Conversations around mental health and mental illness have largely remained taboo in the minds of most Indians, who have seldom been open and sincere about the need for mental support. For too long, in fact, “seeking help” was looked down on, and considered a sign of weakness. However, the pandemic has ensured there is less stigma around the topic.
In March 2020, when India was struggling with an unknown enemy that was spreading faster than a lie, the government announced a nationwide lockdown to restrict the transmission of the Coronavirus. But, the psychological impacts of Covid will likely stay with us for the rest of our lives. From being isolated and separated from families to facing a sudden decrease in social support, the whole experience got people opening up on—and talking about—issues like anxiety, depression, substance withdrawal, etc. Besides, it also gave us a whole new perspective from which to look at our lives and showed us the importance of mental well-being.
Covid made people understand that mental disorders are real and common. They can affect anyone, irrespective of your age, social status or circumstances. And it has been proven that one of the main reasons behind mental illness is the absence of social interaction. With technology dominating our lives, the need for social interaction and for connecting face-to-face is becoming ever more vital. On the surface, tech has the advantage of convenience but reality demonstrates otherwise. Technology and social media have diminished the quality of people’s lives because they very rarely engage in real conversations, and are thus unable to find value in the same.
But, socio-tech companies have enabled a remarkable change by bridging the gap between people and their lack of everyday engagement. They have created platforms where tech actually helps men and women feel safe and secure. With their friendly approach and the offering of comfortable space, these apps have created a happy place for human beings, within and beyond their workspaces. The age-old caution of, “Don’t make friends with strangers,” has transformed into #MetThemOnline.
For a long time, it was thought that having superior technology gave a company the edge over its competitors. This is undoubtedly true but what gives them the fulfillment is utilising tech to create a positive impact in people’s lives. Whether it’s at home or at work, we prioritise the social needs of empathy and belongingness through technology, which benefits the users—and all those with whom the company works—by syncing with the social network, allowing for a happy work environment, positivity training and positive thinking, team-building activities, and an emotional support system.
This process not only helps the brand to understand the team better but also tells them who they are as a team, and what value they want their user to derive. For example, many companies have understood that the key to professional excellence lies in the balance, and activities around belongingness make people feel content with their work. In such a scenario, self-doubt vanishes and so does the stress and anxiety that come with it.
So, socio-tech companies are providing a solution to a problem that not many people are aware of—not only for the users by building an app that listens to them, but also for the team that designs the app, by listening to their needs.
The author is Co-Founder of Now&Me.