Kathryn Lund

You bring up some interesting ideas about the current wine industry. It almost sounds like it is consolidating and fragmenting at the same time. The big companies are buying out the other big companies and consolidating their position. Meanwhile, the smaller firms are fragmenting the micro environments. I am not a big wine drinker, but I do enjoy beer. I feel the wine industry is about where the beer industry was 15 years ago. At that time the American beer industry had lots of smaller local breweries. While the big companies where owned by 2-3 massive international companies. Since that time, the massive companies have started buying up the smaller ones. This has offered the smaller ones money for their start up and increased distribution they never would have had otherwise.

Thanks so much for sharing, Kathryn. I recently came to learn of all the therapy options that are available in the 21st century. Naturally, during the global pandemic, traditional therapist also have transitioned to virtual e-therapy services. That said, the concern for data privacy is valid. If someone feels like they’re just another number or consumer to target for therapy services, the journey for help or even sessions may not feel as genuine and more of a money grab. On the other side, I can also see how using the data can simply help a company get in front of the people who need it. While I’m aware of the updated therapy options, there are so many people who don’t know how to find these resources. Using data to market them may be the best options until it. becomes mainstream and normalized in the future.

Kathryn I loved your post! I am also someone who is an advocate of therapy having been through it myself and saw how it had a positive effect on my life. Even though I go to a practice, I have often recommended both Betterhelp and Talkspace to friends who were looking for a way to try it out without having to get insurance involved. The point you made about these companies using the data to improve the program and/or better market to individuals was something I never thought of before. It does make me feel wary about how much information these companies have and I agree that we should be sure of which avenue would be best to receive help. I will definitely be doing more research on these e-therapy apps.

Thank you for sharing. I also feel people who need help should be able to get it 24/7. When it comes to the question of privacy, I do not see why these apps should not have to meet the same requirements as the therapists themselves. I do not know the industry, but I think any data serve that holds personal medical information has to meet HIPPA standards. Forcing the apps to do the same will most likely drive the price up. However, I think it will create a better and safer product. Therapy is build on trust, and if the people using the app do not trust it to keep their secrets, then they will stop using it.

This is a great post Kathryn! I really love the way you speak about therapy and mental health. Speaking of these companies, even though I do not like their way of attracting and targeting customers, I understand why they would use these methods. At the end of the day, they are a company that needs money in order help people. In today’s environment, companies need to adapt to digital marketing to stay afloat. It can be considered unethical by some, but others can argue it is not since companies are not actually releasing actual information on its users. I think as the topics of mental health and therapy grows, this might become a controversial issue.

I am with you Kathryn, I am a huge advocate for therapy. It has gotten me through so many obstacles in life. I tried an online chat therapy before and wasn’t the biggest fan of it. It didn’t feel as genuine as sitting in a room with someone and talking person to person. I understand the pulling of data to obtain and help customers but that does not mean it is right. This made me lose a little hope in the online therapy platforms such as Talkspace. These companies should be using their main point of being their for you 24/7 as a target point as this feature is very attractive. Maybe the people running this need to take mental health a little more serious and think about the person going to them for help.

I love therapy, and have been going for about a year now. Well since covid, I have been visiting my therapist through telehealth video chats for the safety of us both. I think technology is a positive and negative to peoples mental health, Social media being a negative where people compare themselves to others and thinking if they are not where their supposed to be like others then they are a failure. I tend to cut my social media time because I too believe it affects my mental health and takes away my day. However, I love the options technology gives us to help better mental health, such as what you mentioned. I have never personally used those, but love how hotlines now have the options to message instead of calling if you don’t feel comfortable. I’m happy you brought these types of programs to my attention seeing as I do have an Alex and will have to check it out. Another recommendation I have that personally helps my mental health is “Headspace” (https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwi1ibONt7DtAhWUhMgKHbL-AZ8YABACGgJxdQ&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESQOD2Fnyzu0uqTNwLtBxW5MtaXv5NZDb6myTlCyR1k9cRSk2BazuaBZvjSVBXzkqyHb332CjC6zTVRB-d32SJY5w&sig=AOD64_3IjCYKz4s6isStW-3UFeHo-sSI-w&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiSlqqNt7DtAhWOEVkFHZvfCpMQ0Qx6BAgREAE&dct=1) It it helps with breathing techniques. People tend to use it for meditation, but I personally don’t have the patience for that, I use it when I need help with a panic attack or racing thoughts.

Thank you for bringing this topic up because I think mental health is just as important as physical health. Since we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and going to see someone in person isn’t the easiest option right now, technology has helped people a lot.

I love this post since I am an advocate as well for therapy! I personally do not mind that my data is being collected, if the phrase I used is utilized for marketing purposes I do not see negative outcomes out of it as long as my name is not used without my consent. I am more on the liberal end of the spectrum as I do not mind if my data is being collected as I would much rather have a personalized ad experience rather than a randomized experience. Ads will be there either way so I do not mind it at all. As you mentioned, companies need to make money and putting myself on the seat of a marketing employee on one of those companies, I would utilize the data just as much as they currently are. One of the reasons therapy is able to be accessible is mainly due to the amount of data that can be collected so that it can improve its learning and more accurately assist people. If to do so my data is looked at then be it.