Wazi

Wazi is a pioneer for digital mental health for Africa. Wazi provides personalized solutions for mental wellness. Wazi's platform connects users in emerging markets with local professional therapists based in Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria. Wazi also works with NGOs and government bodies by white-labeling our technology to provide affordable and accessible mental health care for everyone.

Mental Health: A Personal Challenge

Mental health is an area that everyone can either point to someone or has personally struggled with, or is currently struggling with. That's been true for me at every front.

From very early on, it was obvious that too many friends/family would struggle with mental health and it was devastating seeing how much these challenges would cripple amazing, hardworking, good-natured people. And even more frustrating that even after the right help was found, the secondary problem was making sure that help was available consistently. Could you see your therapist on-time and frequently even as you travelled? Did your work/schedule allow for you to commute to see them?

When Alex & I met and we began talking about this problem, it was very clear that both of us had different histories of challenges with mental health support but we both had a shared interest in wanting to do something about it.

Fortunately, we knew how to build products & technology.

Mental Health: A Global Challenge

Mental health conditions are escalating globally, presenting a significant challenge to healthcare systems and societies at large. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents are affected by mental health conditions, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. Mental health conditions now account for 1 in 5 years lived with disability. These staggering figures underscore the pressing need for improved mental health care and support globally.

Zooming in on Africa, the situation mirrors the global trend, with mental health conditions becoming increasingly prevalent. However, the resources to tackle these issues are significantly lacking. In Kenya, the problem is particularly acute. Official data reveals that as of 2015, there were only 92 psychiatrists in the country, a fraction of the 1,533 required, and just 327 psychiatric nurses instead of the needed 7,666. This disparity results in only one psychologist for every 4.6 million Kenyans, a shocking number considering the recommended ratio is one psychologist for every 15,000 people. This severe shortage of mental health professionals, combined with the significant stigma attached to mental health issues in Kenya, creates substantial barriers to accessing care and support.

These statistics paint a concerning picture of mental health care from a global perspective down to specific regions like Africa and countries like Kenya. They highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions and interventions to bridge the gap in mental health care, especially in areas where resources are most scarce.

The Genesis of Wazi

Wazi, a digital mental health platform, was born from a shared vision to improve mental health care in Africa. The name 'Wazi,' meaning 'Open' or 'Transparent' in Swahili, reflects the founders' commitment to creating open conversations about mental health. Alex Royea and I, both with strong backgrounds in technology and product development, met in Nairobi and quickly realized our mutual frustration with the inadequate state of mental health support in the region.

In late 2018, we launched Wazi with the ambition to leverage technology to make mental health care more accessible and destigmatize seeking help.

The app, which began with chatbot functionality on Facebook Messenger and Telegram, has evolved to a web app with a professional network of therapists and across Africa - based in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, with anonymity and accessibility for users.

Wazi marked a significant step toward addressing the substantial gap in mental health services in Kenya and beyond.

The Collaborative Effort Behind Wazi

The development of Wazi has been a collaborative journey, involving a diverse group of individuals, including friends, family, and the dedicated Wazi team.

This collective effort has been pivotal in shaping Wazi into a platform that effectively bridges the gap between mental health professionals and those in need of their services. This collaborative spirit has been instrumental in Wazi's growth and success.

Wazi’s Technological Framework

Wazi's technological framework is the backbone of its services, enabling users to access mental health care discreetly and conveniently. The platform allows users to create anonymous accounts, find and book local therapists, and conduct secure video and audio calls. This technological infrastructure makes mental health care more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly, particularly in the African context where such resources are often scarce.

I built the initial MVP while Alex focused on product management of it - it started off as a peer-to-peer service on a chatbot, and over time evolved in the web app. Between those phases we launched:

Mental health screeners like PHQ9 & GAD7
Booking a therapist
- on chatbots & on web
Mobile payments; later supporting card payments
We built private phone-call sessions:
- During a session, a therapist & client would be sent a phone number that wasn't either one's and they'd be able to speak via phone call by calling that number. Once the session was over, calling that number wouldn't go through to anyone.
- It avoided anyone on the app needing to share their private phone number with anyone else on the app to have a session
Audio & Video calls

Over time we were able to white-label the technology and offer it to organisations.

The technology is continually evolving to meet the diverse needs of its user base, including plans for expansion and addressing technical challenges.

Building Wazi Product: Human-Centered Design at Wazi

Wazi's product development is deeply rooted in Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodologies. This approach starts with comprehensive user research to understand behaviors, needs, and preferences, followed by user testing to evaluate solution usability and identify user experience pain points.

The process involves three stages: hypothesis formation, testing, and review/debrief. This user-centric approach helps tailor Wazi's solutions to meet specific user needs and preferences, ultimately enhancing the user experience and effectiveness of the platform.

For more information on Wazi's Human-Centered Design approach, please visit HCDExchange.

Wazi’s COVID-19 Response: Supporting Mental Health Needs, A Brief Case Study

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wazi undertook a significant project in collaboration with various stakeholders, including Nairobi Metropolitan Services. This project aimed to support the mental health needs of youth living with HIV/AIDS. The collaborative effort involved adapting Wazi’s platform to provide psychosocial support, focusing on vulnerable groups. This case study exemplifies Wazi’s capacity to work with local governments and other stakeholders to provide impactful mental health solutions during public health crises, demonstrating the versatility and responsiveness of Wazi's technological framework.

For more detailed information about Wazi's COVID-19 response project, please visit: Development of a digital mental health platform in the era of COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: findings and implications.

Awards and Recognition

Wazi has been recognized for its groundbreaking contributions to digital mental healthcare in emerging markets, including winning the Skoll Venture Awards in 2020. This award highlighted Wazi's potential as a high-impact social venture in the mental health sector.