How Unity Agencies Are Developing VR Mental Health Platforms for Therapy, Mindfulness, and Emotional Support

Mental Health Services in the UK have been officially overwhelmed since 2013, but have become critical since the Coronavirus pandemic of 2019, when the demand far outstripped the available services. Since then, we have had to endure the cost-of-living crisis, global economic downturn, and almost constant international uncertainty on a daily basis. All of these have contributed to a general downturn in peoples mental health, and an increased reliance on central NHS services to bolster and support them.  

Taking Mental Health Seriously

The NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression initiative (TTAD) was initiated in 2008 as a way to enhance the quality and accessibility of mental health treatments in England. TTAD emphasised treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, and self-help support — collectively termed ‘talking therapies’ — for adults facing prevalent mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

The TTAD initiative is reasonably effective; According to Government statistics, in the period 2022 – 2023, over 89% of individuals completing a course of TTAD treatment had their initial treatment within six weeks, exceeding the objective of 75%. Nonetheless, typical waiting periods for first treatment exhibited considerable variation across England, ranging from a minimum of 4 days in Gloucestershire to a maximum of 79 days in Southport in Lancashire. 

The mean waiting period for initial treatment in England was 21 days, but the mean interval between the first and second treatments was a whopping 62 days. This means that many patients needing help from such services are being left unsupported for significant periods of time. 

The NHS seeks to offer therapy where possible – and where a real mental health issue has been diagnosed – but this still leaves what is thought to be millions of people without the support that they need. 

While there are online courses NHS that can be completed, and a slew of charitable organisations that offer support to those that need it, for many, self-support is the only option. Luckily, there are a range of excellent VR Apps, developed in Unity, to help with provision for people with mild issues. 

Unity VR Tackles Mindfulness

For many people suffering from mild depression, getting the right mindset is usually a matter of lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, modifications to diet, and taking up new sports and hobbies. However, research has shown that many sufferers respond well to calming environments and soothing conditions, and this is where VR can be a huge help.

VR helps users become more relaxed by providing them with realistic and regulated surroundings that enable them to concentrate on the here and now, therefore minimising distractions, and cultivating a sense of calm. Immersive mindfulness experiences that are based on VR therapy worlds have the potential to develop mindfulness abilities, reduce anxiety and sadness, and even improve the quality of sleep and the ability to regulate emotions. Once a person is relaxed, they are more likely to be able to deal with issues and situations that may be contributing to their unease, and even completely remove them in the long term.

Amongst the best relaxing Apps that can help combat depression are:

• TRIPP. Available on Meta Quest headsets, this is a meditation and relaxation application that utilises VR to create immersive breathing and meditation experiences that calm the user.
• Nature Treks VR. Based on placing the user in calming situations, Nature Treks VR can help relax the users mind and put them in a restful place mentally.
• Maloka. This meditation aid is specially designed to aid mindfulness and to promote a relaxed mind.

 As well as self-help Apps like these, there are also a number of professionally designed and curated VR Apps that allow access to trained professionals, who can help understand the underlying causes of the depression, and offer assisted strategies. Apps in this class include XRHealth, and PsyTechVR, and they can offer services that are more in-depth and success-driven. AR/VR for wellness is now a serious extension of everyday relaxing Apps, and will only grow as a niche.

Power in Design

All of these Apps and many more in the same class of VR therapy, have been designed by different Unity agencies, and using the Unity software package. This powerful software is amongst the best available for creating engaging experiences, designed to reduce tension and lift the spirits of the user. Research has shown that depression can be countered by the apt use of colour, sounds, and realistic environments that cannot be generally accessed in the real world. 

But harnessing the power of VR to ensure that the resulting App is not only appealing but fit for use requires professional development, and that is where design and coding experts such as Unity Developers can help. Companies undertaking professional Unity Development, such as these treat a new App as a holistic enterprise, and work with the client from first principles, right through to the launch and promotion of the App, post development.

Because of their delicate subject matter, mindfulness Apps need to have a highly professional structure and outlook that not only encourages the user to engage, but to also take them on a mindfulness journey that will see them being able to cope better.  

Unity Developers are professional Unity specialists with an impressive background in developing some of the most popular Apps on the market. Why not contact us and see how we can help with your App idea.