Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington, with the support of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network, hosted a launch event on December 13, 2019 for Woebot, an innovative digital health solution to help residents take charge of their mental health.
Woebot is an artificially intelligent chatbot delivered through a smartphone app that helps individuals monitor their mood and learn about themselves. It uses evidence-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques to equip users with the tools they need and has been shown to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression in just two weeks.
“We are very excited to be able to offer support to individuals with mild-to-moderate depression through a mobile app that will be free for them to use,” said Joanne Young Evans, Executive Director of Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington. “We anticipate many individuals will benefit from this guided self-help, cognitive behavior therapy chatbot.”
MPP Mike Schreiner, Mayor Cam Guthrie, Councillor Mary Lloyd, and representatives from the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network and Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington were on hand for the announcement.
Anyone can download the app for free at https://woebot.page.link/ontario. Woebot is not a therapist and is not intended to replace in-person treatment. It is a tool to use alongside therapy sessions and post therapy support.
