How Does Divergence Help?
In Part 1 of this blog series I reviewed the external factors that have been weighing heavily on the mental health of individuals and our communities. In this article, I reflect on the work that Divergence has done in the past 12 months, our second year in existence, to improve access to mental health technologies.
What We've Done
Divergence has created a digital mental health platform that helps individuals by increasing resilience through guided neurofeedback training. Neurofeedback is a research-validated, non-invasive technology-based therapy that has been practiced to improve mental agility and reduce stress; it has been around for a number of decades now. The core methodology and content on our platform are developed by experts based upon decades of research and clinical experience. Our platform provides specific neurofeedback protocols in a highly accessible, cost-effective, and user-friendly manner.
“Recent studies indicate that neurofeedback is a sustainable and effective treatment for anxiety, impulsivity, inattention, and depression symptoms.” – Gregory, Jones, 2020
There has been compelling clinical evidence to support the efficacy of neurofeedback on these mental health challenges:
(Arns, M., Drinkenburg, W., & Kenemans, J. L. (2012). The effects of QEEG-informed neurofeedback in ADHD: An open-label pilot study.)
Our Work in 2022
In fiscal 2022, we have managed to increase our reach and impact among the mental health service professionals.
On the neurofeedback platform product side, we have delivered to our customers (therapists and coaches) the following new capabilities:
- Added the NeuroMeditation Institute (NMI) protocol package (7 protocols),
- Added monitoring and adjustment capabilities for remote live sessions,
- Revamped the therapist dashboard and loaded it with advanced insights,
- Revamped the client mobile app with personalized statistics and quick insights for users,
- Integrated with the BrainBit Headband and the BrainBit Flex cap to provide additional hardware options,
- Introduced video feedback content through integration with YouTube, and
- Significantly improved the signal quality for a better training experience.
On the research side, we have completed the design and started recruitment for the Gaming Addiction Research project with Peak Human, a Toronto clinic focusing on holistic wellness and health. We have also delivered the first phase of an EEG-based biomarker for research and clinical validation on ADHD and depression using machine learning modeling from publicly available datasets.
Across our achievements in platform development, research and therapist support, we see that the demand is rising for a service that introduces an evidence-based, personalized approach and for tools that help develop mental resilience for individuals in a time when it is most needed.
The trend on user engagement on our platform has grown to reflect this response to the product we are offering:
In September 2022, we launched our third product: The Divergence Employee Wellness Solution. This product focuses on providing tools for employees to increase resilience. We wanted to provide some relief for a large segment of the population that are grappling with stress, anxiety and depression leading to workplace burnout. The solution encompasses the core benefits of our neurotherapy platform, with expert-crafted protocols included such as Quiet Mind, Focus, Mindfulness, and Compassion; these can be deployed in any workplace or community environment to help people improve their mental resilience.
This expansion to our original mission of servicing the clinical market signifies our continued commitment to help people improve their mental health and wellness. As we scale, our impact will be providing more people with fewer barriers to training mental resilience. We look forward to working with health care providers, front-line workers, and other workplaces and communities to fine tune this solution and help more people build better resilience in the upcoming 12 months!
In addition, we have also planned a wider variety of new features in Q1 and Q2 of 2023 to upgrade both platforms. We continue to focus on ensuring that our customers continue to benefit from technology advances resilience in their communities in a way that is affordable, effective, and friendly.
What Can You Do?
If you are a mental health professional or care provider, please consider giving our platform a try to leverage remote neurofeedback therapy for your clients.
If you are an investor in the wellness or health space, please consider investing in us – we are currently raising our seed round.
If you are an organization with staff or are a community leader, please consider piloting our new Wellness Solution to help with reducing anxiety and improving mental resilience for groups.
We are constantly looking at ways to increase access and remove barriers to improve mental resilience and help people lead healthier and happier lives.
Despite all the challenges, looking back in the year of 2022, I feel deeply grateful that I can be privileged enough to be on this journey with some of the most amazing people I could have possibly asked to be working with.
I look forward to creating a lasting and meaningful change in the space of mental health with you.
– Alex Ni, Divergence CEO
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