Voda, the LGBTQIA+ mental health app designed by LGBTQIA+ therapists, has launched the world’s largest free mental health resource for the trans community, while also supporting queer mental health at large.

Filling the Mental Health Access Gap

LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to face discrimination from healthcare providers, according to a report from the Mental Health Foundation. The report states that this discrimination can include being denied care, treated harshly, or having their gender identity or sexual orientation blamed for an illness.

Voda, a UK-based wellness app co-founded by Jaron Soh, Kris Jack, and Chris Sheridan, supports the LGBTQ+ community through self-guided mental health modules created by licensed therapists. While not a substitute for one-on-one therapy, the app provides evidence-based tools, including therapy programs, queer-specific meditations, and journaling exercises on topics like coming out, gender dysphoria, and self-acceptance.

“We’re different from other apps like Calm or Headspace and we really cater to the needs [affirmation of queerness] of the LGBTQ+ community,” Soh said. “Even though Voda isn’t therapy, it’s more like a self-led therapy workbook where you get to write down and journal and you get homework.”

The Trans Library

The Trans Library, featuring 52 self-led digital programmes, is designed to meet the unique mental health needs of the trans community, offering inclusive and evidence-based support at a time when it is urgently needed.

The library was developed by a panel of four trans therapists, each with lived experience spanning gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and neurodivergence. Voda also surveyed over 2,400 trans participants and collaborated with thought leaders from the trans community to ensure the content is relevant, affirming, and effective.

Current research highlights that sexual minorities often report their own experiences with barriers to care, instead of relying on direct methods. For transgender individuals, a big obstacle other than financial access,  is finding providers that understand the trans experience. 

According to a Voda press release and NHS data from 2018 to 2023 obtained by the BBC, wait times for gender-affirming care can stretch into 5 years. leaving many trans people in a state of prolonged distress. This leaves many trans individuals facing extended periods of distress. A recent University of Manchester study also revealed that trans people are up to five times more likely than cisgender individuals to develop long-term mental health conditions.

• The library contains 52 self-led digital wellness programmes, covering topics including coping with gender dysphoria, long waitlists, misgendering, social media trolling and medical stigma.
• The collection was created by a panel of 4 trans therapists, with lived experience across sexuality, gender, ethnicity and neurodivergence
• Voda surveyed over 2,400+ trans participants and consulted thought leaders from the trans community to ensure that the content is relevant, affirming and effective.

Breaking down financial barriers

Soh, who is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in product and growth, having founded three companies and successfully exited one, said one of Voda’s goals is to be financially accessible for the LGBTQ+ community, while also creating revenue streams to create a sustainable business model.

“We’ve committed to making a base level of the program free and the trans library is free,” he said. “Personalized [programs]  have a slight premium because it’s adapted to you.”

The wellness app began as a bootstrapped project and later raised funding from diverse investors like Gaingels, Lightbulb Trust, and ULTRA VC, Soh says. With a focus on sustainable growth, the app offers around 30% of its content for free. 

The premium account costs $9.99, which Soh says is a cost effective price for the services offered, like AI generated 10-day wellness plans that provide personalized daily mental health exercises. Non-AI features like pre-recorded audios and meditations, remain free for all users. 

As funding shows up for Voda, it will be directed toward improving its functionality, aiming to make it more engaging for LGBTQ+ mental health, similar to how Duolingo gamifies learning. 

Voda is expanding with paid AI-based features while continuing to provide free resources and also host free monthly group therapy sessions at Queer Britain, UK’s national LGBTQ+ museum. The app plans to improve user engagement and expand offerings to include support for ace and intersex individuals.