With the world on the brink of a mental health crisis due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Synctuition, the most advanced mindfulness and mind relaxation app backed by 106 scientific studies, today announces that their platform will be made free to people in 14 countries, in June and July 2020. The announcement comes as Synctuition releases data from research commissioned by the company, indicating that over two-thirds (67%) of UK adults are experiencing severe anxiety since the start of the pandemic, whilst the company reports a surge in demand and usage over the past few months, becoming one of the top three highest grossing mindfulness apps globally.
This new offering comes at an important crossroads in the way society examines how various global events, such as COVID-19, mass unemployment and global riots, has affected the mental health of people worldwide. With psychiatrists and psychologists calling for research into the impact of COVID-19 into our mental health, Synctuition polled 2,002 adults aged 18+ from across the country between 9-15 April 2020, and found that 18-35 year-olds are experiencing greater anxiety than over 55s (79% vs. 57%). Three out of five UK adults (59%) are most concerned about their friends and family and more people are more concerned about the economy (45%) than their own personal health (40%). Three in 10 (30%) cite concern for the Government to be able to get us through this. This is felt more strongly by older respondents (aged 55+) where 39% said this, compared to only 22% of those aged 18-34.
With a responsibility for us all to support those in need, today’s research also paints a poor picture for employers. Only two in five workers (39%) feel supported by their employer with younger workers struggling more with isolation than their older counterparts. Nearly a third (32%) cited isolation as one of the most stressful parts of working remotely, compared to 14% of those aged 55+. 17% say their employer is more concerned about their bottom line than their employees’ wellbeing, 15% say their employer is making more demands on employees and 11% think their employer has treated their employees poorly.
When it comes to how employers could be doing more to support their employees’ mental well-being at work, over a quarter (27%) want more communication with their teammates and a quarter (25%) would like access to well-being solutions like mindfulness apps. Synctuition’s new free offering will help these workers through this difficult time, along with everybody else who is feeling anxious, isolated and uncertain during this time. Interestingly demand for wellbeing solutions such as mindfulness apps outstripped demand for access to financial advice (16%) and this is despite a third (36%) of workers being fearful that they will lose their jobs. This research indicates a strong need for solutions that work, and Synctuition’s mindfulness and relaxation platform, the only one that uses 3D binaural beats, is there to meet that need. Despite high levels of anxiety throughout the population, there are rays of sunlight, with nearly 9 in 10 people feeling productive (89%) and 88% feeling optimistic about the future, and Synctuition wants to reassure these individuals that positive steps are being made to address these expectations.
Developed over 10 years, Synctuition is the world’s most advanced audio relaxation program. Backed by 106 scientific studies, Synctuition has already reached 4 million users. Whilst being entirely self-funded, the platform has become the third biggest mindfulness app in the US since launching 18 months ago. Dr. Prudence Hall, an author, and Synctuition mental health advisor said: “Being a part of the development of Synctuition was such a unique experience — incorporating so many disciplines and striking a balance of scientific studies and mindfulness modalities. For listeners to be completely transported to a different world in just 25 minutes could truly transform their state of mind and improve mental health. Personally, integrating the program’s journeys into my own self-care regimen has brought me peace and serenity throughout the current lockdown on numerous occasions.”
“2020 has been a challenging year for many reasons, with anxiety heightened, loss, pain and injustice all afoot. It’s clear that community and connection is more vital than ever. It’s great to see that Synctuition are working to help others during this time of uncertainty and I am so pleased they are in partnership with the Happy Place Virtual Festival,” Fearne Cotton, Synctuition User.
Urmas Reinsalu, the Estonian Minister for Foreign Affairs, sees Synctuition as a vital tool for the current time. He said: “I’m proud that Estonia is leading the way in developing so many different technologies to combat the challenges of the current time, and one of the most pressing of these challenges is the mental health crisis. People are struggling to cope with the effects of staying indoors, and people are worried about spreading the virus if they do go out, and their recent research has shown that people are very concerned about their loved ones and their friends. It is vital that people are given all the available materials to help them deal with the stress and anxiety they are currently feeling, which is why Synctuition’s global announcement today is so important.”
Michael Burich, the Co-Founder and COO of Synctuition, said: “Increased loneliness, isolation, anxiety, stress and worry about an economic recession are creating significant dangers to people’s mental health and wellbeing. We are very worried about the future and the mental health crisis that is emerging. Unemployment in the UK is forecast to double over the pandemic period, and unemployment has a direct increase in mental health crises, suicide rates and drug overdose death rates. It is deeply concerning that millions of people’s mental health could be affected for years to come due to the pandemic, and we want to save the lives of those that may be experiencing severe mental hardship due to the current situation. This is why we’re offering our platform for free, with no strings attached. I’ve been touched by how the international community has come together to offer their support for those in need, but there is almost nothing being offered by the government to support mental health. We want to raise awareness around this neglected issue and offer a helping hand to those in need.”
He added: “Neurological studies over the past decade have shown the positive impact mindfulness can have on helping combat stress and anxiety, giving people a new perspective on stressful situations; building skills to manage stress; focusing on the present; and increasing patience, tolerance, and imagination. As our research shows, the majority of people in the UK are feeling optimistic about the future. We would like to use this as a platform to build on to keep people feeling safe, supported and happy.”