Addressing the Gap in Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health: Newly Developed Tech From Total Brain
Mental illness — an ailment that encompasses a wide range of conditions and disorders that affect mood, thinking, and behaviour — can be debilitating and disruptive to the lives of both patients and their caregivers. Beyond the scope of emotional and physical support (where necessary), the financial burden of managing patients who suffer from illnesses such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors can be immense. These illnesses become more prevalent with continued social acceptance and the availability of support programs in the public and private sectors. We must champion acceptance and support programs in our communities now more than ever, especially considering the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their impact on mental wellness.
In their 2016 article, Trautmann et al discuss the economic costs of mental illness in today’s society:
Based on data from 2010, the global direct and indirect economic costs of mental disorders were estimated at US$2.5 trillion. Importantly, the indirect costs (US$1.7 trillion) are much higher than the direct costs (US$0.8 trillion), which contrasts with other key disease groups, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Both direct and indirect costs of mental disorders are expected to double by 2030.
In the paper, the authors explain these high economic costs measured using two alternative methods: impact on economic growth and the value of statistical life.
Like many disease states, we can reduce the financial burden associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental illnesses through technological advancements and innovation. One such innovator, Total Brain, has developed a health and wellness platform that improves mental health and fitness through brain-based self-awareness and training. Total Brain is addressing the gap in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses by engaging large consumer groups and Fortune 500s with their platform. These groups benefit from lower mental healthcare costs, improved productivity, and critical insights on their organizations while improving the health and well-being of their employees. On an upcoming episode of our podcast, “The Platform by Sosna + Co”, we discuss Total Brain with the company’s CEO Louis Gagnon. Louis explains the features and benefits of the Total Brain platform — how it assesses the 12 core brain capacities of users, creates customized programs for improving mental wellness, and provides listeners with options to invest in the company’s future growth.