In a 2024 survey conducted by Naluri, where over 28,000 individuals across seven Asian countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, were interviewed and assessed, 58% of respondents were at high risk for mental health challenges. This is a 4% improvement from 2023, indicating that ongoing interventions like awareness campaigns and workplace mental health initiatives are indeed working.
However, there’s still a lot to do. The mental health crisis is real and it is affecting personal lives as well as professional progression- it’s not good for society and it’s not good for business. As such, it’s no surprise that the mental health apps market in Asia Pacific is booming and is set to reach US$5.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 16.5% projected between 2025 and 2030.
Antoinette Patterson from Safe Space explains how the mental health industry in Southeast Asia has evolved
In line with these trends and the rising demand, startups are leveraging AI to reshape the evolving mental health industry and address gaps across Southeast Asia. As mental health challenges continue to rise in a social media-driven driven digital-first world, AI-powered mental health startups are pioneering new ways to offer affordable, accessible, and personalised care at scale.
From early diagnosis to therapy and ongoing monitoring, AI is helping break down barriers to mental healthcare in a region where stigma, cost, and a shortage of professionals have long hampered progress.
Rise of AI in mental health across Southeast Asia
AI in mental health is no longer just a buzzword. It is a growing movement with real-world impacts. By leveraging machine learning, natural language processing, and behavioural analytics, AI-driven solutions can screen for mental health conditions, deliver self-guided therapy modules, and provide continuous tracking of a user’s well-being.
According to the Healthcare Transformation in Singapore report, AI is enhancing mental healthcare by enabling proactive and personalised support, shifting the model from reactive crisis management to early intervention and prevention. A hybrid approach—combining AI, digital tools, and human support—has proven especially effective, with youth users expressing a clear preference for authentic human interactions alongside digital self-help solutions.
Furthermore, usage data from mindline.sg suggests that AI-driven mental health tools, such as chatbots and self-assessment triages, have reached 10–20% of the national population within just three years (between 2020 and 2023), underscoring AI’s significant role in expanding access to mental health support at scale.
The market for these innovative mental health solutions is expected to grow rapidly. Let’s take a closer look at four standout startups pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in this space.
Singapore-based Intellect is democratising mental healthcare
Singapore-based Intellect offers a full-stack mental health solution ranging from self-guided cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to telehealth consultations with licensed therapists. What sets Intellect apart is its deep focus on cultural contextualisation, ensuring that users from diverse backgrounds receive care that feels personalised and relevant.
With over 3.5 million users globally, Intellect’s AI-powered tools help detect emotional patterns and suggest interventions tailored to the individual. As demand for employee mental health benefits rises, Intellect has also made inroads into corporate wellness, partnering with multinational firms to support workforce mental well-being across the region.
Holmusk is bridging data and clinical care
Holmusk, another Singapore-based startup, blends AI with robust data analytics to improve mental health outcomes. The company’s core product, NeuroBlu, is a real-world evidence platform that aggregates and analyses mental health data to help clinicians make data-driven decisions. Its predictive analytics can identify high-risk patients and optimise treatment pathways.
Backed by heavyweight investors including Veradigm, Holmusk is helping improve patient outcomes and also playing a crucial role in expanding the evidence base for mental health treatments, a major gap in many Southeast Asian countries.
Healint: Monitoring neurological health through AI
Healint focuses on using AI and big data to manage chronic neurological conditions, including mental health-related disorders. Best known for its Migraine Buddy app, the company offers AI-driven insights into symptom tracking, triggers, and treatment efficacy.
Recently acquired by US-listed Aptar Digital Health, Healint is poised to scale its operations further, with plans to extend its AI capabilities into broader mental health monitoring. By empowering patients with real-time data, Healint is helping individuals take control of their mental health journeys while providing clinicians with richer datasets to enhance care delivery.
Tenang AI is making strides with groundbreaking early-stage innovation
Malaysia’s Tenang AI is emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising mental health tech innovators. Developed by Cellivate Technologies, Tenang AI’s mission is to unlock human potential by providing accessible, affordable, and science-backed mental health support—both for individuals and companies. Through conversational AI, the platform offers empathetic, intelligent dialogue to help users manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
With a commitment to creating happier, healthier environments, Tenang AI is positioning itself as a next-generation mental health assistant tailored to the unique needs of Southeast Asia. The startup made a strong impression at the Big Spark seed funding finale and is poised to scale its vision of sustainable, impactful mental health care across the region.
AI’s growing influence on Southeast Asia’s healthcare landscape
The rise of AI-powered mental health startups signals a broader shift in Southeast Asia’s healthcare industry towards digital-first, personalised, and proactive care models. AI is helping to bridge the gap between supply and demand in mental health services, offering scalable solutions that are especially critical in countries where professional support remains scarce.
By enabling earlier intervention, continuous monitoring, and culturally sensitive care, AI is not only addressing immediate mental health needs but also contributing to long-term health system resilience. As AI technologies continue to evolve, we can expect mental health startups in Southeast Asia to push boundaries even further—combining empathy with intelligence to deliver next-generation care.
In the years ahead, the success of these ventures will likely depend on thoughtful regulation, data privacy safeguards, and public trust. But one thing is certain: AI in mental health is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s happening now, and Southeast Asia is firmly at the forefront of this quiet revolution.