Unidays and Entrepreneur First roll out AI mental health checks

UNiDAYS Entrepreneur First mental healthUnidays and Entrepreneur First have rolled out artificial intelligence (AI) powered mental health checks to their staff, students and to better understand and support mental health.

Launched to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October), the mental wellbeing check was created by UK startup Thymia. Entrepreneur First, Syndi and Preventx have rolled out the technology to their staff, while Unidays has given its more than 28 million students access.

Users complete a 30 second-reading voice recording, which the tool analyses to give a mental health status overview. Employers then receive a mental wellbeing pulse report with summary scores for their workforce’s stress, burnout, tiredness, distress and confidence levels.

According to Thymia, it designed the tool to help employees better understand their wellbeing and spot changes in their mental health over time, so they can seek support through their employer or health provider if required.

Jonny Clifford, general manager for London at Entrepreneur First, said: “This World Mental Health Day, we’re proud to be partnering with Thymia to provide AI-driven mental wellness checks to our founders in residence and employees. We’re delighted to be on the front lines of this initiative, leveraging AI technology to make a real impact on mental health.”

Alex Smith, head of wellbeing, earning and learning at Unidays, added: “This initiative goes beyond borders, and it’s a testament to our shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of students everywhere. Together, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that no student feels alone on their journey to mental wellbeing.”

Dr Emilia Molimpakis, neuroscientist, and chief executive officer and co-founder at Thymia, said: “Employers have a responsibility to pay closer attention to the mental health of their employees. By making mental health more easily measurable, and supporting employers to invest in the right interventions, we hope to improve mental health outcomes and reduce stigma surrounding mental health at work.”