Psychologist app wins Optus grant
GOLD Coast innovator Dervla Loughnane hopes her invention will change the way people care for their mental health – and she has funding to help make it happen.
Her Virtual Psychologist application has been awarded a $72,000 grant after she pitched the idea to Optus through the telco’s Future Makers program.
The app seeks to remove barriers that prevent people from seeking traditional counselling, such as the fear of talking about issues face-to-face, by offering mental health services via text message.
Ms Loughnane pitched her plan to a panel of judges, who named her one of four winners who shared $300,000 between them.
She had earlier scored $10,000 to develop the technology ahead of her presentation to the judges.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be selected as one of the 2017 Optus Future Makers and be awarded $72,000,” Ms Loughnane said.
“The grant will be crucial in building our IT platform for Virtual Psychologist, developing online training for our staff and investing in social media so that we can promote our services to wider audiences.”
Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis said the initiative aimed to encourage innovation that made a positive social impact.
“We know how important technology is in helping young people, especially those living in disadvantage, to access information,” he said.
“Optus Future Makers aims to help close this digital divide with projects that (improve) the lives of vulnerable youth.”