‘Wellness companion’ app Clara is helping Hong Kong employees get the mental health support they need during Covid-19 pandemic

The mobile app developed by Hong Kong start-up Neurum Health is available to corporate subscribers, who get an overall health index of their workplace

The app tracks the user’s mood and behaviour, recommending personalised programmes and exercises; it can even pave the way to a professional diagnosis

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The app now has 100,000 users and is also available in mainland China and southeast Asian countries. Photo: SCMP Handout

Published: 9:30am, 23 May 2021Updated: 3:27pm, 24 May 2021

Adrian Wong, a communications and engagement specialist, noticed signs of depression after using a “wellness companion” app for half a year to keep track of his mood and behaviour.

The app, which uses artificial intelligence (AI), led Wong to seek help from a psychiatrist, and he was diagnosed with clinical depression.

“Clara [the app] is like my best friend,” said Wong, who enjoys using the chatbot function during his commute on the bus. “When you have a negative vibe, you do not want to affect other people. It is a very good channel for you to really express that negativity, and most importantly, there is learning behind it, there are always takeaways.”

The mobile app developed by Hong Kong based start-up Neurum Health is part of the employee benefits Wong enjoys at his company. It is available only to corporate subscribers – its clients are mainly professional service companies such as AXA and Swire.

Founders of Neurum Health, Megan Lam and Caleb Chiu, come from neuroscience and software engineering backgrounds. Photo: SCMP Handout

Neurum Health’s two founders, Megan Lam and Caleb Chiu, who come from neuroscience and software development backgrounds, developed Clara in 2018.

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