Australian mental health startup launches app

Australian psychological health startup Give Me 5 (GM5) announced on Thursday that it has entered the Indian market with an initial investment of AUD 5 million and the launch of the GM5 Beta App, choosing Hyderabad as the pilot city.

Developed and tested by expert psychologists, the app aims to provide a confidential, secure and user-friendly platform for individuals to explore emotional health. The company has adopted an impact-at-scale approach, planning to initially include 500 users who will have free access during the beta phase.

The app’s features include a customized survey tool that screens for users’ psychological needs based on their personal goals, one-touch SOS contacts for emergencies, end-to-end encryption, plain-language guidance, and a wellness safety plan that serves as a personal support guide. Additionally, the app offers 24/7 offline access to the user-defined support network.

Speaking about the launch, founder and CEO Lisa Fahey said: “Many Indian families want to support each other emotionally but don’t always know where to start. Today, India has only 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.7 psychologists per 100,000 population. Emotional challenges for most individuals and families are faced with silence or denial, not because they don’t care, but because help is inaccessible. This app offers them a stigma-free way to check in and feel quietly supported.”