Local entrepreneurs Lorenzo Gomez III and Steve Cunningham announced Tuesday the launch of a new interactive mental health app and website, WeTree, to encourage mental health engagement with chosen support networks in safe spaces.
The web-based app launched Tuesday and the mobile app will be rolled out May 16.
WeTree allows users to select their support system and enables them to check in with those in their network via a rating system which measures positive emotions, relationships, meaning and purpose and health.
It includes a daily questionnaire which asks what users are thankful for and in what areas they could use extra support.
In a month of beta testing, WeTree has organically grown to more than 5,500 subscribers and several San Antonio entities — including CAST Schools and Trinity University — are beginning to adopt WeTree.
Jeanne Russell, executive director of CAST Schools, said the partnership is timely since students have been increasingly asking for more mental health tools.
"In response, we are starting a focus group to have students use WeTree to get that support," she said.
Luis Martinez, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Trinity University, said Trinity would also adopt the app to emphasize the importance of a close-knit community in mental wellness, and to provide more opportunities for students to receive community support.
Co-founder Gomez is involved in the San Antonio startup ecosystem and is the author of a book about his own mental health journey, "Tafolla Toro." Cunningham is an entrepreneur focused on the intersection of mental health and personal growth.
Gomez said since many struggle privately with mental health, the pair aimed to build an app that would be a secure place for people to engage with and communicate their mental heath needs to loved ones, as well as offer support and accountability in return.
“We know that the principles this is based on work, not because we came up with them, but because an army of ... psychologists did,” Cunningham said. “We just wrapped technology around it and are bringing it to everyone in a simple and easy way.”
