More than 1 billion people worldwide are living with mental health disorders. That’s nearly 1 in every 7 people. It’s a reminder of just how common, yet invisible, this crisis is.
From anxiety and depression to trauma and stress, no one is truly untouched. And as wars, climate disasters, and pandemics rise, so does the mental toll.
Every year on October 10, the world observes World Mental Health Day, a moment to reflect, raise awareness, and recommit to making mental health care accessible for all.
This year, we’re spotlighting 10 mental health startups that are using innovation and technology to make care more inclusive, accessible, and stigma-free.
10 mental health startups changing the future of care
Technology has become one of the strongest allies in mental health.
From AI-driven diagnosis to on-demand therapy, digital innovation is helping bridge the global care gap, reaching people who might never have had access to help otherwise.
#1 Amaha (formerly InnerHour)
Founders: Dr. Amit Malik, Neha Kirpal
Year: 2016 | Country: India
Amaha blends therapy, psychiatry, self-care tools, and community support into one ecosystem. Their 360° “bio-physio-socio” model recognizes that body, mind, and environment together shape mental health, not just symptoms.
#2 NWNT.ai (No Worry No Tension)
Founder: Dr. Sandeep Vohra
Year: 2011 | Country: India
NWNT.ai uses the Emotional Wellness Index (EWI) to scientifically screen, track, and improve emotional health. It integrates machine learning and augmented human intelligence to deliver personalised tele-psychology and tele-psychiatry services.
#3 1to1help
Founder: Archana Bisht
Year: 2001 | Country: India
India’s leading Employee Assistance Program (EAP) platform, 1to1help provides counseling, assessments, and workshops in over 14 languages. It’s trusted by 800+ companies and has delivered over 1 million counseling sessions, making workplace wellness accessible and stigma-free.
#4 Infiheal (Healo)
Founder: Srishti Srivastava
Year: 2021 | Country: India
Healo is a 24/7 AI-powered mental health companion that listens, guides, and connects users to licensed therapists. It is available in 93+ languages. It combines privacy, empathy, and technology to make mental health support feel as easy as talking to a friend.
#5 Kintsugi
Founders: Grace Chang, Rima Seiilova-Olson
Year: 2019 | Country: United States
An AI-powered mental health platform that detects signs of anxiety and depression through short speech samples. Its proprietary tool, Kintsugi Voice, uses voice biomarkers to pick up emotional patterns invisible to the human ear. It is aiming to make mental health screening a seamless part of everyday healthcare.
#6 7 Cups
Founder: Glen Moriarty
Year: 2013 | Country: United States
A global network of trained volunteer listeners and licensed therapists offering anonymous, on-demand emotional support 24/7. 7 Cups blends peer support with professional care, helping people find comfort and connection in moments of isolation.
#7 Spring Health
Founders: April Koh, Adam Chekroud
Year: 2016 | Country: United States
Spring Health removes trial-and-error from mental healthcare. Using data analysis, it predicts which treatment will work best for each person and connects them to the right therapist or medication faster. It is making care more precise, personalized, and effective for individuals and workplaces alike.
#8 ieso Digital Health
Founders: Dan Clark, Andy Blackwell
Year: 2000 | Country: United Kingdom
ieso Health is a pioneer in online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It connects users with accredited therapists via secure text-based sessions (AI chatbots). It also uses machine learning to analyse therapy transcripts, helping identify what works best in treatment and leading research into cognitive and behavioural biomarkers for mental health.
#9 Self Space
Founders: Jodie Cariss, Chance Marshall
Year: 2017 | Country: United Kingdom
Self space is designed to make therapy aspirational, not clinical. It offers drop-in therapy studios, group sessions, and a retail-like environment that normalizes mental health care as part of daily life. Their approach aims to change cultural attitudes, turning therapy into a proactive act of self-care.
#10 Myndgard (Ireland)
Founders: Dr. Sean Kelley, Dr. Edel Crehan, Pat Flynn
Year: 2022 | Country: Ireland
Myndgard is an AI and app tech to identify early signs of depression and anxiety in youth by continuously assessing behavioral and physiological data (sleep, movement, socialization). Provides detailed pre-therapy reports to clinicians before the first session. Personalises patient support and doubles patient capacity without more staff.
The road ahead for global mental health
These are just a few of the many startups reshaping how the world approaches mental health. Across continents, innovators are blending science, empathy, and technology to make care more personal, accessible, and stigma-free.
The future looks brightly positive, but one truth remains unchanged: healing still begins with human connection.
At an individual level, we can all make a difference:
- Listen without judgment. Sometimes, being present matters more than offering solutions.
- Check in often. A simple “How are you, really?” can open doors to honesty.
- Prioritize your own wellbeing. Seeking help is strength, not weakness.
Let’s vow to take mental health as seriously as physical health for ourselves, our communities, and the generations to come. Together, we can create a world where help feels human and healing feels possible.
-By Rinkle Dudhani and the AHT Team
