- MyTherapist.ng, a Nigerian mental healthtech startup that recently reached 5,000 users, has announced a new partnership with WellaHealth, a Nigerian healthtech company.
- This collaboration will enable MyTherapistng users to access micro-health insurance, adding an extra layer of health security.
- Per the mental healthtech startup, WellaHealth’s innovative approach to affordable healthcare will be integrated into the MyTherapistng platform, providing users with a broader range of health solutions, including telemedicine, malaria test and drugs, and diabetes and BP screening.
“This will only be open for our corporate clients for now. It's an all-in-one package that covers their employees' mental health and physical health. And Wellahealth will be our direct service providers,” Oluwaseun Raphael Afolayan, CTO and Co-founder, says.
Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million across six geopolitical zones, faces a critical mental health challenge, with one in four individuals reporting mental illness. Despite this significant issue, only about 10.4% of Nigerians with severe mental disorders have access to treatment.
Currently, just 3% of Nigerians have health insurance. However, Dr Salma Anas-Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the President on Health, announced in February 2024 that the federal government aims to extend health coverage to over 50 million Nigerians, focusing on the vulnerable and elderly, by 2027.
For healthtech startups enhancing healthcare in Nigeria, partnerships are vital for improving insurance access and expanding healthcare availability.
Research highlights the crucial role of strategic partnerships in fostering innovation and business growth. According to BPI Network, as reported by Forbes, 44% of businesses actively seek alliances to gain new ideas and insights, which drive innovation. Also, a Harvard Business Review report reveals that 94% of technology executives view innovation partnerships as essential to their strategic approach.
This partnership with healthtech companies is set to drive innovation and enhance awareness of mental health in Nigeria, where individuals with mental illnesses often face stigma and discrimination.
Dedoyin Ajayi, Co-founder and COO of MyTherapist.ng, says, "Our goal has always been to break down barriers to mental health care. Partnering with WellaHealth not only broadens the scope of services we provide but also reinforces our commitment to holistic health support for our users."
This development follows WellaHealth's launch of Healthsend Africa in Kenya nine months ago and the rollout of the subsidiary in Nigeria in June 2023. Healthsend allows immigrants to top up a website wallet and pay for various healthcare services for their family members in Nigeria and Kenya. It is accessible to immigrants in the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Beyond MyTherapistng’s collaboration with WellaHealth, the mental healthtech says it’s actively engaging in partnership discussions with several key organisations aligned with its mission to provide better mental well-being for all Africans. These partnership prospects include HMO organisations like Wellness HMO, IHMS, Healthtech startups like Clafiya, Famasi and Healthtracka, and more.
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.
Founded in October 2022 by Afolayan and Ajayi, MyTherapistng is a platform that democratises access to mental health in Nigeria. It provides access to various therapists, tools, and resources to improve and maintain mental well-being.
Mental health therapy is available in video, text, and audio formats. For students with valid proof, it costs as low as ₦1,500, while the standard rate for individuals is ₦3,000.
In addition to individual support, MyTherapistng offers corporate wellness programmes for businesses and organisations to support their employees' mental health.
Recent features like therapy gifting and couples therapy have been well-received, enabling users to share mental health support and receive professional guidance for relationship challenges. Upcoming enhancements include Mindspace community support groups, student discounts, group therapy sessions, and streamlined pricing for corporate wellness.
The company has expanded its user base to Cameroon, Togo, France, the UK, and the US. It plans to add more multilingual therapists to better serve users from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
To facilitate easier payments, MyTherapistng says it will soon support additional international payment options and offer time zone flexibility, enhancing accessibility for global users.
Recognising competitors like Blueroomcare as co-innovators, MyTherapistng is intensifying collaborations with international mental health organisations to ensure its services are culturally relevant and sensitive to the needs of its diverse user base.
