Mental health is a very delicate aspect of human life, one which Africans generally pay little attention. The overly religious attitude coupled with the lack of medical personnel and facilities are the major reasons why Africa is home to a high number of people who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses.
In fact, a study in 2017 by the World Health Organization reports that Nigeria, Africa’s largest country by population, houses over 50 million mentally ill patients. The country has just 8 federal neuropsychiatric hospitals, and 75% of people in need of mental healthcare lack access.
Nguvu Health, a teletherapy platform that provides Nigerians in need of mental healthcare access to top psychologists, has announced a strategic partnership with AXA Mansard to provide affordable mental healthcare to Africans.
The partnership, which was struck in commemoration of this year’s World Mental Health Day (WMHD) will see both companies jointly strive towards their aim of improving access to quality healthcare for Africans for the next two years.
Throughout the 2-year partnership timeline, AXA Mansard’s corporate clients and stakeholders will be granted quarterly discounted wellness sessions and a mental health audit. For AXA Mansard’s users, Nguvu Health will provide discounts for different therapy types and 15% off couple and support group therapy.
“This partnership is a big win for the health sector as it will explore the drivers and impact of mental health issues in society in an inclusive manner,” said Juliet Odumosu, co-founder and CMO of Nguvu Health.
“This will happen by exploring practices that help users – individual and corporate – both slow down and speed up—in ways that complement each other—so as to help shift the paradigm from stress and survival to excitement and vitality,” she added.
Joshua Koya, co-founder, and CEO of Nguvu Health, also commented on the development, saying: “According to a Deloitte global survey, 64% of employees are frustrated, which leads to a decline in productivity. This survey result is a reflection of many workplaces globally, especially in Africa where the numbers are amplified due to the tough work environments.”
“This partnership holds special promise for the corporate industry and offers a particular benefit for the healthcare sector, particularly the mental health space by addressing difficulties and disorders created or exacerbated by work, such as stress and burnout,” Koya added.
Launched in 2021, Nguvu Health has always been a strong advocate for mental healthcare accessibility. The startup currently has over 10,000 users and plans to raise that number to 5000 by the end of the year.
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