Innovation

Wysa

2023 | Ross O’Brien

Wysa is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based ’emotionally intelligent’ service which responds to the emotions you express and uses evidence-based cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), DBT, meditation, breathing, yoga, motivational interviewing and micro-actions to help you build mental resilience skills and feel better. It supports patients through the NHS pathway starting from prevention support in the community, through interative e-triage, waitlist support, AI guided CBT practice and relapse prevention.

Mental health

The challenge

When trying to access mental health support many encounter the following issues:

E-triage – patients complain of a static form to fill in or a call back weeks after reaching out for help.

Waitlist support – patients complain of over one year waits with no help and no information about services or mental health support.

AI CBT – patients using traditional CBT offerings have a low uptake rate and a high dropout rate due to static online workbooks.

Post discharge – revolving door patients come back to services as they require further help.

The solution

Wysa offers continuous conversational care, supporting the entire mental health care pathway at referral, during waits, as a CBT treatment, as well as post discharge support and ongoing access. Wysa are proud to work with mental health services to release more time for care and significantly improve the experience of people using NHS services.

Wysa offers a unique and bespoke experience for every one of its users via an app or widget. The power of AI means that as well as an interactive, two-way conversation, Wysa is also able to grow and understand the individual needs of its users and serve up bespoke, timely support. Wysa makes use of a wide range of clinically underpinned modules whilst gamification, clinical outcome measures and AI promotes engagement, improving efficacy.

Wysa is delivered as a stand-alone system which patients download directly onto their personal device. Wysa is a top-rated app on IOS and Android App stores and is featured as best in class by ORCHA and Mozilla. All tools are built by current and former NHS clinicians and co-produced with local service providers.

The impact

User feedback shows that the AI interface is positively received by users who rate the acceptability, usability, usefulness and integration highly.
A real-world effectiveness study showed that a clinical improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms could be achieved through engagement with the app. At an annual average cost of£5.90 per eligible user (based on total number of service referrals), an AI supported solution that measurably reduces the symptoms of depression and anxiety could reduce the 441,775 referrals received annually that are triaged but do not receive any face-to-face support. With each triage taking on average 97 minutes and costing £105pp this is a significant cost saving for the NHS.

For more information, visit: https://www.wysa.com/