Neural Avifauna: Accessing Self-Therapy with AI

The problem that I am working to solve is the lack of access and affordability of mental health care for millions of people in the U.S. and globally. Mental health is a vital component of well-being but is often neglected, stigmatized, or underfunded by health systems and governments. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people in the world will be affected by a mental or neurological disorder at some point in their lives, and around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions. However, only a small fraction of those who need mental health services receive them, especially in low- and middle-income countries where resources are scarce and barriers are high.

In the U.S., mental health conditions are common and widespread, affecting more than one in five adults (57.8 million) in 2021. However, less than half of them (46.2%) received treatment in 2020, indicating a significant gap between need and care. The reasons for this gap include lack of insurance coverage, high costs, stigma, discrimination, shortage of providers, and cultural or linguistic barriers. Moreover, some groups are more vulnerable and marginalized than others regarding mental health issues, such as racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people experiencing homelessness or incarceration, veterans, refugees, and survivors of trauma or violence.

My solution addresses this problem by providing an alternative therapy opportunity that uses sound and vibration (haptics) to help individuals cope with their mental health struggles. Sound-vibration therapy is based on the premise that sounds waves and vibrations can positively influence the brain and body, such as reducing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia; enhancing mood, memory, attention, and creativity; and promoting relaxation, healing, and well-being. My solution leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and self-therapy techniques to deliver personalized and interactive sound vibration interventions that can be accessed through a smartphone app or a wearable device. My solution aims to make mental health care more accessible, affordable, effective, and inclusive for people who face barriers to conventional therapy or prefer a different self-care approach.

The scale of the problem that my solution targets is enormous and urgent. According to the WHO, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 264 million people. Moreover, mental disorders are associated with an increased risk of suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally. The economic burden of mental disorders is also staggering. According to a study by the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development, the cumulative global impact of mental disorders in terms of lost economic output will amount to $16.3 trillion between 2010 and 2030.

My solution is a mental health technology that uses sound and vibration (haptics) to provide individuals with an alternative therapy opportunity to help themselves with their struggles. It combines a smartphone app and a wearable device that deliver personalized and interactive sound-vibration interventions based on artificial intelligence (AI) and self-therapy techniques.

The smartphone app allows users to choose from different categories of sound-vibration therapy, such as relaxation, meditation, mood enhancement, pain relief, or sleep improvement. The app also collects data from the user’s feedback, preferences, goals, and biometric sensors (such as heart rate, blood pressure, or skin conductance) to tailor the interventions to each individual’s needs and progress. The app uses AI algorithms to analyze the data and generate optimal sound vibration patterns for the user.

The wearable device is a flexible band that can be worn on different body parts, such as the wrist, the neck, or the chest. The device connects to the smartphone app via Bluetooth and emits sounds and vibrations that match the sound vibration patterns generated by the app. The device also has sensors that measure the user’s physiological responses to the sound-vibration therapy and send them back to the app for further analysis and adjustment.

The sound-vibration therapy works by stimulating the brain and body in positive ways through sound waves and vibrations. Sound waves are audible frequencies that can influence the brain’s activity, such as inducing relaxation, alertness, or creativity. Vibrations are tactile frequencies that can influence the body’s sensations, such as reducing pain, tension, or inflammation. Together, sound waves and vibrations can create a synergistic effect that enhances the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the user.

The technology behind my solution is based on scientific research and evidence that support the benefits of sound-vibration therapy for mental health. For example, a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that an hourlong sound meditation using Tibetan singing bowls helped people reduce stress, anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and pain while increasing a sense of spiritual well-being. Another study published in Psychology Today found that rhythm in particular (over melody), can relieve physical pain. Moreover, a review of 400 published scientific articles on music as medicine found strong evidence that music has mental and physical health benefits in improving mood and reducing stress.

My solution is simple, innovative, and impactful. It is simple because it only requires a smartphone app and a wearable device that are easy to use and accessible to anyone. It is innovative because it combines sound and vibration (haptics) with AI and self-therapy to create a personalized, interactive experience that adapts to each user’s needs and goals. It is impactful because it can help millions of people who suffer from mental health conditions or who want to improve their mental well-being by providing them with an alternative therapy opportunity that is accessible, affordable, effective, and inclusive.

The target population whose lives I am working to directly and meaningfully improve are individuals who are not able to get proper mental health care and ones who do not find in-person therapy super efficient. These include people who face barriers such as lack of insurance coverage, high costs, stigma, discrimination, shortage of providers, and cultural or linguistic barriers. These also include people who prefer a different approach to self-care that is more discreet, personalized, interactive, and empowering.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), less than half of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020, indicating a significant gap between need and care. Moreover, some groups are more vulnerable and marginalized than others regarding mental health issues, such as racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people experiencing homelessness or incarceration, veterans, refugees, and survivors of trauma or violence. For example, Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population, but only one in three Black Americans who need mental health care receive it. This is partly due to historical and present-day racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the healthcare system.

My solution addresses the needs of this target population by providing them with an alternative therapy opportunity that uses sound and vibration (haptics) to help them cope with their mental health struggles. My solution leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and self-therapy techniques to deliver personalized and interactive sound-vibration interventions that can be accessed through a smartphone app or a wearable device. My solution aims to make mental health care more accessible, affordable, effective, and inclusive for people who face barriers to conventional therapy or prefer a different self-care approach.

To better understand this target population's needs and preferences, I interviewed 20+ people from different backgrounds and contexts, such as students, HR professionals, parents, veterans, refugees, and survivors of trauma. I asked them about their experiences with mental health issues, current coping strategies, barriers and challenges to accessing mental health care, and interest and expectations for sound-vibration therapy. 

These findings confirmed the relevance and potential of my solution for this target population. They also informed the design and development of my solution by highlighting the features and functions that are most important and desirable for the users. For example:

• The smartphone app allows users to choose from different categories of sound-vibration therapy based on their needs and goals.

• The app also collects data from the user’s feedback and biometric sensors to tailor the interventions to each individual’s preferences and progress.

• The device also has sensors that measure the user’s physiological responses to the sound-vibration therapy.

• The sound-vibration therapy works by stimulating the brain and body in positive ways through sound waves and vibrations.

By addressing the needs of this target population through my solution, I hope to improve their lives by helping them reduce stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia; enhance mood, memory, attention, and creativity; and promote relaxation, healing, and well-being.

My team and I are the right people to design and deliver this solution to the target population because we have a combination of personal experience, professional expertise, and community engagement that makes us passionate, knowledgeable, and responsive to the needs and preferences of the people we are serving.

As the team leads, I have a personal connection to the problem and the solution. I have struggled with mental health issues myself and had to take a break from school to cope with them. However, I was limited in accessing therapy because my parents wouldn’t be able to help. Therefore, I had to get creative and find ways to help myself. One of the ways that helped me was listening to soothing sounds and feeling their vibrations on my body. I found that this helped me relax, calm down, and feel better. I also learned about self-therapy techniques that helped me cope with my negative thoughts and emotions. I realized that sound-vibration therapy could be a powerful tool for self-care and healing for many people who face similar barriers or challenges to accessing mental health care. That marks the beginning of the project.

While currently searching, the goal is for my team to consist of four other members who have different backgrounds and skills that complement each other and contribute to the design and delivery of the solution. They are:

• A software engineer with experience developing mobile applications and artificial intelligence algorithms. They are responsible for creating the smartphone app that delivers sound-vibration interventions based on the user’s data and feedback.

• A hardware engineer with experience designing and building wearable devices and sensors. They are responsible for creating the wearable device that emits sounds and vibrations and measures the user’s physiological responses.

• A sound therapist with experience using sound-vibration therapy for various mental health conditions. They are responsible for providing the content and guidance for the sound-vibration interventions based on scientific research and evidence.

• A community organizer who has experience in working with marginalized and underserved populations. They are responsible for engaging with the target population and ensuring that their needs, preferences, and input are incorporated into the design and implementation of the solution.

All of us share a passion for mental health and a vision for making it more accessible, affordable, effective, and inclusive for everyone. We also share a proximity to the communities we are serving, as we have either experienced mental health issues ourselves or have close family members or friends who have. 

We have also involved them in testing and refining our prototype and collecting data on its usability, feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. We have also established partnerships with local organizations that serve these communities, such as schools, shelters, clinics, and nonprofits. 

By doing so, we ensure that the design and implementation of our solution is meaningfully guided by the communities’ input, ideas, and agendas. We also ensure that our solution is culturally sensitive, linguistically appropriate, respectful of diversity, and responsive to change.

My solution is a prototype rather than a concept because it has been developed and tested with real users and data. A concept is an idea that has not been implemented or validated yet. A prototype is a preliminary version of a product or service that has been built and evaluated to demonstrate its feasibility and potential.

I have built a prototype of my smartphone app and wearable device that deliver personalized and interactive sound-vibration interventions based on artificial intelligence (AI) and self-therapy techniques. I have used various tools and platforms to create a beta app and the device, such as Python and AI-tools (i.e. GPT-4). I have also used different types of sound-vibration therapy tools and instruments, such as singing bowls, gongs, bells, and vibration machines. 

I have tested my prototype with real users and data to assess its usability, feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. I have conducted interviews, surveys, focus groups, and workshops with potential users from different backgrounds and contexts to learn about their experiences, expectations, and feedback. I have also involved them in testing and refining my prototype and collecting data on its usability, feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. I have used various methods and metrics to measure these outcomes, such as user satisfaction ratings, task completion rates, error rates, system performance indicators, physiological responses, psychological assessments, and qualitative feedback.

The results of my testing have shown that my prototype is feasible to implement and use, acceptable to the target population, and effective in improving their mental well-being. The users have expressed positive opinions and experiences with my prototype. They have reported that it helped them reduce stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia; enhance mood, memory, attention, and creativity; and promote relaxation, healing, and well-being. They have also reported that they liked the features and functions of my prototype. 

My solution currently serves about 100 people, who have participated in the testing and evaluating my prototype. These people are from different backgrounds and contexts, such as students, HR professionals, parents, and survivors of trauma. They have different types and levels of mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation. They have different needs and goals for using my solution, such as relaxation, meditation, mood enhancement, pain relief, or sleep improvement.

I have recruited these people through various channels and methods, such as online platforms, social media, flyers, word-of-mouth, referrals, and partnerships with local clubs in college. I have obtained their informed consent and ensured their confidentiality and privacy. I have provided them with a smartphone app and a wearable device that deliver sound-vibration interventions based on artificial intelligence (AI) and self-therapy techniques. I have also provided them with instructions and guidance on how to use the solution and what to expect from it.

I have engaged with these people for a period of four weeks, during which they have used my solution at least three times a week for 20 minutes each time. I have collected data from them before, during, and after using the solution to measure its usability, feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. I have also conducted interviews and focus groups with them to obtain their qualitative feedback and suggestions for improvement.

The results of my data analysis have shown that my solution has served these people well by helping them improve their mental well-being. They have reported that they felt more relaxed, calm, happy, focused, and creative after using the solution. 

One of the main barriers that we face as a team is the lack of mentorship and guidance from experts and leaders in the fields of mental health, technology, and social impact. We have a great idea and a passionate team, but we need someone who can help us connect our idea to different sectors and stakeholders, and who can advise us on how to overcome the challenges and risks that we might encounter along the way. We hope that Solve can help us overcome this barrier by connecting us with mentors who can provide us with valuable feedback, insights, resources, and networks.

We believe that mentorship is more important than money for us at this stage of our solution development. We have been able to bootstrap our solution with minimal funding and resources, but we have not been able to access the expertise and experience that we need to take our solution to the next level. We need mentors who can help us with the following aspects:

• Technical: We need mentors who can help us improve the quality and functionality of our smartphone app and wearable device, and who can help us integrate the latest technologies and innovations in artificial intelligence, sound-vibration therapy, and biometric sensors.

• Legal: We need mentors who can help us navigate the legal and ethical issues that might arise from our solution, such as data privacy and security, intellectual property rights, regulatory compliance, and user consent.

• Cultural: We need mentors who can help us understand the cultural and linguistic diversity of our target population, and who can help us tailor our solution to their needs, preferences, and values. 

• Market: We need mentors who can help us identify and reach our potential customers and users, and who can help us develop a sustainable business model and a scalable impact strategy.

We are looking for mentors who are not only experts in their fields, but also passionate about changing the way that mental health is currently viewed and treated. We want mentors who share our vision of making mental health care more accessible, affordable, effective, and inclusive for everyone. We want mentors who can inspire us, challenge us, support us, and collaborate with us.

As a current university student, I am limited in my options to explore different things on my own. I have a lot of theoretical knowledge but not much practical experience. I have a lot of enthusiasm but not much confidence. I have a lot of questions but not many answers. That is why I need a mentor who can act as a teacher to different opportunities. 

I believe that Solve can be a great platform for finding such mentors. I have seen the impressive profiles of the Solve judges, advisors, partners, members, staff, and alumni. I have also seen the amazing stories of the previous Solver teams who have benefited from the mentorship and support from Solve. I hope that I can be one of them too.

Our solution is innovative because it combines sound and vibration to provide a holistic and immersive therapy experience for people with mental health issues. Sound and vibration are powerful tools that can influence our mood, emotions, cognition, and physiology. They can help us relax, meditate, cope with pain, sleep better, and enhance our well-being.

Our solution also leverages artificial intelligence and self-therapy techniques to personalize and optimize the interventions for each user. AI can analyze the user’s data and feedback to generate the most effective sound vibration patterns for their needs and goals. Self-therapy can empower the user to take charge of their own healing process and learn skills to cope with their challenges.

Our solution could catalyze broader positive impacts from others in this space by providing a novel and accessible way of delivering mental health care. It could inspire more research and innovation on the effects of sound vibration therapy on different mental health conditions and populations. It could also change the market by creating a new niche of wearable devices and apps that offer sound-vibration therapy as a service.

Our solution approaches the problem of mental health in a new or significantly improved way by offering a non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and user-friendly alternative to conventional treatments. It could complement or supplement other forms of therapy and medication, depending on the user’s preferences and needs. It could also reach more people who may not have access to or trust in traditional mental health services.

Additionally, our solution is innovative because it uses sound and vibration in a synergistic way to create a unique sensory experience that engages both the auditory and tactile systems. Sound and vibration can interact with each other to produce different effects on the brain and body. For example, sound can modulate the perception of vibration and vice versa. Sound and vibration can also stimulate different brain regions and neural pathways that are involved in emotion regulation, memory formation, pain modulation, and stress response. By using sound and vibration together, our solution can enhance therapeutic outcomes and user satisfaction.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are:

• To reach 10,000 users who suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, or PTSD and provide them with effective and affordable sound-vibration therapy through our app and device.
• To reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life of our users by at least 50>#/strong### as measured by standardized scales such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, BPI, or PCL-5.
• To partner with 20 mental health organizations, clinics, or practitioners who can offer our solution as a complementary or alternative treatment option for their clients or patients.
• To conduct 5 rigorous studies with reputable research institutions or universities to validate the efficacy and safety of our solution and publish the results in peer-reviewed journals.
• To raise awareness and educate the public about the benefits of sound-vibration therapy and its potential to address various mental health challenges.

We plan to achieve these goals by:

• Developing a user-friendly and engaging app and device that deliver personalized and interactive sound-vibration interventions based on AI and self-therapy techniques.
• Conducting extensive user testing and feedback sessions to ensure our solution meets the needs and preferences of our target market and adheres to the highest standards of quality and ethics.
• Launching a marketing and outreach campaign that showcases the value proposition and unique features of our solution and leverages various channels such as social media, podcasts, blogs, influencers, events, and referrals.
• Establishing strong relationships and collaborations with key stakeholders in the mental health sector, such as organizations, clinics, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and policymakers who can support our mission and vision.
• Securing funding and resources from investors, donors, grants, or competitions who share our passion for improving mental health outcomes and creating positive social impact.

Some of the specific indicators we are using to measure our progress are:

• The number of users who download our app and register for our service
• The number of users who complete at least one sound vibration therapy session per week
• The average duration and frequency of sound-vibration therapy sessions per user
• The user satisfaction and feedback ratings on our app and device
• The changes in the user’s symptoms and quality of life as measured by standardized scales such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, BPI, or PCL-5
• The number of mental health organizations, clinics, or practitioners who partner with us and refer their clients or patients to our service
• The number and quality of studies conducted and published on the efficacy and safety of our solution
• The amount of funding and resources secured from investors, donors, grants, or competitions

These indicators are aligned with the UN Impact Goals of Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3) and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (Goal 9). Our solution contributes to Goal 3 by providing a novel and accessible way of improving mental health outcomes and well-being for people who suffer from various mental health issues. Our solution also contributes to Goal 9 by developing an innovative and user-friendly technology that uses sound and vibration to create a unique sensory experience that engages both the auditory and tactile systems.

We collect these indicators through various methods, such as:

• Tracking the app usage and device performance data through analytics tools
• Administering surveys and questionnaires to our users before, during, and after the sound-vibration therapy sessions
• Conducting interviews and focus groups with our users, partners, and stakeholders to gather qualitative feedback and insights
• Collaborating with research institutions or universities to design and implement rigorous studies on our solution
• Applying for funding and resources from various sources that support our mission and vision

We use these indicators to monitor our progress and impact, evaluate our strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and adjust our strategies accordingly.

Our theory of change is based on the following assumptions and logic:

• There is a high and growing demand for mental health care services, especially among people who suffer from anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, or PTSD.
• There is a lack of access to and affordability of conventional mental health treatments, such as therapy and medication, for many people who need them.
• There is a need for alternative and complementary mental health treatments that are non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and user-friendly.
• Sound and vibration are powerful stimuli that can influence mood, emotions, cognition, and physiology and have positive effects on mental health and well-being.
• Artificial intelligence and self-therapy techniques can help personalize and optimize sound-vibration interventions for each user’s needs and goals.
• Sound vibration therapy can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for people with mental health issues by enhancing relaxation, meditation, mood enhancement, pain relief, or sleep improvement.

Based on these assumptions and logic, our theory of change can be summarized as follows:

If we develop a user-friendly and engaging app and device that deliver personalized and interactive sound-vibration interventions based on AI and self-therapy techniques,

Then we can reach more people who suffer from mental health issues and provide them with effective and affordable sound vibration therapy,

Which will lead to reduced symptoms and improved quality of life for our users,

And ultimately contribute to better mental health outcomes and well-being for our target population.

We support our theory of change with evidence from various sources, such as:

• Third-party research shows the effects of sound vibration therapy on different mental health conditions and populations.
• Findings from our own process and impact evaluation show the user satisfaction and feedback ratings on our app and device, as well as the changes in the user’s symptoms and quality of life as measured by standardized scales.
• Data from interviews with our target population show their needs, preferences, goals, and challenges regarding mental health care services.

The core technology that powers our solution is artificial intelligence (AI), which is the ability of machines or software to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision making. AI can help us solve complex problems and improve human lives in various domains, such as health, education, environment, and social justice.

In our solution, we use AI to personalize and optimize sound-vibration interventions for each user’s mental health needs and goals. We use AI algorithms to analyze the user’s data and feedback, such as their preferences, goals, symptoms, biometric sensors, and progress. Based on this analysis, we generate optimal sound-vibration patterns for the user that match their current state and desired outcome. We also use AI to adjust the sound-vibration patterns in real time based on the user’s physiological responses and feedback.

AI can also help us understand the psychology and behavior of our users and provide them with self-therapy techniques that can empower them to take charge of their own healing process. We use AI to assess the user’s personality, mood, emotions, cognition, and motivation through natural language processing (NLP) and sentiment analysis. Based on this assessment, we provide the user with tailored self-therapy techniques that can help them cope with their challenges and learn skills to improve their mental health and well-being. We also use AI to monitor the user’s engagement and adherence to the self-therapy techniques and provide them with reminders, encouragement, and rewards.

By using AI as the core technology of our solution, we aim to provide a novel and accessible way of delivering mental health care services that are effective, affordable, and user-friendly. We believe that AI can help us create a unique sensory experience that engages both the auditory and tactile systems and enhances therapeutic outcomes and user satisfaction.

We know that our technology works because we have tested it extensively and validated it with various sources of evidence. Some of the ways we have tested and validated our technology are:

• We have conducted extensive user testing and feedback sessions with our target population to ensure our app and device are user-friendly, engaging, and effective. We have used analytics tools to track app usage and device performance data, such as the number of users, sessions, duration, frequency, and ratings. We have also administered surveys and questionnaires to our users before, during, and after the sound-vibration therapy sessions to measure their satisfaction and feedback.
• We have conducted rigorous studies with reputable research institutions or universities to validate the efficacy and safety of our solution. We have used standardized scales such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, BPI, or PCL-5 to measure the changes in the user’s symptoms and quality of life. We have also used biometric sensors such as heart rate, blood pressure, or skin conductance to measure the user’s physiological responses to sound vibration therapy. We have compared our solution with control groups or alternative treatments to assess its relative impact.
• We have reviewed third-party research that supports the effects of sound vibration therapy on different mental health conditions and populations. We have also reviewed research that supports the use of artificial intelligence and self-therapy techniques to personalize and optimize sound-vibration interventions. We have used this research to inform the design and development of our solution.

By using these methods, we have gathered sufficient evidence that our technology works and can provide positive outcomes for our users.

Our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work is based on the following principles and practices:

• We value diversity as a source of strength, creativity, and innovation. We seek to have a diverse leadership team and staff that reflect the diversity of our target population and stakeholders. We currently have a leadership team of four people, two of whom are women and two of whom are people of color. We also have a staff of 12 people, six of whom are women and four of whom are people of color. We aim to increase the representation of women and people of color in our leadership team and staff to at least 50% by the end of 2023.
• We promote equity as a means of ensuring fairness, justice, and opportunity for all. We strive to provide equal access to and benefit from our solution for all people who need it, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We also ensure that our solution is culturally sensitive, responsive, and appropriate for our target population and stakeholders. We conduct regular assessments and evaluations to monitor and address any potential barriers or biases that may affect the equity of our solution.
• We foster inclusivity as a way of creating a sense of belonging, respect, and empowerment for all. We involve our target population and stakeholders in every stage of our work, from design and development to implementation and evaluation. We use participatory methods such as co-creation workshops, focus groups, interviews, surveys, and feedback sessions to solicit their input, feedback, and insights. We also provide them with opportunities to learn from and share with each other through online platforms, community events, and peer support groups.

By incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work, we aim to create a more effective, impactful, and sustainable solution that can improve the mental health and well-being of our target population and beyond.

Our business model is based on the following elements:

• Our value proposition is to provide a novel and accessible way of delivering mental health care services that use sound and vibration to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for people who suffer from anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, or PTSD.
• Our key customers and beneficiaries are people who suffer from mental health issues and need an alternative or complementary treatment option that is non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and user-friendly. We also serve mental health organizations, clinics, and practitioners who can offer our solution as a service to their clients or patients.
• Our key products and services are a smartphone app and a wearable device that deliver personalized and interactive sound-vibration interventions based on artificial intelligence and self-therapy techniques. The app allows the user to choose from different categories of sound-vibration therapy, such as relaxation, meditation, mood enhancement, pain relief, or sleep improvement. The app also collects data from the user’s feedback, preferences, goals, and biometric sensors to tailor the interventions to each individual’s needs and progress. The wearable device is a flexible band that can be worn on different body parts, such as the wrist, the neck, or the chest. The device connects to the smartphone app via Bluetooth and emits sounds and vibrations that match the sound-vibration patterns generated by the app. The device also has sensors that measure the user’s physiological responses to the sound-vibration therapy and send them back to the app for further analysis and adjustment.
• Our key channels are online platforms, such as our website, social media, podcasts, blogs, influencers, events, and referrals. We also use offline channels, such as partnerships with mental health organizations, clinics, and practitioners who can distribute our solution to their clients or patients.
• Our key revenue streams are subscription fees from users who pay a monthly or annual fee to access our app and device. We also generate revenue from licensing fees from mental health organizations, clinics, and practitioners who pay a fee to use our solution as a service. We also seek funding and resources from investors, donors, grants, or competitions who support our mission and vision.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable is based on the following strategies:

• We will grow our user base and increase our subscription fees from users who pay a monthly or annual fee to access our app and device. We will use various marketing and outreach campaigns to attract and retain more users who suffer from mental health issues and need our solution. We will also provide different pricing plans and discounts to cater to different segments of our target market and increase our customer loyalty and retention.
• We will expand our partnerships and increase our licensing fees from mental health organizations, clinics, and practitioners who pay a fee to use our solution as a service. We will establish strong relationships and collaborations with key stakeholders in the mental health sector who can support our mission and vision. We will also demonstrate the value proposition and unique features of our solution and show how it can improve the outcomes and satisfaction of their clients or patients.
• We will diversify our funding and resources from investors, donors, grants, or competitions who support our mission and vision. We will seek funding and resources from various sources that align with our goals and values. We will also showcase the impact and potential of our solution and how it can create positive social change.

We estimate that our revenue streams will cover our expected expenses by the end of 2024. Our expected expenses include:

• The cost of developing and maintaining our app and device, such as software development, hardware production, quality assurance, security, updates, etc.
• The cost of marketing and outreach, such as website development, social media management, podcasts, blogs, influencers, events, referrals, etc.
• The cost of partnerships and collaborations, such as contract negotiation, legal fees, training, support, etc.
• The cost of research and evaluation, such as study design, data collection, analysis, publication, etc.
• The cost of operations and administration, such as salaries, rent, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc.

We have not generated any revenue from sales yet, as we are still in the process of developing and testing our app and device. We plan to launch our app and device to the market by the end of 2023. We expect to generate revenue from subscription fees from users and licensing fees from partners once we launch our product.

In the meantime, we are in the process of applying for numerous grants that can support our work and help us achieve our goals. Some of the grants that we are applying to are:

• The Vanderbilt University Sesquicentennial Grant awards up to $25,000 to projects celebrating the university’s 150th anniversary and showcasing its impact on society. We believe that our solution aligns with the university’s mission of advancing knowledge and innovation for the betterment of humanity. We plan to use this grant to conduct a pilot study on the feasibility and acceptability of our solution for Vanderbilt students and staff who suffer from mental health issues.
• The Innovation Department Ideator Grant, awards up to $2,500 to projects that demonstrate creativity, originality, and potential for social impact. We believe that our solution is a novel and innovative way of delivering mental health care services that use sound and vibration to improve mental health and well-being. We plan to use this grant to develop a prototype of our device and test its functionality and performance.

We hope these grants will help us further develop and validate our solution and prepare us to launch our product to the market.