United We Care Introduces Cognitive AI Coach ‘Stella 2.0’ for Mental Health Support

The virtual coach strives to bridge the gap between technology and personalised, empathetic mental health support.

In a move towards mental health support, United We Care (UWC), a mental health startup, has introduced Stella 2.0, a virtual global wellness coach which represents a significant shift from Generative AI to Cognitive AI.

This innovation aims to address the escalating global mental health crisis and promises to introduce noteworthy advancements to the Indian AI and Deep Tech landscape.

United We Care, founded in 2020 by Shumita, Ritu, and Sourav, is a mental health startup that offers AI-powered holistic mental health Solutions.

What Does Stella 2.0 Entail

As per the startup, Stella 2.0 has the ability to interact in over 20 languages, detect around 40 human emotions, and exhibit world-class intent detection with over 94% efficacy.

The primary goal is to enhance the accessibility and affordability of mental health support for millions of individuals in India. By engaging users on a deeper level, Stella 2.0 claims to ensure cost-effectiveness, alleviating financial burdens on healthcare systems, caregivers, enterprises, and individuals.

Talking about this initiative, Ravi Kikan, CMO of United We Care, said, "This transformative virtual coach not only marks a significant advancement in accessibility and affordability but also paves the way for a future where cutting-edge AI meets the critical needs of mental well-being across various stakeholders."

The startup claims that Stella 2.0 has undergone testing with over 30 billion parameters. Its impact extends beyond technology to address key metrics of mental well-being.

UWC reports a 5X increase in engagement compared to traditional Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) adoption rates, indicating the effectiveness of the virtual coach in connecting with users.

Stella 2.0 is complemented by a team of over 100 mental health professionals, including psychologists, therapists, and counsellors. With this, the startup promises that users receive expert guidance and support with a human touch, creating a holistic approach to mental healthcare.

The virtual coach strives to bridge the gap between technology and personalised, empathetic mental health support. The virtual coach achieves clinical diagnoses, claiming to provide users with accurate and reliable assessments.

Ravi Kikan further added, saying, "The journey ahead promises innovation, empathy, and a holistic approach to shaping the future of mental healthcare."

With the combination of cutting-edge technology and a human-centric approach, Stella 2.0 promises to position itself as a noteworthy player in the evolving landscape of mental healthcare.

Rising Trend of Mental Health Offerings

In a similar development, Bengaluru-based BramhAnsh Technologies introduced Soonyam. This wearable biofeedback device offers real-time insights into psychological arousal, stress levels, and mental effort by utilising the galvanic skin response (GSR) method.

A rising number of startups are focusing on mental health to address the increasing global challenge of well-being. These ventures not only tackle pressing mental health issues but also secure funding, highlighting the growing significance of mental health in the public consciousness.

Last month, BetterSpace, a health tech startup offering psychologist-led counselling, workshops, community engagement programs, and other initiatives to solve numerous existing mental health challenges, secured an INR 4.5 million in its maiden Pre-Seed funding round.

Similarly, mental health platform LISSUN raised $1,3 million in a Seed Funding round to expand its mental health services and establish partnerships with healthcare institutions and other organisations.