Mental Health America and 'Happy' Partner to Offer Emotional Support from Home for Anyone Feeling Anxious or Alone from COVID-19

NEW YORK, April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For over two years, Mental Health America ("MHA") and Happy the App, Inc. ("Happy") have partnered to address the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation affecting the United States. This epidemic deficit of genuine and supportive human connection affects half the U.S. population and, according to the former Surgeon General, is deadlier than chain smoking.

To help address loneliness and accompanying anxiety at the roots, MHA refers users who take its mental health screens (https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools) – and who want to receive emotional support, over the phone, from an exceptionally compassionate peer – to Happy. In turn, Happy offers MHA's users – and now the general public – person-to-person emotional support, 24/7, from some of the most caring people in the country via Happy's mobile application. After a quick download, with the touch of a button on a smartphone or device, anyone can connect in seconds to one of Happy's Support Givers.

Happy's Support Givers, who include social workers, nurses, peer supporters and caregivers, are screened through a highly competitive vetting process that selects people who are exceptionally at providing emotional support. Happy's Support Givers must pass background checks and have to maintain high in-app ratings in order to remain active.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the country's awareness of the dangerous consequences of loneliness. "An epidemic of emotional unrest has reached every corner of American society," said Jeremy Fischbach, CEO & Founder of Happy. "If we want to contain the effects of this pandemic, we must also contain the resultant outbreak of loneliness and emotional distress. Now more than ever, social distancing is making many people feel alone and detached from their friends and family."

According to Theresa Nguyen, LCSW, MHA's Chief Program Officer, "Isolation can lead to loneliness and depression, and for individuals who are beginning to experience forced isolation because of COVID-19, it can be overwhelming, said Theresa. "It's now more important than ever to stay connected digitally and check in on your mental health — MHA is proud to partner with services like Happy that can help connect people to others who can listen and offer emotional support."

About Mental Health America: MHA is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. MHA's work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.

About Happy the App, Inc.: Happy is a supportive culture company dedicated to helping all individuals receive the emotional support they need to live a more joyful, healthy and productive life. Happy is an official partner of Mental Health America, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a national supporter of the American Heart Association's Support Network. Download Happy on the App Store or Google Play store or visit happythemovement.com. If you know someone else who may benefit from Happy, please share this information with them.

For more information contact:
Happy the App, Inc.
Jeremy Fischbach, CEO
Phone: (858) 367-3001‬
Email: [email protected]

Mental Health America
Theresa Nguyen, LCSW, MHA's Chief Program Officer
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Happy the App, Inc.