Alison R.
Panda health for learners at a Business School
Panda health has created a disruptive, proactive, accessible and useful service in a space where there is high and critical need, that can be met by leveraging the latest in technical expertise to do it. They are certainly disrupting the way things are done in the mental wellbeing space where traditional supports are not able to meet the need. In South Africa, for every 100 000 South Africans, there is one clinical psychologist. We, and many nations around the world, need a new approach, to supplement where deep, professional human support, is so needed but in such short supply. Panda is providing this, with not only an innovative business model, but clear social impact. They do this by tackling one of the largest issues of our time- in mental illness challenges to individuals and to communities and organizations by matching people with specific needs to a provider who specifically can provide support . This puts the individual at the centre of their solution, in a proactive way that can prevent crisis , rather than supporting someone, post-crisis. Their model is to connect producers and consumers in a useful way, serving the needs of individuals, but also corporates. Engagement on the app drives the generation of data and insights, which equips them , and their corporate customers to better support their individuals. They do both by leveraging AI. There is no doubt that AI is at the forefront of many conversations and of our collective minds. Of course this generates both excitement at the possibility of scaling services like mental wellness support and making it accessible to those who don’t have access; as well as of course concerns around both the technical and the ethical risks. Panda has demonstrated that its about adding value where its badly needed. They have also remained open to the key debates, concerns and the discussions that must happen, to safeguard against ethical and professional concerns. They have ensured that their team is well rounded with both clinical psychology as well as technical expertise and the way they have openly engaged with us as a Business School and as an academic institution leaves us feeling like we’re in good hands.