Historically marginalized communities have been disproportionally affected by COVID-19, which has exacerbated historic medical inequalities.
However, access toculturally competent therapistscan be difficult.
As a first-generation Chinese-American, speaking openly about mental health was taboo.
Unmute
“Stereotypically, we didn’t speak about mental health in my family,” Leung said.
“I called my mom like, ‘What the heck?’
and she said, ‘I don’t like her, I think I can heal my own depression…
Unmute
I’m not into this whole therapy thing,'” Leung said.
She brought Wijewardane on board to help organize ideas and create a game plan.
Unmute launched during the pandemic when more people began searching for help with their mental health.
The co-founders said there has always been a need for these services.
They combined that knowledge with technology to create a matching algorithm between people and the therapists they want.
After paying a $25 matching fee, they receive five recommendations from a Therabuddy.
Once the therapist responds, we’ll let the user know and connect them via e-mail.
She then began focusing on the A.I.
American Psychological Association.Stress in AmericaTM 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis.
Infographic:BIPOC And LGBTQ+ Mental Health.
American Psychological Association.2015 APA survey of psychology health service providers.
Treatment (US) C for SA.Core Competencies for Counselors and Other Clinical Staff.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Mental Health Treatment Among Adults: United States, 2020.
