In a world where mental health often takes a back seat, finding an organization that not only acknowledges its critical importance but also excels in providing holistic support can be a game-changer. Among the gems in the mental health landscape, BetterLYF emerges as the epitome of empathy and understanding.
The wellness platform offered by BetterLYF serves as a guiding light for individuals navigating the complexities of stress and anxiety within the intricate fabric of their personal and professional lives. In a tech-driven world where many platforms depend on AI support, BetterLYF prioritizes personal connections. They believe that urging people to share their life challenges with a bot would be a disservice.
Varun Handa, as the Director and Co-founder of BetterLYF, is instrumental in managing and growing the organization. He is actively engaged in overseeing the day-to-day operations and driving the organization’s growth.
Our interview with Varun reveals their distinctive approach, highlighting how they stand out and make a real impact on mental health journeys.
Kindly tell us the source of inspiration. What led you to venturing into the mental health sector?
Me & Vikram met at ISB in 2011 and have been sharing our success and struggles ever since. In 2015, while we were sharing our personal and professional challenges, a realization dawned upon Vikram – there is almost negligible access to professional help beyond friends & family when in need. Motivated by this insight, we both embarked on a journey to delve deeper into the challenges surrounding mental health. Our exploration led us to engage with psychologists in the National Capital Region (NCR), where we uncovered a pervasive issue – the combination of limited awareness and persistent stigma hindered individuals in their quest to connect with high-quality therapists.
Vikram took the helm and, in 2016 established BetterLYF. The primary objective was to contribute to the creation of a happier and healthier world by dismantling the societal taboo surrounding mental wellness. BetterLYF aimed to achieve this through innovative online therapy and counseling services, thereby providing accessible and stigma-free mental health support.
Can you elaborate upon the core values on which company is built and what is the mission of the company?
From the outset, our mission has been crystal clear. Understanding the formidable challenge individuals face in committing to therapy, we acknowledged that a subpar experience could deter them from seeking help again. Thus, our primary goal has been to establish a robust foundation, and to achieve this, we invested significant time and effort in the meticulous training, support, and supervision of our therapists.
At BetterLYF, we recognized the importance of curating the right team, fostering a conducive environment, investing in L&D, and implementing robust processes to consistently deliver confidential, high-quality therapy.
Brief us about the company and shed some light on its operations to provide mental health service to the patients.
Initially, our focus primarily centered on catering to the needs of individuals aged 18 to 45 who sought assistance. Through these interactions, we discovered that personal challenges were permeating into professional spheres, impacting various aspects of life.
As the landscape of mental health services evolved, particularly with increased adoption within organizations, therapy became more accessible and gradually shed its stigma. Corporate engagement initially began with requests for webinars and workshops, eventually maturing into the integration of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) as corporations recognized their potential to foster employee well-being. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment, with corporations throughout India turning to BetterLYF for comprehensive support.
Today, BetterLYF stands as a testament to its expertise, boasting a track record of over three lakh individual therapy sessions and the successful implementation of Employee Assistance Programs in more than 100 companies. Notably, BetterLYF has earned the distinction of being the most highly rated platform on social media in the country, garnering over 300 responses and affirming its impact on the mental wellness landscape.
In what ways does the company’s services help the patient population in resolving their psychological and emotional needs? Tell us about the process of delivering mental health services at the company.
At BetterLYF, we recognized the imperative to establish diverse touch-points for our clients, facilitating the initiation of their mental wellness journey from a space of comfort. Our approach revolves around three pivotal aspects: assessment, awareness, and support.
Our commitment to creating awareness is evident in the production of high-quality educational content, disseminated through social media channels and our website. Uniquely, all our content, including articles address not only prevalent issues but also emerging concerns, is meticulously crafted in-house.
For those seeking personalized assistance, BetterLYF provides free consultations. This service is particularly crucial in the Indian context, serving as a vital support tool for new clients navigating the landscape of therapy.
What psychological tools/therapies does the company find to be essential in conducting mental health treatment?
At BetterLYF, we firmly reject a one-size-fits-all approach, recognizing the unique and diverse needs of individuals seeking support. We believe in continual growth, where the educational expertise and experiences of our counselors are not only valued individually but also shared collectively for mutual enrichment.
Our counselors are adept in employing a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), mindfulness techniques, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapies, family systems, narrative therapy, and more. These diverse techniques and skills, utilized either individually or in combination by our experts, are tailored to the specific needs of each client.
What endeavors is the company currently pursuing to improve its mental health measures for people?
Inspired by the success of leading physical wellness initiatives, we dedicated our time and resources to create a community-based program focused on imparting skills and tools for cultivating happiness and maintaining grounded in life. Our aim was to offer therapeutic interventions without attaching the formal label of counseling.
Introducing our latest offering, the 14-day Happiness Program. This self-reflective, evidence-based program is designed to catalyze a shift in perspective regarding the concept of happiness.
What advice would you like to give to the budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who desire to venture into the mental health sector?
We advocate for young therapists and organizations to actively seek professional support, such as supervision and reviews. Continuous investment in learning is paramount to ensure competence and efficacy in addressing the noble cause of mental wellness that we have collectively embarked upon. By fostering a commitment to ongoing education and seeking guidance, we can collectively elevate the standards of mental health care in India.
How do you envision scaling your organization’s services and operations in 2023 and beyond?
Recognizing the significant role that culture and religion play in therapy interventions in India, we strive to offer more tailored and culturally sensitive assistance. To fortify our capabilities, we are in the process of expanding our supervisory and Learning & Development (L&D) team. This expansion is geared towards providing essential support not only to our existing team but also to the influx of young therapists entering the mainstream. By bolstering our resources in this manner, we aim to ensure a robust foundation for our mission and further enrich the quality of support we provide to our users.
What are some of the testimonials or recognition that accurately highlight your organization’s position in the market?
Corporate Testimonials:
https://www.betterlyf.com/corporate-wellness
B2C Testimonials:
https://g.page/r/CcKHHyxA7KcUEB0/review
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