Woebot Health, known for its AI-driven mental health chatbot, has entered a three-year partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital, a nonprofit pediatric healthcare system based in Ohio. This collaboration aims to provide targeted mental health support for adolescents aged 13 to 17.
The Woebot platform, designed as a nonprescription digital mental health tool, offers resources tailored to teenagers. These include content on media literacy, bullying, body image, and psychoeducation.
Starting in October, Akron Children’s clinicians in three underserved rural communities will be able to recommend Woebot to patients displaying signs of depression or anxiety during their annual check-ups. The use of Woebot will complement existing therapeutic approaches.
In the future, Woebot’s platform will be accessible across Akron Children’s 44 primary care pediatric facilities.
Dr. Eva Szigethy, Director of Behavioral Health and Lois C. Orr Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry at Akron Children’s, highlighted the urgent need for this initiative. “We’ve observed a significant mental health crisis among over a quarter of our adolescent patients. Rural areas are particularly affected, struggling with a shortage of qualified behavioral health providers and limited resources, which increases the risk of adverse health outcomes,” Szigethy said. “We selected Woebot for its innovative approach tailored specifically for teens, which integrates seamlessly into our existing patient care models and enhances our new care strategies. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Woebot Health to provide a groundbreaking solution that improves access to mental health support.”
The Broader Context
In the past year, Woebot Health has expanded its reach through various partnerships. Notably, it teamed up with Virtua Health, a New Jersey-based hybrid-care provider, to offer Woebot for Adults to its primary care patients, including those on waiting lists or using it alongside in-person therapy.
Additionally, Woebot has collaborated with PayrollPlans, a digital payroll software provider, and Curai Health, an AI-driven virtual healthcare clinic, to offer a comprehensive virtual benefit solution for small- and medium-sized businesses.
Similarly, Wysa, another company in the AI mental health chatbot space, provides a platform that guides users through cognitive behavioral therapy for issues like low mood, stress, and anxiety. Wysa’s services include a self-care library and optional access to human coaches, further supporting users’ mental health needs.
Related topics:
