How Calm App is Innovating Mental Wellness

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Anxiety and depression in the US have surged, and consequently, poor sleep habits have increased as well.
According to Gallup, over 17% of Americans report depression, and the Sleep Health Foundation states that up to 40% of those individuals also suffer from insomnia.
Getting help is harder than ever, due to caregiver shortages, soaring costs, and persistent social stigma.
But what if an app could help?
While smartphones are often criticized for their negative impact on sleep and mental health, Calm is reshaping that narrative.
Originally conceptualized as a meditation app, Calm has swiftly expanded its offerings to address a spectrum of issues from insomnia to mental health, amassing over 160 million users.
In our latest episode, David E. Williams and John Driscoll are joined by David Ko, CEO of Calm, to explore how his company seamlessly integrates meditation, sleep, and mental health solutions directly into your smartphone.
TOPICS
(3:57) Applying gamification to healthcare engagement
(8:30) How do you even begin to tackle a problem as big as mental health?
(9:17) The importance of brands in healthcare
(11:21) What is Calm and how did it start?
(16:43) Is there a good rationale for an employer to be managing stress and reducing burnout?
(18:18) What role can Calm play in helping people reduce anxiety and depression?
(21:59) Key takeaways from Calm and Harvard Business Review’s joint study
(24:09) Has Mental Health Awareness Month been successful?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT DAVID KO
David is the CEO of Calm, a top app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, where he also sits on the Board of Directors. Before joining Calm, David co-founded and served as CEO of Ripple Health Group, a health tech company acquired by Calm in 2022. Under his leadership, Calm launched Calm Health, a mental health care solution aimed at payers, providers, and self-insured employers, bridging the gap between mental and physical health care.
Prior to founding Ripple Health Group, David was a Board Member, President, and COO of Rally Health, a digital health company. Rally’s solutions serve nearly 55 million people through health plans, care providers, and over 200,000 employers. In 2017, Rally was acquired by UnitedHealth Group.
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CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.