From Rock Bottom to Resilience: The Inspirational Journey Behind the Better Stop Suicide App
Following his divorce, and children being taken to another country, Better Co-Founder Peter Grange hit rock bottom and attempted to take his own life. Luckily he didn't die. He went to see leading psychotherapist John Halker (the other Better Co-Founder), who helped him get better.
A couple of years later, the pair bumped into each other again, and started talking about the idea of making a free stop suicide app to help others with extreme mental health problems and suicidal thoughts. There must be an app for that
, said John. But there wasn't.
By combining John's 30+ years of experience in mental health with Peter's 20+ years experience running a digital advertising agency, called Oi, they designed the Better Stop Suicide app.
Over the course of the next year or so, working with a team of creatives and developers from Peter's agency, and John's global network of leading psychologists, psychotherapists and patients approved by IAPP, they designed, rigorously tested, and refined the Better Stop Suicide app.
The clear and simple benefit became immediately apparent - the app simply gives someone the opportunity to pause, should they ever find themselves thinking about ending their own life. In its trial period with 122 testers in different cultures around the English-speaking world, testament soon arrived from users clearly and unashamedly stating that the app had helped them, and already saved lives during its trial period. Features include being able to record a life-saving message to yourself, key contacts to call, a gratitude checklist, built-in alarm clock, calming audio files by leading mental health experts, an emotional needs check, and daily tasks to help people feel better.
Much of the work in this app is to calm and slow your mind, and to help you to use your thinking brain
, said John.
Better Stop Suicide App: A Global Beacon of Hope with Over 50,000 Lives Touched
Better Stop Suicide has been downloaded over 50,000 times by people around the world. It is proven to have saved lives, including an 11-year-old boy, and won a global digital health tech award at the end of 2019.
Whilst creating the Better Stop Suicide app, John and Peter reviewed the market for other apps, which may offer real help to people who want top take care of their mental and emotional health. They saw a gap, particularly in the lack of any app which may help someone assess their own wellbeing at the same time as educating them what their needs really are, and then offering real pragmatic help and support to develop their own tools to help themselves.
We wanted to make a mental health app, which firstly checked someone's emotional health and wellbeing, then tailored information, mindfulness, therapy and sleep audios all of which are proven ways to make life better,
said Peter.
The Better app was launched on the global app stores in April 2020, which proved timely considering the effects of global COVID-19 pandemic, and lockdowns, on peoples mental health.
Conclusion
It is a simple, but very powerful, mental health app that helps the user to gain a deeper understanding of their real emotional needs, to find out where those needs are being met, but, importantly, discover the ways in which they can better their resilience, wellbeing, health and happiness.
The app has a unique ‘Emotional needs check’ which asks 20 questions about the user’s mental and physical wellbeing. The app then gives you all the information you need to get better. Users may repeat the wellbeing check as often as they wish, so as to monitor progress.
Features include audios by leading mental health experts to strengthen your mind, quickly talking to three important people in your life, guided walking to encourage exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, calming breathing and sleep audios for quality sleep, plus there is quick-link access to find a qualified therapist, if needed. For a monthly or annual fee you also receive new mind and sleep audios every week.
Mental health charities from various corners of the globe receive 10% of profits from the app.
The Better App Company has also launched the world’s first white-label mental health app service, powered by the Better app. Organisations employing 500+ staff can now have their own-branded version of the Better app to give to their employees, and customers.
Other major developments for the Better app this year will include…
- Spanish, Italian and Chinese versions will be available on the local Apple and Google app stores.
- The Better Therapy Service, which gives instant access to qualified and licensed psychotherapists at any time will be launched within the Better app.
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Rules for better life
@ryan_holiday 9 short rules for a better life.
♬ Night Trouble - Petit Biscuit
Better life tips
1. Don't give in for instant gratification.
— UpSkillYourLife (@UpSkillYourLife) February 10, 2022
- Stop sacrificing what you want most for what you want right now.
- Dont get settled for things which give you momentary happiness like movies, social media.
- Set time for everything and work towards your goals.
