Daily reminder encourages active participation in recovery

BuddyApp is a health and wellbeing app that utilises SMS text technology to engage individuals in their care, by recording their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing in-between sessions, by sending appointment reminders and goals.

Originally designed in collaboration with the NHS, BuddyApp specifically targeted mental health, and mood and anxiety disorders. Now, it’s been utilised across a variety of services, including Adult Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Therapy, Deaf Mental Health Services, Perinatal Mental Health, Substance Misuse and Older Adult care, including dementia.

Users are sent a daily text, which prompts them to reflect on their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. These responses are uploaded to a web portal, which is shared with their health professional. This system encourages users to become active participants in their own recovery, and allows them to conduct live text or video chat sessions with their clinician.

Since its launch a recent study showed a dramatic reduction in Did Not Attend (DNA) sessions, saving the NHS both time and money, as well as reducing waiting time lists. Users were more engaged in their treatment, with 94% completing their treatment, compared to 40% who did not use the BuddyApp.