IT4Anxiety

IT4Anxiety is a project lead in the framework of the North West Europe Interreg. IT4Anxiety aims to support the implementation of innovative solutions through start-ups with the objective of reducing the anxiety of patients suffering from mental disorders such as Alzheimer and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which are more present in the NWE territory (1,31% and 2,1%) than in the rest of Europe (0,95% and 1,73%). In both mental health conditions, managing the anxiety of the users is one of the most crucial challenges for caregivers and families. This project wants to help mental health users to better respond to the treatments and to improve the professionals' work conditions. And the current development of innovative tools represents an opportunity to manage anxiety and should be better implemented within the mental health sector. The objective of the project is to reinforce blended therapy and integrate validated innovative tools in the practices by delivering a study about the needs of the different stakeholders, supporting the co-creation and the development of innovative solutions to be implemented into the field, and developing the skills of the users and professionals. This joint effort includes start-ups, IT companies, mental health institutions, research centers and public authorities. At the end of the project, 15 start-ups will be supported and 3 jobs per start-ups involved will be created, which represents around 50 jobs; 10 innovative products will be validated by the different stakeholders and implemented on the field; 10 co-creative innovative solutions will be validated; 1 job profile for eMental Health referent will be created; 3000 users facing Alzheimer or PTSD will benefit from the innovative tools; and 1000 mental health professionals will be trained. This project is led by CNP Saint-Martin, Namur, BE (http://www.cp-st-martin.be/).