#54 - Making the smartphone a psychiatrist - Hannes Klöpper - HelloBetter

While studies have yet to prove a direct causal link, the correlation between smartphone use and declining mental health is well-established, a trend especially concerning among young people.

But what if the same technology contributing to the problem could also be the solution?

It turns out the therapeutic potential of our smartphones for mental health is no longer up for debate, and one company at the forefront of this revolution is HelloBetter.

In this episode of Impulse, we dive into the fascinating world of digital cognitive behavioural therapy with Hannes Klöpper, its Co-Founder and CEO.

Hannes breaks down how his team developed one of the world's most extensive portfolios of digital mental health therapies, covering conditions from depression and burnout to panic attacks and vaginismus.

These treatments demonstrate how digital-first solutions can be remarkably effective, prescribable by healthcare professionals, and accessible anytime, anywhere.

We also explore the game-changing potential of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) in mental health, and how they are opening new frontiers for preventing and detecting mental health symptoms early!

Timeline:

• 00:00:00 - What drew Hannes to the cause of HelloBetter
• 00:05:55 - The power of delivering cognitive behavioural therapy through a smartphone
• 00:11:50 - How HelloBetter supports patients as an intervention for mental health distress
• 00:16:20 - The mental health conditions for which HelloBetter provides digital therapeutic programs
• 00:20:24 - How the therapeutic performance of HelloBetter's programs is evaluated
• 00:25:39 - The duality of smartphones as vectors of mental illnesses and vehicles for their treatment
• 00:28:54 - What AI and LLMs change for mental health care
• 00:39:15 - How Hannes keeps his own mental health in check

What we also talked about with Hannes:

• Vaginismus
• Panic attacks
• ChatGPT
• Technical University of Munich
• Stanford University

As mentioned by Hannes during the episode, you can have a read at Exits & Outcomes, Second Opinion, and Healthtech Off The Record, three newsletters that provide in-depth insights and news about the healthtech business.

You can get in touch with Hannes via LinkedIn, and follow HelloBetter's activities on their website, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

This conversation is part of Impulse's exploration of how science, medicine, and technology are transforming mental healthcare.

If you want to give me feedback on the episode or suggest potential guests, contact me over LinkedIn or via email!

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