 28,2% the endowments of antidepressants. As many as 300 new cases are expected in the care of mental health departments.
The demand for mental health services, even online, has never been greater
What insights can be gained from cases like that of Joon Care? Aside from the fact that his rapid growth does not yet allow me to make a definitive judgement. First of all, the strong specialization of online therapy in an area that will be the one with the highest increase in the near future. More: the area of adolescents and young adults will have an increase in demand for online mental health services that is currently unmanageable. Far exceeds the offer. Simply put: there is room to build many such services.
