Introduction
Mental health has become an increasingly important topic, and startups are innovating to provide accessible solutions for individuals seeking support. One such startup, Being, founded in 2020 by CEO Varun Gandhi and CTO Abhishek Sharma, is on a mission to scale its mental health app. Being’s unique approach allows users to create a personalized map of their concerns, helping them navigate everyday issues. In this article, we will delve into th features and philosophy behind the Being app, exploring how it aims to make mental health care more accessible and user-centric.
The Genesis of Being
Being’s journey began with Varun Gandhi’s personal experience dealing with anxiety during his upbringing. Frustrated by the lack of effective treatments, Gandhi set out to create a solution that resonates with individuals facing mental health challenges. The result is the Being app, designed to provide a user-driven approach to mental well-being.
Mapping Your Concerns
The core feature of Being is its innovative approach to mapping mental health concerns. Users can start by searching for the issues or feelings they are currently experiencing. For example, someone might begin with, “I’m not feeling too great about myself today.” Users can then add additional aspects of their mental state, such as, “My physical health doesn’t feel great.” If a specific concern hasn’t already been added by another user, they can create a new entry.
Building Your Mental Health Map
Once users have added their concerns, the Being app helps them create a map that provides an overview of the different aspects they want to work on. The app then analyzes the connections between these concerns, offering insights into why they might be feeling a certain way.
“The map is only growing as people are sharing more and more of their issues,” Gandhi explained. “People are moving from one thing to another, and the map is developing all kinds of dynamic connections.”
Addressing Mental Health Concerns
Being offers three distinct ways for users to work through their mental health concerns:
- Interactive Therapy Sessions: The app provides mini interactive therapy sessions designed by licensed mental health professionals. These sessions focus on techniques like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), allowing users to engage in evidence-based practices.
- AI-Powered Journaling: Users can opt for an AI-powered journaling session. The AI offers prompts for reflection, and as users write, it provides additional questions. While AI plays a role, Being is careful not to replace science-backed therapy with automation.
- Quick Bites of Psychoeducation: Being also offers concise, science-based psychoeducation for users who have limited time. These resources help individuals quickly understand why they may be experiencing specific feelings.
A User-Centric Approach
Being’s philosophy revolves around approaching mental health from the ground up. Rather than assigning labels or conditions to users, the app focuses on what individuals are currently feeling. This open-ended care model allows users to explore their emotions and concerns without preconceived notions.
“We don’t wait for people to seek help; we try to approach mental health from the ground up and start from where the person currently is,” Gandhi emphasized. “We start to see mental health as what the person is experiencing at any point in time because most of us are not okay in different ways.”
Accessibility and Subscription Tiers
Being is available on both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. The app offers two subscription tiers:
- DIY Experience ($9.99 per month): This tier provides users with a self-guided experience to explore and address their mental health concerns independently.
- Premium Support ($19.99 per month): The premium tier offers additional support and one-on-one chats with a mental health professional, providing users with more personalized assistance.
Funding and Expansion
Being is actively expanding its reach and impact in the mental health space. The company is in the process of closing a $3 million seed round, building on the success of two pre-seed rounds in 2021 and 2022 that raised $1.4 million in funding. With these resources, Being aims to further develop its app and continue making mental health care more accessible to everyone.
Conclusion
Being’s innovative approach to mental health care empowers users to take control of their well-being by mapping their concerns and exploring tailored solutions. By prioritizing user-centricity and accessibility, Being is poised to play a significant role in the evolving landscape of mental health support. As the startup continues to grow and expand its offerings, it has the potential to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals seeking support for their mental health challenges.
