Member Article

Yorkshire family announce expansion plans for free global mental health app amidst 115% increase in demand

Leading mental health and wellbeing app, My Possible Self, have announced expansion plans to include even more clinically backed tools, techniques and content to be released on World Mental Health Day, Sunday 10th October.

Born out of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, the move underlies their continued commitment to providing innovative, affordable mental health solutions for all, and comes amidst rising demand – My Possible Self have seen their user base double from around 70,000, to more than 150,000 in the last year alone.

As part of the imminent upgrades to come, the My Possible Self app will host new content, from workout and movement videos to mindfulness and breathing exercises, podcasts, recipes, and relatable content from mental health ambassadors and experts, designed to support and tackle stigma around mental health.

Founded by Joanne Wilkinson in 2009 and now completely free, the app has been developed working with world leading independent mental health care provider Priory Healthcare and is endorsed on the NHS App Library, demonstrating it meets NHS technical, clinical and safety standards.

Initially offering a range of health and wellbeing services, Joanne was motivated to set up the business after seeking help from a therapist when she experienced emotional challenges as an adult. Reaping the benefits from therapy and transforming her life, My Possible Self has always been about democratising the advice and information she received to help others, a challenge which since 2016 she is now striving to achieve alongside her two daughters, Hana and Fleur, both directors at My Possible Self.

With 792 million people suffering from mental health issues globally each year, and with increasing scientific evidence indicating mental health toolkits really work, My Possible Self offers a clinically safe and clinically approved holistic and 360º approach to mental health.

Hinged upon interactive tools and techniques using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), users are guided to manage their problems by breaking them down to become less overwhelming and more manageable, with problems categorised into five areas: situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and actions.

Clinically certified, the app features a wide array of tools to promote happiness, wellbeing and prevent day-to-day problems from holding users back. This includes an everyday ‘mood tracker’, learning modules for a better understanding of what aspects of life are causing anxiety, alongside methods for how to reshape negative thoughts towards more positive ones.

It tracks and monitors behaviour on an individual level to offer personalised insights, and, interestingly, since the app was made free in March of 2020, it is the 18-24 female demographic where the largest demand has been seen.

Its demand has also grown to support an international audience, 42% of users in the UK, 17% in the US and 41% of users hailing from other territories worldwide.

Speaking on the growth seen and expressing her excitement to be strengthening the My Possible Self offering, founder Joanne Wilkinson explains: “The pandemic has certainly accelerated the need for high-quality tools and techniques that have the power to harness improved mental wellbeing and we hope to be able to reach millions in providing access to world leading mental health experts.”

Joanne adds: “Regardless of whether you feel you are struggling or not, the tools within the app are designed to guide anyone to a place with greater happiness and a sense of peace.”

Daughter Hana Wilkinson, director at My Possible Self added: “As a family we believe that everyone deserves to have good mental health. We’re giving our users access to the platform for free because as a family and as a business our drive is to help people lead well-rounded and happier lives.”

Alongside the app’s upgrades to come, My Possible Self have also launched a series of podcasts featuring conversations with world-leading mental health experts, thought leaders, influencers and ambassadors to continue on its mission to help users improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The first four episodes will be made available in the lead-up to World Mental Health Day featuring Alastair Campbell, the journalist, broadcaster and mental health campaigner, Owen O’Kane, the psychotherapist and best-selling author, Joshua Fletcher, the counsellor, social media influencer and best-selling author, and My Possible Self’s director’s Hana Wilkinson and Fleur Stevenson. From then on, a new episode will land every Tuesday with Good Morning Britain and Lorraine’s go to GP Dr Hilary Jones next in line for a thought-provoking conversation.

These episodes will be available via the My Possible Self app and usual podcast hosting sites including Apple, Spotify and Google, hosted by renowned international broadcaster Gabby Sanderson.

My Possible Self will also be going live every Thursday at 1pm on the My Possible Self Instagram page with ‘Checking In’ conversations with leading mental health influencers, ambassadors and those in the public eye who have spoken openly about their mental health, giving their users and followers the opportunity to ask direct questions and to continue to stay on track with their mental wellbeing.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Peter Callahan .