FaceMe creates mental health “coaches”

Having coined the term “cardiac coach”, Auckland-based FaceMe is now moving to develop an AI-propelled avatar tagged as “mental health coach”.

The firm’s strategy in targeting the global health coaching sector poses questions for CardieX CEO Craig Cooper and his InHealth Medical Services CEO colleague Aubrey Jenkins.

A key issue facing them is this: “Are we going to rely solely on human health coaches or are we going to supplement our coaches with a scalable fleet of virtual human health coaches?”

Cooper and Jenkins are smart operators and – Cooper especially - tech savvy. You’d think they’d see potential for virtual health coaching and the use of avatars to ramp brands such as “CardieX” and “TEAM”.

Cooper has tweeted that he’s visiting New Zealand in April.

As posted, I trust he’s arranged to hook up with fellow Kiwi, Danny Tomsett, CEO of FaceMe.

Assuming he has, Cooper will be learning about the FaceMe’s decision to link with depression sufferer and mental health advocate, Sir John Kirwan.

Kirwan says he’s assembling a world-class team of mental health professionals as well as creative and technical experts who will help him use Artificial Intelligence to “change the mental health game” across NZ and globally.

He’s partnering with FaceMe to “design personalised, AI-powered digital mental health ‘coaches’ who can be integrated into mental health care programs – a world-first. “

“For many people struggling with their mental health, going to see a specialist comes with fear of the unknown, anxiety or is difficult due to a lack of finances,” says Kirwan.

“In stark contrast, new research suggests that roughly 65% of people would not mind talking to an AI-powered Digital Human (avatar) about their mental health because they would never pass judgement.

“I know if I had my own personal digital mental health ‘coach’ and it had the knowledge I needed to help me get better, that’s a tool I would want to investigate.”

Kirwan and Danny Tomsett claims their health ‘coaches’ will understand their user’s needs and preferences and be able to give advice on problems such as sleep difficulties, anxiety, stress and dealing with conflict.

“They will provide information that can help anyone access a pathway to getting well again,” says Tomsett.

Kirwan: “We have a pandemic on our hands.

“Anxiety and stress are at an all-time high. We have to get ahead of the curve, not just in New Zealand, but globally as well.

“Together with FaceMe, we can change the game!”