What caused the surge in mental health crisis?
The global mental health crisis has been an ongoing issue the health sector has been fronting since the end of the pandemic. Although there are a multitude of factors such as the rise in living costs and mounting global challenges there seems to be little sign of it disappearing. One of the pivotal reasons for this crisis was many didn’t know the severe and extensive repercussions of Covid-19. Many failed to realize that the pandemic was not a health crisis but also a social one as well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a major explanation for the ongoing mental health crisis was the unprecedented stress caused by the social isolation resulting from the pandemic. Additionally, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the WHO. Unfortunately, we still face the effects five years removed from the pandemic.
Israel’s very own mental health crisis:
Several Israeli companies in the health tech industry have been crucial in addressing the current crisis. An additional motive being the trauma inflicted by the events of October 7. Not only were Israelis suffering from the aftermath effects of the pandemic but they also had to grapple with PTSD as a result of the armed conflict at home.
Israel’s health-tech response to the mental health crisis:
The addition of technology to mental health care in Israel is not merely a response to a temporary crisis but a solution to the ongoing issue. With a range of digital therapy platforms, the ever-evolving mental health field in Israel is not just innovating but redefining how we attain mental wellness. Israeli companies are integrating technology with healthcare and providing innovative, accessible, and effective mental health solutions.
The following companies are exemplary examples of this:
– GrayMatters Health– Developer of a digital self-neuromodulation that is therapeutic for mental disorders in order to help patients regain agency over their emotion regulation.
The company’s first product candidate, Prism for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is undergoing clinical investigation in five sites across the United States and Israel, to demonstrate its efficacy and safety as an adjunct to standard PTSD treatments. Prism was cleared by FDA in March 2023.
– XRHealth: Leading vital initiatives to support mental health and post-trauma, this advanced virtual therapeutic clinic uses virtual and augmented reality technology approved by the FDA. Along with licensed clinicians and advanced data analysis, the company provides a comprehensive therapeutic solution for patients at home or in a clinical environment.
– Therapy Everywhere: Therapy Everywhere provides an end-to-end solution designed to help mental health therapists acquire and treat patients in person or over the internet. The company provides a complete solution, including scheduling, reminders, billing, payment, websites, and social media. Therapy Everywhere breaks down location barriers, allowing therapists to treat patients anywhere, at any time.
– Kai.ai: Kai provides an end-to-end software platform designed to support mental health care delivery in various settings such as clinics, telehealth, and practices for individual providers. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to help providers deliver mental health services more efficiently. It also contributes to reducing the time therapists spend in direct patient interaction and aims to decrease patient dropout rates, thereby enhancing treatment efficiency and patient engagement.
For more information please reach out to Pablo.Avaria@israeltrade.gov.il
israeltrade.org.au 