An award-winning Liverpool City Region tech firm has been given funding for what is thought to be the world's first mental health support app for survivors of sexual violence.
KRTS International believes the idea is a world first, and has received £10,000 funding from LCR Activate to help build Moving Forward.
The Wirral firm was founded by chartered psychologist Cath Kerr and trauma therapist Dr Liz Royle, and has developed the new technology in collaboration with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
It's set to launch as a pilot scheme later this year - and is in the "final stages" of development after the boost from LCR Activate, a support and funding programme for digital and creative businesses.
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The app is a tool to specifically help victims suffering from trauma following sexual violence - and will be compliant with standards set by groups such as the World Health Organisation and British Psychological Society.
It includes self-help features as well as those intended to let the user help others.
Cath Kerr, co-founder of West Kirby-based KRTS International, which offers eHealth solutions for psychological health and wellbeing, said, “LCR Activate has been an excellent source of advice and support and has offered several solutions to deal with the specific barriers we were facing.
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"Our passion is to make sure that the right person gets the right support at the right time, as well as addressing the stigma surrounding mental health.
"There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to tackling mental health challenges, but we believe that the Moving Forward app can empower users in tackling them head-on.”
KRTS also recently launched its workplace crisis mental health app, called Power to Respond, providing immediate aftercare for employees dealing with trauma and crisis within and outside of the workplace.
After receiving bespoke business support and consultation from the LCR Activate programme to develop KRTS Power to Respond, the app won 2019 CIR Business Awards and secured an NHS hospital as its first customer on a licensing basis, after receiving support and consultation from the LCR Activate programme.
Jonathon Clark, Business and Technology Manager at LCR Activate said, “In the year that LCR Activate has been supporting KRTS, we’ve really seen them develop as a business, and are thrilled that they are now in a position to be bringing Moving Forward to market by the end of the year.
"Knowing that this product is the first of its kind, and being involved in bringing attention to the issues surrounding mental health, is something we are proud to support.
"Moving Forward is a prime example of a company the ‘tech for good’ trend we are seeing in in LCR and beyond - it really will bring a positive impact for users across the world."