Protection intermediary LifeSearch is making mental health workforce resilience and wellbeing app ShinyMind available to its staff after investing in the technology business.
The interactive mental health portal, created by ShinyMind in collaboration with specialist neurological trust the NHS Walton Centre, aims to reduce staff stress and anxiety while boosting productivity and performance.
It is now being launched into the wider public and private sector and has received NHS ‘Proven Innovation’ status.
ShinyMind said to achieve this status, the app has had to achieve the kind of impact and evidence-base scrutiny and rigour that a piece of medical equipment would go through for approval for use in the NHS.
Rebecca Howard, founder and CEO of ShinyMind, said: “The majority of mental health apps are cognitive behavioural therapy-based but this represents just one approach to psychotherapy.
“In order to provide a resource which works for as many of us as possible, we haven’t tied ourselves to one approach; instead, we have blended elements from different psychotherapeutic approaches.
“Through a wide breadth of everyday interactive activities, this multi-modality of different approaches is reflected in ShinyMind, to help people find something that works for them.”
LifeSearch founder and CEO Tom Baigrie added: “ShinyMind proved itself inside the NHS in the most extreme conditions imaginable so it’s a very welcome addition to our network of support services.
“We know that when individuals are happier and more contented, business reaps the rewards in performance and retention, as well as reduced absenteeism.”
He noted the adviser’s staff were talking with people about very personal, sensitive and sometimes deeply upsetting things, and having the app available would help them be better placed to help customers as well as themselves.
“Prior to the pandemic there was a focus on workplace wellness, but the 2020/2021 experience has really opened up the conversation and put mental health at the top of the agenda,” he continued.
“Now more than ever employers have a duty to prioritise colleague care so individuals feel safe, heard, and protected so that, together, we can accelerate the national recovery.”
