LonePack Buddy - Introducing a free, peer support chat app
This month’s newsletter covers the release of our new app!
Importance of conversation in mental health
In recent years mental health has started receiving a lot more attention, and rightfully so. Various forums and public figures have driven meaningful conversation and dialogue on mental health. However, the deep-rooted stigma surrounding the issue makes it still difficult for people struggling with their mental health to seek help. Professional help in particular is often inaccessible to many due to financial challenges or even due to the various misconceptions surrounding it. It was then that we, at LonePack, realized the need for an accessible and reliable service to bridge the gap between professional mental healthcare and the general public.
Hence, we designed LonePack Buddy - a free peer mental health support service designed to provide immediate social and psychological support to people while also providing verified resources to seek professional care. Run by trained peer volunteers, Buddy provides a safe space for everyone to talk about anything on their mind, completely free of cost. Since the launch of Buddy as a website in May’20, we’ve received an overwhelming response from our audience.
We’ve launched an app!
So, we’re taking it a step further. We’ve officially launched our very own LonePack Buddy app on the Google Play Store. You can find our launch post on Product Hunt by Sharath, a popular hunter on the site.
With reliable peer support, access to first person accounts of mental health journeys and listings of verified mental health professionals, the LonePack Buddy app has all your mental health resources in one place. All of this is available on-the-go, fast and completely free of cost.
If you like what you see, help us reach more people by spreading the word. Review the app on Play Store/Product Hunt and share this video with your friends and family! Also, check out our testimonial wall aka wall of positivity for Buddy!
Start the conversation about your mental health
Talking about your mental health can be difficult as it is deeply personal and you might find yourself at a loss for words to describe and confidently talk about your situation. Here are five tips to help you take that first step.
Find your support systems: Identify the resources in your life that you can count on and make an effort to establish a mutually beneficial relationship.
Break internalized stigma: No one cares about us as much as ourselves and in the process high standards and engage in cognitive distortions. Break this vicious cycle.
Be kind and patient: With yourself as much as the care-provider.
Prepare a script: No joke. Jotting down the points you want to discuss is a great practice, especially when the topic is as important as your mental health.
Finding the right fit: You may not find the right therapist, listener or support app for you on the first try. Don't let it stop you from continuing on your journey of mental wellbeing.
Lots of Love
LonePack