Creator launches app to help more people talk about mental illness
For those who shy away from talking to a friend, or even a doctor, about mental health issues, a new Calgary-developed phone app is aiming to make it easier.
FOVEOCARE is a social network that gives people struggling with mental health issues a safe, anonymous place to chat. People can express themselves through notes, drawing and audio recordings, among a group that is experiencing the same stresses and challenges.
“It’s less intimidating because the user chooses how to engage with the app and not the other way around,” said founder Daman Parmar.
The app allows users to select from a number of categories such as abuse, addiction, sexuality and religion, to best find other people in a similar situation.
Parmar said he wanted to create an app that was free and accessible to Calgarians, considering a large number of people dealing with depression do not seek professional help.
“The biggest barrier is the stigma attached to it,” said Parmar. “People are afraid of what other people are going to say.”
Since the app launched last week, Parmar said he’s seen engagement from users not only in Canada, but also from the U.S., Mexico, India and more.
The app is currently available on Android devices, but he hopes to release an iPhone version in the coming weeks.
For more information visit www.foveocare.com.