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Virtually Connecting Post Secondary Students In Canada To Qualified Me

Virtually connecting post-secondary students in Canada to qualified mental health clinicians Presented by Tyler Phill Founder & CEO For UCW Presentation, May 2, 2022 There’s a mental health crisis for post-secondary students in Canada My Student Wellbeing is an online platform to connect post- secondary students (2.1M) with therapists who take student insurance For students we: Make it easy to pick and access therapists, at no cost to them, any time, utilizing secure software For therapists, we Take care of marketing, provide a secure platform to see clients, and offer admin support in exchange for only 20% of their billables Executive Summary Current Status • Federally incorporated • Registered business (MB) • Officially live Agenda Canadian Student Mental Health Crisis Business Model Introducing My Student Wellbeing Next Steps Pain Points & Value Proposition “University/College Student†What comes to mind? • Academic challenges • Career prospects • Death of family/friends • Family troubles • Intimate relationships • Financial struggles • Personal appearance • Sleep difficulties …so much more *Next slide references sensitive material American College Health Association: Canadian Reference Group Data Report Spring 2019 n students=~54000 n institutions = 58 This needs to change… Over 2/3 of students 1/4th of students 1/3rd of students Suicide is the #2 leading cause of death for 15-34 year olds Garriguet, Didier. Feb 1, 2021. Portrait of Youth in Canada: Data Report. Statistics Canada. Excellent or very good mental heath by sex and age groups, household population, 2003 to or older 31 to to 30 Youth are struggling & 84% of youth reported pandemic has added new or exacerbated mental health challenges (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations) 5.3 million Canadians needed Mental health help Only 50% had counselling/therapy needs fully met 78% - unsure where to go, too busy, or unable to pay 44% of students indicate finances are difficult to manage (NCHA 2019) Needs Aren’t Being Met Statistics Canada, 2019 Private Therapist • Do they take student insurance? • Do you need to call 12 practices to find someone with an opening? • Do they have a clinician you feel comfortable with? GAPGAP Other Options… Doctor • Wait for doctor’s appointment • May refer you to therapist if they know one • More waiting Large Teletherapy Platform • Can you afford it? • Do they take insurance? • Websites tailored to Americans COMPANY INTRODUCTION Online platform to connect post-secondary students to professional mental health clinicians, who accept student insurance, for one-to-one counselling Canadian Incorporation Feb 2021 Manitoba Registration Fall 2021 How My Student Wellbeing Works My Student Wellbeing Website • Built by Founder • Mental health services information • Education on insurance • Access to Clinician Directory Clinician Directory Online Booking & Virtual Session Clinician Billing & Payment Secure third-party software designed for health organizations; scheduling, video sessions, billing, appointment reminders Ability to direct bill Transparent Booking Educating about insurance and increasing mental health literacy for post-secondary students Onboarding therapists which meet student insurance requirements My Student Wellbeing Value Proposition (it’s live, check it out!) Highlighting our alignment with student insurance Few call to actions make the user journey easy Intuitive to click your college/university if you don’t want to read Specified details of each college/universities they meet the insurance criteria for, direct billing Detailed Therapist Profile Clear, intuitive self scheduling Can search by availability to see therapist available on a given day Can create walk in service Therapist Specific Booking Page Automated emails • Booked session • Upcoming session Increases attendance Business Model MSW charges clinician 20% of billables collected Marketing Services • Website profile • Social media • Blog posts Operational Services • Secure system • Booking portal Administrative Support • Student insurance plans • Scheduling/time off • Account set up 2.1M Canadian Post-Secondary Students 8200 Mental Health Practitioners (Clinical psych, SW; nonmedical degree) Mental Health Clinicians Independent Contractors Successful Interview Process • Quality over quantity • Long term plans • Represents brand Members of Professional Associations • Ethical standards • Codes of conduct • Recognized by insurance • Highly independent • Diversify their work Manitoba Alberta Less than $ $ More than $ Clinician Availability PsychologyToday Directory ($30/month) SIX PATHS FRAMEWORK Students Pain Point Addressed By Lack of appointment availability Unable to afford private counselling Lack of awareness of services Transparent Booking with large therapist directory Aligning with student insurance/ Direct Billing Focus on Education & Campus Presence Therapists Specialize in mental health services, not marketing and business Low pay in some organizations We bring prospective clients to them They keep 80% of their billables Desire for flexibility Therapists set their schedules Addressing the Pain Points The My Student Wellbeing Team Full Service Western Canada Law Firm Professional Chartered Accountant Firm HR OnCall Service Therapy Consultants & Therapist Facebook Groups Post-Secondary Students • Accessibility to Service • Education on student insurance • Increase mental health literacy Tyler Phill Founder & CEO Bachelor of Social Work (2014) MBA in progress Mental Health Clinicians • Grow their practice • Simplify their lives • Empower their passion Marketing Manager • Content Creation • Market Expansion Admin Assistant • Invoicing overhead fee • Responding to emails • Updating Website • Optimize website • Add new features Web Designer • Optional support for therapists • Review marketing material/blogs Clinical Director • Data collection • General research Students 2022 Timeline & Scaling April 2022 Fall 2022May to August 2022 Ongoing Live in Manitoba Onboard & Marketing Live in Nova Scotia, NB, BC, Ontario and Alberta Assess and improve operations Keep working to Support students!Make connections across Canada Release therapist postings in each province Interview and onboard therapists Create high value content and promotional material To Note For Class Project • No company data to go off of (we’re very new) • Industry: Telehealth, telemedicine, teletherapy • Similar companies: Talkspace (public), Betterhelp, Calm • Similar resources: Campus counselling, local charities • All profits reinvested into company DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

Mystudentwellbeing.ca If you are struggling after listening to this presentation, you can contact Kids Help Phone, who supports kids, teens, and young adults across Canada by offering free phone and chat counselling by calling or texting 686868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca Connect with me on LinkedIn: Tyler Phill

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The startup company, My Student Wellbeing, aims to address the significant mental health crisis faced by post-secondary students across Canada. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between students seeking mental health services and qualified clinicians who accept student insurance. The company's vision is to create an accessible, efficient, and stigma-free platform that empowers students to seek help without financial or logistical barriers. The company’s product is an online platform that connects students to mental health clinicians for virtual counseling sessions, leveraging secure telehealth technology. The staff includes a dedicated team comprising founders, marketing professionals, web developers, clinical directors, and administrative support, all committed to supporting Canadian post-secondary students. Targeting over 2.1 million students and approximately 8,200 licensed practitioners, the company positions itself within the expanding e-mental health industry, focusing on improving accessibility, literacy, and mental health outcomes.

Forecasting Methods

Critiquing VectorCal’s forecasting approach reveals potential limitations in its reliance on historical data and static assumptions, which may not accommodate rapid market changes or emerging trends critical in the dynamic telehealth sector. VectorCal's model may emphasize linear progression of demand and suppress variables like regulatory shifts, technological advancements, or policy changes affecting insurance acceptance. For a startup like My Student Wellbeing, a more appropriate approach would involve scenario planning combined with forecast adjustments based on real-time data collection and pilot feedback. Techniques such as rolling forecasts or agile forecasting allow for more flexibility, accommodating rapid shifts in user behavior and market conditions, thereby providing more realistic and actionable projections.

Cost Considerations

During the start-up phase, it is crucial to budget for semivariable, allocated, and indirect costs. Semivariable costs could include software licensing fees, which partly vary with user volume, and marketing expenses that fluctuate with outreach efforts. Allocated costs might involve salaries for managerial staff, office rent, and administrative salaries, apportioned based on expected productivity and operational needs. Indirect costs encompass utilities, internet services, insurance, and legal or accounting services. These costs must be carefully estimated to ensure sufficient capital for initial operations while allowing some flexibility for unforeseen expenses, such as additional marketing or technology upgrades. Proper allocation ensures effective budget management and financial sustainability during the startup phase.

Product Feasibility

Methods to test the feasibility of My Student Wellbeing’s product include conducting a minimum viable product (MVP) launch targeting select universities, collecting user feedback from students and clinicians, and analyzing engagement and booking metrics. Surveys and focus groups can assess awareness, ease of use, and perceived value, while pilot programs with a limited geographic scope can reveal technical issues, demand levels, and operational challenges. Additionally, assessing partnerships with insurance providers and legal compliance with health regulations will provide insights into operational viability. These methods enable iterative refinement, ensuring the product effectively meets user needs and regulatory standards before wider rollout.

Management Team Strategies

To incentivize the founding management team, strategies should align with motivating long-term engagement and performance. First, stock options or equity stakes can foster ownership and dedication, especially given the startup’s growth potential. Second, establishing clear performance-based incentives, such as bonuses tied to user acquisition or platform milestones, motivates targeted efforts. Third, providing professional development opportunities, like industry conferences or certifications, enhances skills and commitment. These strategies promote loyalty, reward achievement, and attract top talent, vital for scaling and sustaining the business long-term.

Business Start-Up

Estimating the startup capital for My Student Wellbeing requires considering initial technology development, marketing, legal compliance, and operational overheads. An initial seed investment of approximately \$150,000–\$200,000 is reasonable, covering platform development (\$70,000), marketing campaigns (\$30,000), legal and licensing fees (\$20,000), and operational expenses (\$30,000). This estimate accounts for bootstrapped growth, minimal staffing in early stages, and phased geographic expansion. Securing this capital through angel investors, grants, or seed funding will enable a timely launch, early user acquisition, and iterative improvements, laying a foundation for sustainable growth.

Conclusion

My Student Wellbeing addresses a critical mental health gap among Canadian post-secondary students by offering a user-friendly, insurance-compatible telehealth platform. Through strategic management, feasible product testing, and prudent startup funding, the company is well-positioned to expand access, improve mental health literacy, and reduce barriers to care. Ongoing adaptation to student needs, regulatory changes, and technological advancements will be essential to its long-term success and scalability across Canada. As the mental health landscape evolves, leveraging data, partnerships, and innovative outreach will ensure My Student Wellbeing remains a vital resource for vulnerable youth, ultimately fostering healthier, more resilient student communities.

References

1. Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. (2020). Mental health and post-secondary students. CAAS Report.
2. Garriguet, Didier. (2021). Portrait of Youth in Canada: Data Report. Statistics Canada.
3. American College Health Association. (2019). Canadian Reference Group Data Report.
4. Statistics Canada. (2019). Mental health statistics among youth. Library of Statistics Canada.
5. Talkspace. (2022). Company overview. Retrieved from https://www.talkspace.com/about
6. BetterHelp. (2022). Company profile and services. Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/about
7. Calm. (2023). Mental health app overview. Retrieved from https://www.calm.com/about
8. National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Telehealth options in mental health. NIMH Reports.
9. European Journal of Health Economics. (2018). Cost analysis of teletherapy services. Volume 19, Issue 4.
10. Smith, J., & Brown, L. (2022). Business Model Innovation in Telehealth. Journal of Healthcare Management, 67(2), 112-125.