Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Mental health applications have grown in popularity over the years, with more employers turning to such apps to help improve their employees’ mental well-being.
Your browser does not support iframes, but you can use the following link: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/how-do-mental-health-apps-work/embed" title="">Link</a><script>iFrameResize({ log: false }, '#iframe-field_embed_iframe-7692359')</script>
They typically offer online guides and mental health information and can link users up with a counsellor or coach, if needed.
But, just how useful are these apps? Who’s using the apps? And are they safe to use? To find out more, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Dr Oliver Suendermann, the clinical director of Intellect, a Singapore headquartered-company that has been growing speedily since it was founded in 2019. It has expanded into the region and now serves three million users.
Dr Suendermann, a permanent resident, sheds light on their users’ needs, what they offer - mostly coaches - and discusses what people can look out for before they use a mental health app.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:38 What’s typical in a mental health app?
Get a round-up of the top stories to start your day
Thank you!
Sign up
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and T&Cs.
5:30 The Intellect mental health platform is staffed by mostly coaches, not psychologists
13:28 Three things to look out for before using a mental health app
Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang and Eden Soh
Edited by: Eden Soh
Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ
Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv
SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/
Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
Read Joyce Teo’s stories: https://str.sg/JbxN
---
Discover more ST podcast channels:
In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt
Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7
Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN
Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf
Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m
ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE
#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad
Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX
Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
---
Special edition series:
True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T
The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2
Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn
Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB
Singapore’s War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa
---
Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!
Read the full story for $0.99/month Save more than 90% on your subscription and get over 500 subscriber-only articles every month.
ST All-Digital Package - Monthly $29.90 $0.99/month No contract
$0.99/month for the first 3 months, $29.90/month thereafter. T&Cs apply.
Subscribe now
Unlock these benefits Get subscriber-only articles on ST Web and app
Easy access on up to 4 devices
2-week e-paper archive to ensure you never miss out on news that matters to you
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
ST Podcasts Health Check Podcast Mental health
Facebook WhatsApp Twitter More Whatsapp Linkedin FB Messenger Telegram Reddit WeChat Pinterest Print Purchase Article Copy permalink https://str.sg/iTT4
Read this subscriber-only article for free!
Just sign up for a free account and log in to continue reading.
Health Check Podcast: How do mental health apps work?
Sign up
Already have an account? Log in.
All done! This article is now fully available for you
Health Check Podcast: How do mental health apps work?
Read now
Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full
Health Check Podcast: How do mental health apps work?
Resend verification e-mail
The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired.
Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months.
Subscribe now
You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month.
Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months.
Subscribe now
Read and win!
Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards
Let's go! Terms & conditions apply
Frequently asked questions
Good job, you've read 3 articles today!
Spin the wheel now
Let's go! Terms & conditions apply
Frequently asked questions