Priory Group has unveiled a partnership with mental health app My Possible Self to offer 24/7 top-quality mental health support curated by Priory experts, in a bid to radically extend its customer-base.
The Priory, best known for treating celebrities including supermodel Kate Moss and footballer Paul Gascoigne, says the partnership represents a significant, digital step forward, making its expertise more affordable and portable.
The app offers support with the most common mental health issues, including stress and anxiety, as well as unhelpful behaviours, including drinking and gambling, and is curated by Priory experts.
My Possible Self is listed on the NHS Apps Library and has been commissioned by the NHS to combat poor mental health in London. It offers interactive tools, helpful tips, visual and mental exercises and engaging activities based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and customised for digital use.
It features six guided series – Sleeping well, Overcoming my anxiety, Tackling my depression, Easing my work stress, Drinking safely and Gambling safely. The user can record their mood in the moment, identify behaviours over time and continuously monitor progress using the interactive toolkit. Other features include visual and mental exercises, personalised reminders and motivational messages.
Based in Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK, My Possible Self was founded by Joanne Wilkinson in 2009. The business initially offered a range of health and wellbeing services. In 2016, Wilkinson recruited her daughters, Hana and Fleur, to develop the company. Three years later, it was commissioned by the NHS to combat poor mental health in London.
Joe McEvoy, director of innovation and digital at the Priory Group, said: “My Possible Self has pioneered the use of technology to support mental health and wellbeing in the UK.
“For most people, their introduction to mental health advice is going to be digital and the pandemic has accelerated the need for My Possible Self’s high-quality tools and techniques.
“Our aim is to reach millions of people across the UK, giving them access to Priory expertise in a number of common areas – from stress and depression and poor sleep to learning how to reduce your alcohol intake and ensure any gambling you do is done more safely.
“Digital mental health advice helps remove stigma barriers, and is available whenever and wherever you need it. Users can integrate advice into their routine, and carry it around with them 24/7. We are committed to ensuring the widest number of people can benefit from our services at a cost and in a way that suits them.”
Wilkinson said: “We are delighted to launch this partnership with Priory to bring our innovative technology and clinically recognised content to support more people with their mental health during these difficult times.
“As a family-owned company, we are committed to bringing people the best mental health support we possibly can. We have developed the most innovative tools available to help manage and improve wellbeing when you need a helping hand at home and at work.”