86260EMPATHERAPY: Next generation of PERSONALISED digital, blended and self-help therapy to treat anxiety and depression, and improve wellbeingClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKAt least one in five adults suffer from anxiety, depression, and Covid-19 has increased the population of sufferers. About 7m sufferers are receiving antidepressants and other medications which don't cure them and have side-effects. About 1.6m are referred annually to NHS psychotherapy (called IAPT), mainly face-to-face therapy (until covid-19). However, because of limitations of budgets and therapists patients are receiving only, on average, 6.9 sessions, and only 0.3m recover. The existing methods and number of therapists cannot cope with the increased demand. Because of covid-19 therapists have switched to remote therapy, mainly by telephone or video call, which made the situation worse. There are some existing digital solutions, but they are not personalised and only about 5% of therapists are using them. In the last three years MindLife has collaborated with leading experts and NHS Mental-Health Trusts to research more effective methods, to assess, and treat patients, by combining digital interventions, AI/Machine-Learning with advanced psychological science, including: --Analysis of thousands of patients' anonymised data (using Artificial Intelligence /Machine-Learning). We've developed and tested intelligent algorithms which analyse the user's conditions, needs and progress, and refer him/her to the most effective and relevant type of therapy and therapist available. --Our digital platform (UpLiftNOW) which enables us and therapists to create appealing interactive self-help applications which can teach the users and empower them to practise in their daily lives relevant interventions according to their needs. --Computerised algorithms which assess the user's progress every session and provides feedback to the therapist about the probability of patient recovery and whether he/she should change course to make it more effective. --We've developed digital platforms Ai-Leap, to deliver therapy which enabling therapists to combine face-to-face or remote therapy with digital self-help app which the patient can use during, between and after sessions. We tested these innovations in RCTs but we didn't have the time and funds to integrate and implement them in NHS IAPT services. In this EMPATHERAPY project we will integrate all the above interventions and tools, upgrade them to create effective, personalised digital therapy and implement it in NHS services to improve outcome and patient wellbeing. EMPATHERAPY will be the next generation of mental-health therapy. It will combine the best of the human therapists, who will provide empathy, motivation, hope and advice, using his/her own experience and knowledge, together with expertise and knowledge accumulated from thousands of patients, analysed by experts and AI/Machine-Learning. The patient will receive, in addition to the therapy session, many interactive sessions and Skills Practices which will enable him to implement what he/she has learned in his/her daily life and progress much faster to recover and improve his/her life. EMPATHERAPY will revolutionize the mental-health therapy to improve the lives of millions in the UK and globally. It will enable MindLife to export the Software-as-a-Service, internationally, bring income to the UK, and repay the taxpayer much more than this initial investment.