App created to talk about mental health
Published:Friday | March 7, 2025 | 12:07 AMMickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer
Mental health is a crisis that affects people from all spheres of life, but many endure it under different circumstances such as premarital, marital, individual, teen, bereavement, financial, nutritional, and business dilemmas.
According to the World Health Organization, one in four people globally will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. In Jamaica, three per cent of the population lives with a depressive disorder while 4.1 per cent struggles with anxiety, with women being at higher risk for both conditions.
The financial burden is equally concerning, with mental illness projected to cost Jamaica US$2.76 billion in lost economic productivity between 2015 and 2030, ranking it as the second most financially draining non-communicable disease after cardiovascular disease.
Reverend Dr Courtney Faulknor is seeking to fix these problems as mental health continues to grow into a major issue in Jamaica and around the world. His efforts have led to the launch of his app, Talk About It, a faith-based counselling platform designed to break barriers in mental health support by allowing people to connect with trained professionals in real time.
WHOLE NEW WORLD
Being one of Jamaica’s first therapy and mental health apps, the vision and mission for the platform, according to Faulknor, is simple: “To create a world where no one has to suffer alone.”
The platform operates on six core principles: convenience, confidentiality, cost-effectiveness, certified counsellors and pastors, Christian values, and community service.
Faulknor first thought of the app in 2021 when he had just undergone surgery.
“I went through a very challenging illness. It was in my post-recovery situation where I believed that persons who really go through challenging times should have access and a support system, which was important to me, and I realised that there are a lot of persons who don’t have the support system I have. I wanted to do something.”
But realising that there were few, if any, online intervention platforms that existed, locally or globally, that allow individuals to engage with professional therapists easily, he knew he had to change that.
Faulknor doesn’t doubt the challenging times that persons are living in today.
“People are simply struggling to live, struggling with their mental health issues, struggling with addictions, struggling in their relationships, struggling in their faith and just struggling to exist in life,” he said. “But the most difficult part is that most persons struggle inside.”
Over his approximately 30-year career as a pastor, law enforcement chaplain, and counsellor, Faulknor said he has witnessed the many burdens a person carries that are often too hard to bear.
“We’re here to change the narrative, to bring help, to bring hope, healing to people right where they are, right in the palm of their hands.”
Many people struggle with being honest with themselves and being open about what they are going through. Often, how a person appears on the outside is not how they feel on the inside, and this is something Faulknor implores Jamaicans to be aware of.
The app will also provide free counselling and emotional support and prayer sessions for person whose spouses or partners have been diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer. This initiative will be called ‘Be strong for them. Be weak to us’.
CREATING A MOVEMENT
Speaking during the launch of the app on Tuesday, Christopher Bedward, the app designer, said the platform will provide people with a service that is necessary in today’s society as well as create a movement.
“Talk About It is a safe space, a guiding light, and a supportive community where people can seek counselling and support with ease and confidentiality,” Bedward said.
The app will provide users with secure video calls, private chats, and access to licensed professionals such as counsellors, therapists, nutritionists, and more. Additionally, the app houses a variety of in-app communication channels.
Unlike services that rely on external meeting apps like Zoom, everything happens right within Talk About It. This makes the process smoother and more secure, Faulknor noted.
Bedward further emphasised the importance of security, which he said the app provides through end-to-end encryption.
“Your privacy is our top priority. With the latest security technology and encryption methods to safeguard every conversation, you can trust that your sessions remain completely secure.”
Beyond providing mental health counselling, the app also caters for people who have nutritional and financial concerns through partnerships with CEO of Healthy Just Feels Right, Dr Shan Jackson, who provides nutritionists and sponsors such as Orion Brokers Insurance Ltd, as these issues are usually the main factors that contribute to poor mental health and well-being.
“We understand that there are different mental health challenges that can make someone unstable. It could be a health matter in terms of their diet and it could be that of the financial position. [These] are major contributors to emotional struggles. We are contemplating also looking at a medical talk. It’s holistic vision that we have.”
IN FULL SUPPORT
The keynote speaker at the event was Rory White, CEO of 7Krave, a successful delivery business located across the island and currently supported by approximately 600,000 Jamaicans.
White said when Faulknor came to him with the idea, he was amazed and in full support of it.
“He came and said he was inspired by me, that he wanted to launch his app and bring it to reality. We spoke about it and I was sold on the vision and what he wanted to achieve and do for Jamaica.”
White also offered a word of encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs who often doubt their vision and hesitate to go through with the process.
“The hardest thing is to start. Once you start, you’ve made one step, and I guarantee you will reach it,” said White
Speaking of starting, Faulknor recalled that the biggest difficulty was developing the app. It was no easy feat as there were many financial constraints that hindered him.
“It was an expensive venture. Financial support was critical, what with my personal resources, but with the stakeholders I was able to complete the process. My family is the background of the venture. My daughter was a full-time student, so we had to work at odd hours in the morning and long weekends. But thankfully, with God, we are able to be here, and it’s a major achievement.”
Faulknor also emphasised the unique features that set his app apart from others.
“All our therapists are fully licensed. There are many people who practise, but they do it out of love with the belief that they can [do it].”
Jamaica can begin to take a step in the direction of breaking stigmas around mental health issues, making it more accessible through the app and providing people with a way to release their stress and confide in someone from just the palm of their hands.
Said Faulknor: “If you simply care about each other, share this vision and help us to reach those who are in need. Healing begins with a conversation. Let’s start talking, let’s start listening, and let’s create a world where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported.”
Meanwhile, the Talk About It app is now available in app stores for download, and the team encourages people to use the app and spread the word so that many Jamaicans who are struggling can find solace.