#United States #mental health #Provo #Canary Speech #VillageFor

Canary Speech Partners with VillageFor for Voice-Driven Mental Wellness Check-Ins

In a significant move to bolster maternal mental health support, Canary Speech, renowned for its innovative AI vocal biomarker technology, has joined forces with VillageFor, an app dedicated to all aspects of motherhood. Launched on October 1st, their collaboration integrates Canary Speech’s advanced vocal analysis into VillageFor's journaling platform, enabling mothers to check in on their emotional well-being through voice journaling. This integration is designed at a time when the awareness of continuous mental health support during motherhood is more crucial than ever.

As mental health issues can fluctuate drastically between medical check-ups, this partnership offers an essential tool that allows women to gain insight into their emotional health without needing clinical interaction. The wellness assessment derived from voice characteristics offers an intuitive way to help mothers reflect on their feelings frequently, whether daily or weekly. It is important to note, however, that this feature aims for self-reflection and is not a diagnostic tool. This capability will be available as part of VillageFor's free My Village app and its premium Village Plus subscription.

The importance of addressing maternal mental wellness has gained momentum across the healthcare system. Research has shown that postpartum depression can affect nearly one in eight mothers, with more than 50% of those being untreated. New global health guidelines advocate routine emotional assessments in all postnatal check-ups—an effort to ensure mothers receive holistic care connecting regular evaluations with clinical assessments, therapy, and consistent follow-up support.

Henry O’Connell, CEO of Canary Speech, emphasized the fluid nature of maternal mental health. “Mothers' emotional states aren’t static; they can change day to day or week to week. By incorporating our vocal analysis technology seamlessly into VillageFor, we’re allowing women to engage in self-check-ins that reflect their current state,” he said. This innovative approach promises to deliver valuable insights into emotional wellness within the context of everyday life, making it easier for mothers to understand their feelings and seek help proactively.

VillageFor is dedicated to assisting mothers during all nine stages of motherhood, from the journey of conception and pregnancy to postpartum, loss, and adoption. The platform offers clinical insights through validated postpartum depression screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-US) alongside mood check-ins, educational resources, and strategies for managing anxiety.

Co-Founder Christy Davis of VillageFor stated, “Our mission has always been centered on empowering women to comprehend their mental health during one of the most emotionally complex periods of their lives. We designed a secure space where women can regularly check in with themselves, discern patterns in their emotions, and access support during challenging times. The addition of Canary Speech’s vocal technology enriches this experience by revealing nuances that physiological indicators alone may not express.”

For instance, where a mother may verbally claim she is fine, her voice may unveil complexities behind that statement. By harmonizing vocal biomarkers with validated clinical screenings and mood assessments, this collaboration provides mothers with a more comprehensive overview of their mental health evolution over time.

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, VillageFor's #AskHerTwice initiative will officially launch. This campaign aims to combat the habitual “I’m fine” response—a phrase that often obscures the true feelings of mothers. It encourages family members and friends to ask deeper questions, allowing mothers the chance for candid responses. Citizens are invited to share their reflections via the prompt “Motherhood isn’t __” to increase awareness and foster honest conversations about maternal mental health.

As part of its commitment, Canary Speech will participate in an in-person event promoting the initiative and to demonstrate the voice journaling feature.

About Canary Speech
Canary Speech, based in Utah, leverages real-time vocal analysis technology to screen for mental health and neurological disorders, identifying early signs of issues like anxiety and depression. Its software, Canary Ambient™, offers real-time insights from conversations between patients and clinicians, aiming to enhance clinical decision-making.

About VillageFor
VillageFor aims to support women throughout their motherhood journey, integrating mental health insights with everyday resources. Founded by mothers with personal experiences in infertility and postpartum challenges, it is a platform designed to ensure mothers have a supportive network long before crises arise.

With a focus on empowering women through technological advancements, this collaboration between Canary Speech and VillageFor represents a transformative step toward comprehensive maternal health support.