7 Cups Wins Stanford Medicine X Prize for Health Care Systems Design
(PRWEB) October 05, 2016 -- 7 Cups (http://www.7cups.com), an on-demand emotional health and wellbeing service, is excited to announce that they have won the Stanford Medicine X Prize for Health Care Systems Design.
Drawing on the best traditions of Stanford University, Medicine X is a technology conference that acts as a catalyst for new ideas about the future of medicine and health care. The “X” is meant to encourage thinking beyond the numbers and trends-- it’s the infinite possibilities for current and future information technologies to improve health.
The awards are judged by the Stanford Medicine X Council of Health Care Designers. Submissions were judged based on evidence of need, impact, potential, and patient- or user-centered design. The committee indicated that 7 Cups won because of their simple elegant design that extends access to mental health care at no cost and that has the potential to make a huge impact.
“Winning this award means a lot to our community,” says Glen Moriarty, PsyD and founder of 7 Cups. “We can point to our peer-reviewed research, metrics, and institutions like MIT that use 7 Cups, but having Stanford Medicine X recognize the work we do is remarkable. It shows that experts in design, healthcare, and technology understand we are moving towards a world where we define healthcare more broadly. Our technology brings together volunteer listeners with mental health professionals. I think in 3-5 years, we'll look back and wonder how we ever functioned without this type of coordinated care. We can do great work when we align and work together!”
7 Cups was founded in June 2013 as the emotional support system of the internet. The program provides the ability to support anyone, anywhere, regardless of language, background, or financial resources. Through the app and website, users seek help, feel understood, and even sign up to be active listeners. At present, 7 Cups has 160,000 listeners in 189 countries providing support in 140 languages. There are also counselors and therapists on the platform for when a user needs more support or wants to participate in online therapy or online counseling. This two-tiered system which integrates peer support and health care professionals dramatically extends health care at a low cost. Helping 800,000 people a month, 7 Cups core innovation is empowering peers and using smart technology to expand global access to behavioral health care.
The platform has three main goals:
1. Free
2. Convenient
3. Anonymous
Free is important because cost, no matter how low, is a barrier. Convenience is critical because much of mental health can be delivered digitally, but is still conducted in physical office settings. Anonymity is important because it is the best way to overcome stigma-- especially because we know that approximately half of the people that need mental health services do not get it because they are afraid of being judged.
7 Cups also provides evidence-based treatment protocols for 31 different mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, substance use, and stress. People seeking help can chat with listeners, therapists, or work through self-guided treatment plans 7 Cups calls growth paths. The service is available 24/7 via the app (both iPhone and Android), or desktop use, eliminating any struggle with insurance or a long wait list for a therapist.
For more information please visit the websites of 7 Cups (http://www.7cups.com) and Stanford Medicine X website, or email sarah(at)sarahrosepr(dot)com.
Sarah Attman, 7 Cups, http://www.7cups.com, +1 410.935.1940, [email protected]
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