In response to growing concerns about the accessibility of mental health services, OpenUp has unveiled a new mobile app designed to provide immediate support to those in need. This app offers a variety of preventative services, including one-on-one consultations with psychologists or lifestyle experts within 24 hours, group sessions, and self-guided care options, all accessible from users’ mobile devices.
Mental health services often face long waiting times, and OpenUp’s app offers a timely solution. In countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, waiting lists for mental health services can stretch for months.
The current allocation of resources for services is insufficient to meet the rising demand, resulting in significant delays and higher treatment thresholds. Estimates indicate that the mental health waiting list in the UK has reached 1.2 million people as of 2023.
The OpenUp app aims to eliminate these barriers, providing instant access to professional support.
Mental health professionals emphasise the importance of timely access to support. Gijs Coppens, a leading psychologist and founder of OpenUp, noted: “Despite the evident need, we as a society have not yet been able to solve the high demand for mental health questions. Current projections by the WHO indicate that by 2030 depression is the leading cause of disease burden globally, especially for low and middle incomes who have the least access to solutions.
“Innovations like our app make it possible to provide support to many more people focussed on an early stage. Immediate and preventative access to mental health services can significantly reduce the burden on traditional healthcare systems and improve individual outcomes.”
OpenUp’s app is part of a larger effort to make mental well-being support more accessible. By bringing these services to mobile devices, OpenUp is helping to bridge the gap between demand and availability, ensuring that help is available whenever and wherever it is needed.
Organisations throughout Europe are using OpenUp to foster conversations about mental health and support employee well-being. Leonoor de Vries, Head of People at Ace & Tate in the Netherlands, stated: “Having someone to talk to easily is a great way for employers to keep their teams healthy and a clear signal for employees that an organisation understands the challenges and actually cares.”
Sarah Scarbrough-Ross, People and Business Partner at Westwing, shared her thoughts on the launch of the OpenUp app: “Having on-the-go access to mental health support through the OpenUp app is a game-changer for our fast-paced, always-on-the-move workforce.”
Research indicates that investing in mental well-being can yield significant returns for organisations. According to a Deloitte report, every euro invested in employee mental health can bring back six euros in benefits. Companies across Europe, from large corporations like KPMG, Miele, Decathlon and Rituals, to small local retailers, agencies or startups, have integrated services like OpenUp and reported noticeable improvements in employee satisfaction and productivity.
Oskar Börjesson, HR manager at Mister Spex, commented: “The mental well-being of our employees holds immense significance for us. When our team members aren’t in a positive mindset, it impacts the overall outlook of our company. It’s crucial that we openly engage in discussions on these matters and ensure that support is readily available for those who seek it. The introduction of this app streamlines the process, making it more accessible for everyone to participate in sessions. We firmly believe that this initiative will yield long-term benefits for our company. When our employees feel emotionally fulfilled, it significantly enhances our ability to achieve our objectives.”
Elise Baeriswyl, People Business Partner at Picnic, noted: “Only from the moment we launched OpenUp did we realise how significant the impact was and how providing this type of external support was going to be a game-changer for the mental well-being of our employees. It has, amongst other things, added to increased productivity and engagement.”
The launch of OpenUp’s mobile app represents a significant step forward in addressing the mental health crisis by making professional support more accessible. As organisations across Europe adopt innovative solutions like OpenUp, the potential for improved employee well-being and productivity becomes increasingly clear.
