Health Tech of the Week: Mental Health and Well-being of the Youngest – Projects Recognized in 2024

Launched in 2023, the Health Tech of the Week series continues to grow, giving us deeper insights into exceptional startups and companies that are shaping the future of healthcare and preventive medicine by blending new technologies, innovation, and expertise in medicine and well-being. While there are countless areas where the broader medical field can benefit from new technologies, over the past months, my focus has been primarily on two key areas: mental health and the overall well-being of children. Let’s summarize these efforts.

One of the most remarkable events in this year’s series was the „Mother and Child Startup Challenge”. This is an initiative aimed at startups creating innovative solutions in the field of healthcare for women and children. Particular emphasis is placed on diagnostics, prevention, and treatment in pediatrics, as well as the broad spectrum of women’s health at all stages of life. This prestigious international competition, organized by the Polish Institute of Mother and Child in collaboration with hospitals and communicatively supported by the Come Creations Group agency, bridged the gap between state medical institutions and the private sector, creating a link between innovation and facilities genuinely in need of such support. The 2024 edition attracted 77 companies from across the globe!

The main prize was awarded to UES – Ultra Echo Scan, an innovative SaaS-based system supporting fetal and neonatal diagnostics. It enables the detection of congenital heart defects (CHD) during ultrasound examinations. The jury appreciated its scalability and low implementation cost, which have the potential to make it a global standard for neonatal screening. Meanwhile, the audience award went to neendu, a home monitoring system for newborn health, designed to detect early symptoms of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Both projects will be featured in-depth in our series through interviews with their creators.

Projects Supporting Child Development

Our focus on children’s well-being extended throughout the year. Previous editions of the series showcased projects like The Linghos – an app designed to improve speech therapy for children through games and educational activities, and GenMe Labs – offering genetic tests for parents, enabling them to respond earlier to their children’s needs based on insights from their genome.

One standout project, Calmsie, bridged the two themes I explored most frequently in 2024: enhancing mental health and supporting children. This innovative game allows children, who often struggle to express their difficult experiences or emotions, to solve tasks in a virtual world that supports their mental health and teaches healthy behaviors.

The Beginning of Necessary Changes

Raising awareness about mental health and providing easy access to quick psychiatric and psychological help, as well as mindfulness tools that can significantly improve well-being, is a trend that didn’t end last year – in fact, it’s becoming more prominent. Actively supporting mental health across all age groups, and especially reacting quickly and preventing serious conditions, should become the norm in our society, where we are often overworked, overstimulated, and lack the time to address our needs before the situation becomes critical.

Understanding this challenge, in 2024, the Health Tech of the Week series also highlighted companies like HearMe, Trzymsie, and Mindy. These projects aim to provide psychological support to those who truly need it, through accessible and straightforward online consultations. All three also collaborate with companies, integrating psychological care as a benefit for employees. This approach is gaining traction among employers who recognize the needs of their teams and understand that providing support positively impacts workplace atmosphere, employee health, and overall company performance. I predict that such services will soon become a standard among employers, alongside benefits like private healthcare or gym memberships.

What Does the Future Hold?

The Health Tech of the Week series in 2024 demonstrated the immense potential of combining new technologies, innovation, and a focus on the well-being of the youngest and their families. The projects recognized this year not only address pressing needs in modern society but also set the direction for the development of the medical and well-being sectors. Awareness of the importance of mental health and prevention is becoming increasingly widespread, and technological solutions are enabling their effective integration into everyday life.

I believe initiatives like those featured in the series will not only inspire others but also act as catalysts for positive change in healthcare systems worldwide. The coming months will bring new stories and exciting projects – so I invite you to continue following upcoming articles and actively submit projects and initiatives in the field of Health Tech.