The research study phase of our Be Mindful project to optimise accessibility, in partnership with Evenbreak and Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, is now underway. Funded by SBRI Healthcare, this ground-breaking initiative is designed to co-create digital mental health support that is shaped by disabled people themselves, aiming to help more people overcome real barriers to employment and wellbeing.
Achieving the highest standards of accessibility
Our Be Mindful digital mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program has already supported over 58,000 people to improve their mental health. In doing so the program also helps people to remain in and return to work, with mental ill health the leading cause of work-related absence and economic inactivity in the UK. The developments made through this project are designed to optimise accessibility so the program can also specifically help disabled people with mental health challenges feel more confident and able to get into work.
Disabled people remain significantly underrepresented in the workplace. Just over half are in employment compared with more than 80% of non-disabled people. Alongside systemic barriers, many also face compounding mental health challenges such as low confidence, anxiety, or isolation, often exacerbated by inaccessible or unsuitable support.
The launch of the research study phase will test and gather feedback on the targeted design features from over 200 deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people or people living with long-term health conditions who are currently looking for new or better work or thinking about getting back into employment, and have past or recent experience of living with poor mental health.
Alignment with national policy objectives
The project also reflects wider national ambitions, including the government's 'Get Britain Working White Paper' and the NHS 10-Year Health Plan for England which call for more inclusive and patient-centred support. By co-creating with disabled people and testing accessibility enhancements directly with jobseekers who have lived experience of poor mental health, this project also responds directly to these aims.
This partnership brings together unique expertise in digital therapy, inclusive employment, health innovation and lived experience. By working closely with members of the disabled community at every stage of the design process, this project aims to address both the mental health and employment barriers that too often stand in the way of disabled people finding, securing and thriving in meaningful employment.
Wellmind Health is excited to continue this important collaboration and we are deeply grateful to the disabled community members whose lived experiences are helping to shape more accessible digital pathways to better mental health and employment. We look forward to sharing the results of the study next year.
