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April 23 has been declared the World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day (WICAMHD) by the world’s leading psychiatric organizations for child and adolescence

IACAPAP

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 11 May 2022 - Research has shown that most mental disorders develop in childhood and adolescence (before the age of 25), and one-quarter of number of years lost to disability or illness for mental and substance use disorders occur in youths. Recognising the urgency to address this burgeoning issue and to galvanise the global community to take ownership and action, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions ( IACAPAP ), International Society for Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology ( ISAPP ), World Association for Infant Mental Health ( WAIMH ), and World Psychiatric Association Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ( WPA-CAP ) have jointly declared April 23 as the World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day (WICAMHD) with a launch event on that day. Children and adolescents form one third of the world's population. Childhood and adolescence are foundational years and ideally a period of growth, learning and carefree exploration. However, many around the world are inflicted by trauma and crises – adverse experiences which research has demonstrated to impact lifelong mental and physical health. Research has also shown that most mental disorders develop in childhood and adolescence (before the age of 25), and one-quarter of disability-adjusted life years for mental and substance use disorders occur in youths. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are also contributing factors in the development of mental disorders in adult years. The indirect and compounding effects of this is a ballooning economic burden on societies, especially in the areas of healthcare utilisation and productivity loss. Below are excerpts from speakers at the Launch: Associate Professor Daniel Fung, President of the IACAPAP said, “Studies of adults with both mental and physical illnesses have also shown that adverse childhood experiences can have long lasting effects later in life. The emphasis by most governments has always been on adults in both financial budgeting as well as policy development. We hope to change this with the World Infant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day, by relooking our priorities and having the right reasons for planning our future. If there is no health without mental health, then the key to health and well-being of people and nations lies with our young, and we should take early steps to protect their mental health.” Prof Campbell Paul, President for WAIMH said, “Early intervention means intervening early in childhood and before mental health problems become established when it is more difficult to help the child or young person resume a healthy social and emotional developmental trajectory. Around the world mental health services for infants, children and adolescents are patchy and sparse with many countries and communities having literally no access to child mental health services,” Prof Norbert Skokauskas, Chair for WPA-CAP said, “We are aware of the current unmet needs in global child and adolescent mental health and it’s critical for us to call for an integrated approach with a clear vision for change, political support and funding to implement the vision, and trained healthcare workforce to implement the change in clinical practice,”. Prof Mario Speranza, President of the ISAPP said, “Supporting adolescents’ mental health is not just a duty toward a significant part of the population. It may be useful to remind ourselves that children and adolescents represent over a quarter of the world population. It’s much more a question of investing in the most promising elements of our society. Raise the awareness of the specific needs of children and adolescents and supporting their mental health means investing in our very own future. This is the reason for celebrating the World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day,” The designation of Apr 23 as WICAMHD draws recognition of the importance of infant, child and adolescent mental health; and encourages stakeholders to advocate for the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness in the young by: Improving global public awareness about infant, child and adolescent mental health. Creating literacy and competencies in the promotion of infant, child and adolescent mental health as well as reducing the stigma of mental disorders in these populations. Improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infant, child and adolescent mental disorders through international cooperation and understanding. Reaching out to countries with scarce resources to develop infant, child and adolescent mental health professionals. The prevalence of mental disorders continues to rise in the young and is higher than in older-age groups. An improved understanding of this, as well as better awareness among communities and helping professionals cannot be underestimated. A recording of the launch event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgOV4WR0m7I ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS (IACAPAP) The International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) mission is to advocate for the promotion of the mental health and development of children and adolescents through policy, practice and research. The mission of IACAPAP is to promote child and adolescent psychiatry and the mental health and development of children and adolescents through policy, practice, training and research. For more information, visit: https://iacapap.org/ INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOLOGY (ISAPP) International Society for Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology (ISAPP) is an organization established to work for the mental health of adolescents, and it is comprised of individual members devoted to working with adolescents, either in the field of child psychiatry and psychology or adult psychiatry and psychology. The International Society for Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology's (ISAPP) mission is to increase public and professional awareness about the mental health and development of adolescents all around the world. For more information, visit: http://www.isapp.org/ WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR INFANT MENTAL HEALTH (WAIMH) The World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) is a not-for-profit organization for scientific and educational professionals. WAIMH's central aim is to promote the mental wellbeing and healthy development of infants throughout the world, taking into account cultural, regional, and environmental variations and generating and disseminating scientific knowledge. WAIMH's mission promotes education, research, and study of the effects of mental, emotional and social development during infancy on later normal and psychopathological development through international and interdisciplinary cooperation, publications, affiliate associations, and through regional and biennial congresses devoted to scientific, educational, and clinical work with infants and their caregivers. For more information, visit: https://waimh.org/ WORLD PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY SECTION (WPA-CAP) The World Psychiatric Association Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (WPA-CAP) section supports the overall mission and goals of the WPA in: • Working with its members and partners around the world to promote child and adolescent mental health and to encourage the highest possible standards of clinical practice and ethical behaviour in child and adolescent psychiatry. • Contributing to education programs and research, meetings, and publications to increase knowledge about child and adolescent mental disorders and skills in addressing them. • Disseminating knowledge about evidence-based therapy and values-based practice in child and adolescent psychiatry. • Being a voice for the dignity and human rights of young patients and their families• Upholding the rights of the child and adolescent psychiatrists where they may be challenged. For more information, visit: https://www.wpanet.org/child-adolescent-psychiatry #IACAPAP Contact Details International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) Ms Sue Wong info@iacapap.org

May 11, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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City Produce Joins FreshEdge

FreshEdge

INDIANAPOLIS – FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, acquired City Produce, a fresh food distributor headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. For many years, City Produce has been serving North Central Florida, the Florida Panhandle, and central to southern Alabama distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including an array of fresh-cut offerings, dairy, meats, seafoods, specialty foods, and more. City Produce operates out of two facilities, one in Fort Walton Beach, and a second in Foley, Alabama. The addition expands FreshEdge’s footprint into the southern United States and provides space and logistical support to better serve its customer base as it spreads farther south. City Produce joins Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh Produce, McCartney Produce, Monteverde’s, Valley Produce, Vine Line, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh and Papania’s. FreshEdge now operates with more than 2,000 employees, approximately 808,500 square feet of warehouse space, and a fleet of more than 720 trucks. “We welcome Tommy Sundy and his amazing team to the FreshEdge family of companies,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge. “We are excited for this great company to join FreshEdge as we expand farther into the Southeast.” Terms of the deal, which closed on May 10, 2022, were not disclosed. The transaction strengthens the combined business’s presence in Florida and southern Alabama. “City Produce will be a great addition to our expanding group of ‘best in class’ fresh food distribution companies,” said Greg Corsaro, president and COO of FreshEdge. “We look forward to Tommy’s continued leadership at City Produce.” “Our City Produce team is excited to join the FreshEdge family - knowing we’ll be ‘better together’,” said Tommy Sundy, president. “This is the next step in increasing our footprint, serving customers with expanded offerings and growing for our future.” FreshEdge is backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on investments in founder and family held companies. Rotunda seeks to provide opportunities for management teams to reach strategic, financial, and operational objectives. Rotunda entered the food business in 2017 with the acquisition of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce. FreshEdge was created in 2019 when Get Fresh Produce joined the platform. City Produce represents FreshEdge’s seventh acquisition since Rotunda’s initial investment. Together, Rotunda and FreshEdge intend to continue expanding FreshEdge by welcoming more companies into the group—all focused on high quality produce and specialty food products, along with exceptional service—to create a unique group of complementary entities. About FreshEdge FreshEdge was formed in 2019 through the combination of Get Fresh Produce (founded 1982) and the IF&P Foods family of companies, primarily composed of Indianapolis Fruit (founded 1947) and Piazza Produce (founded 1970). McCartney Produce (Paris, TN) joined the FreshEdge family in November 2020 followed by Valley Produce (Knoxville, TN) in June 2021, Vine Line (Grand Rapids, MI) in October 2021, and Monteverde's (Pittsburgh, PA) in November 2021. Collectively, these leading fresh food distribution companies have nearly 500 years of combined experience serving the grocery and food service industries. FreshEdge includes two Garden Cut branded fresh-cut processing facilities, a tomato re-packer, a USDA fresh kitchen (CIBUS Fresh), and two transportation companies. FreshEdge's fleet resource includes more than 720 trucks servicing the Midwest and beyond from 12 facilities totaling approximately 808,500 square feet of warehouse space. Today, FreshEdge is one of the largest independent fresh food distributors in the United States and a category leader in providing both the foodservice and retail industries with fruit, vegetables, proteins, fresh grab-n-go offerings, dairy, floral, and specialty products. For more information, visit www.freshedgefoods.com. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is an operationally oriented private equity firm focused on transforming family-founder owned companies into dynamic, data-driven platforms able to achieve and manage significant growth. Since its founding in 2009, Rotunda has partnered with management teams to build great businesses within three primary sectors: value-added distribution, asset-light logistics and industrial & business services. Rotunda strives to achieve replicable results by implementing its Rotunda Performance System to create strategic alignment, develop lean processes and create robust, data-driven infrastructures. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. Contact Details FreshEdge Greg Corsaro +1 317-981-3440 gcorsaro@freshedgefoods.com Rotunda Capital Partners Jill Lafferty +1 847-280-1295 jill@rotundacapital.com Company Website https://www.freshedgefoods.com/

May 11, 2022 07:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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DermTech Helps Detect Skin Cancer Through a Smart Sticker Instead of a Scalpel

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/9SD9aKn3328 Would it surprise you to know that one in five Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70? In fact, more than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour. It is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer and one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the U.S. Because of the nation-wide closures of dermatology offices during the pandemic, there was a significant delay in routine cancer screening which impaired referrals for preliminary cancer diagnoses. This means there is a potential backlog of undiagnosed skin cancers. Even prior to the pandemic, only 16 percent of Americans ages 18-29 surveyed in a 2018 study stated that they visited a dermatologist’s office in the past 12 months. What if there were an innovative and painless ways to get your moles checked at home via a telehealth appointment and under clinician supervision? DermTech’s reliable and patient-friendly test, the DermTech Melanoma Test, enhances early melanoma detection by accurately ruling out melanoma. It uses a non-invasive Smart Sticker to gently lift skin cells from the surface of the skin, which are tested for the presence of genomic markers associated with melanoma. A negative test result means there is greater than 99% probability that the mole is not melanoma. The Smart Sticker is simply pressed onto the spot, lifted off and then sent to DermTech’s lab. Patients can access the DermTech Melanoma Test at dermatologists’ offices, through certain primary care providers or remotely via telehealth in 44 states. For more information visit: https://dermtech.com/ Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 10, 2022 01:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Dartmouth Innovation & Technology Festival Celebrates Completion of Dartmouth’s West End District Focused on Solving the World’s “Wicked Problems”

Dartmouth

With $500 Million in capital and programming investments, expanded district combines Dartmouth’s liberal arts focus with entrepreneurial spirit, technological and scientific expertise to create future leaders; Festival program will include a range of speakers and topics focused on creating a sustainable, equitable future Former Dartmouth president, John Sloan Dickey, famously implored students to apply their education for the benefit of humankind—because “there is nothing wrong with the world that better human beings cannot fix.” That’s the spirit behind the recently completed West End District at Dartmouth, which will be celebrated at the Dartmouth Innovation & Technology Festival, May 12-14, 2022. The festival will gather leading alumni, global technology experts, public policy leaders, faculty, and students for provocative discussions about innovation, collaboration, and the art of the possible. Dartmouth President Philip J. Hanlon said of the West End District, “Solving society’s greatest challenges requires that students, faculty, and staff have the necessary cutting-edge infrastructure to do their best work." Dartmouth’s West End began with the idea that organizing scholarship by research areas, rather than by departments, works better to break down the silos that have kept scientists, business leaders, and innovators looking at complex problems only from within their own disciplines. Interdisciplinary, inter-school, and intergenerational collaboration will prepare future leaders to tackle the world’s most wicked issues. The West End District includes the Tuck School of Business, Thayer School of Engineering, and two new state-of-the-art buildings, the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society and the Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center, which houses the Department of Computer Science, Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Digital Applied Learning and Innovation Lab. Key Points The West End District changes the way teaching and learning happens. It allows faculty and students to think systemically and holistically about society’s challenges—and is where big ideas become bold realities at the intersections of science, technology, business, and the liberal arts. The West End was a top priority of Dartmouth’s The Call to Lead campaign and is the largest building project in Dartmouth’s 253-year history. The Dartmouth Innovation & Technology Festival will feature a range of events, including: The presentation of the first annual McGuire Family Prize for Societal Impact, awarded to Jason McLellan, a structural biologist whose groundbreaking coronavirus research conducted at the Geisel School of Medicine laid the foundation for COVID-19 vaccines that have saved countless lives. Keynote and panel conversations about a range of topics, including sustainability, whether crypto currency can deliver long-term value, women’s health, artificial intelligence, transportation, and increasing diversity in STEM. Interactive experiences in makerspaces led by faculty and Dartmouth students. About Dartmouth Founded in 1769, Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League and consistently ranks among the world’s greatest academic institutions. Dartmouth has forged a singular identity for combining its deep commitment to outstanding undergraduate liberal arts and graduate education with distinguished research and scholarship in the Arts and Sciences and its four leading graduate schools—the Geisel School of Medicine, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business. Contact Details Racepoint Global Madison Everts dartmouth@racepointglobal.com

May 10, 2022 01:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Best Online Therapy For Anxiety & Depression: Top Virtual Counseling Services For Better Mental Health

Blue Ribbon Group

Even though the COVID-19 situation seems to calm down, we all know the devastating consequences it has left behind. And we’re not talking about shaking the economy here (which is very serious). No, we’re talking about the mental health concerns that have affected almost every person in the nation. The quarantine, fear, loss of loved ones, and the unknown have triggered many emotions, stress, disorders, and problems that many of us were familiar with long ago. The situation required a fast solution, and that’s how some of the best online therapy sites have come to the rescue. However, we’re also witnesses of many companies using people’s mental health issues to earn money. That’s why we decided to find and review the best online therapy services platforms to help you make the right choice. 5 Online Therapy Platforms To Find A Therapist For Mental Health Programs: Calmerry - Best Virtual Counseling Therapy Platform; Recommended For Teletherapy OnlineTherapy.com - International Online Counseling Platform For Mental Health Care BetterHelp - Licensed Online Therapy For Depression; Best Mental Health Professionals ReGain - Best Online Therapists For Couple Counseling With Mental Health Conditions Pride Counseling - Affordable Online Therapy Site For LGBTQ Community Here are the detailed reviews of our top picks: #1. Calmerry - Best Virtual Counseling Therapy Platform; Recommended For Teletherapy The first platform for an online therapy we’re going to review is Calmerry. This company is one of the safest and most comfortable spaces you’ll ever find online. The platform works very effectively, always having the clients’ preferences, goals, and problems in the first place. Calmerry is one of the best choices if you want to start with online consulting because it works only with professional therapists. It has gathered a team of experienced, passionate, and kind people with medical licenses to help people confront their issues and solve their problems. Of course, Calmerry has many other beneficial features, which is why people choose this place over others. Thus, around 95% of its clients find the sessions more convenient than traditional ones. This again confirms the effectiveness of the company. Calmerry’s job and effort have been recognized and appreciated by numerous notable and influential companies and magazines. So, this safe space has been featured in MBG (Mind Body Green), goop, Well and Good, Vogue, and many others. Features Not many places can compare to Calmerry, and we’re talking about multiple aspects here. For starters, the platform is HIPAA-compliant, meaning that your sessions will be entirely confidential. Moreover, your personal information and session data will be secured because the company uses encryption on the servers. Given that many of us find it hard to consult a therapist, security and privacy are the most important features when it comes to online therapy. Furthermore, we already mentioned that Calmerry works only with certificated professional therapists. The team contains counselors with master or doctorate degrees in particular fields. That’s why the company can provide therapy for people with various issues, including but not limited to marriage and family therapy, clinical social workers, professional counselors, etc. Communication methods Unlike many other online therapy sites with only one session method, Calmerry offers a real online experience with the same effect as traditional sessions. You can schedule video sessions and enjoy the benefits of mental health therapy without leaving your living room. These video sessions are an excellent solution if you don’t feel confident or comfortable visiting a counselor. Moreover, you’ll have the opportunity to speak about your state without facing the fear of being present in a strange and unknown room. Calmerry also offers text therapy. The virtual therapy chat is available 24/7, and you can freely send a text whenever you want. Even if your therapist doesn’t answer immediately, you can expect a response during the working hours on the therapist’s working days. Additionally, you should also know that you can access the platform from any device. The platform has a very intuitive and user-friendly interface. Moreover, if you don’t want to use your browser, you can download the app available for both Android and iOS. Calmerry’s fields of expertise As we mentioned, this company collaborates with numerous mental health professionals. All of them specialize in various fields, which is why Calmerry can help overcome a significant number of mental health problems. Anxiety Stress Eating disorders Depression Anger management Childhood abuse Family and marriage conflict OCD PTSD Relationships Emotional abuse Trauma LGBTQIA+ Low self-esteem Of course, the list doesn’t stop here because some mental issues can’t be categorized. That’s why in the beginning, Calmerry will ask you several questions. After processing your answers, the company will connect you to the therapist that suits your needs. Price Calmerry is one of the most cost-effective online therapy platforms you can find on the market. The company works as a subscription service. You can choose text therapy for as low as $42 per week or arrange a monthly subscription because the company offers several options. For instance, those interested in video therapy can choose a plan of around $90 per week. The company automatically will charge you each month so that you can focus on your therapy and not on continuing your subscription. However, unlike many others, you can cancel the subscription at any point. You should also know that the platform regularly arranges discounts. The sales are often presented as discount codes that can provide you with up to 30% off on your subscription. Customer service The customer service team is yet another aspect where Calmerry shines. The company uses real people, not bots, for its live chat room, where you can ask any question you want. Additionally, you can contact the team on a toll-free number or send an email. According to the reviews, Calmerry’s representatives are exceptionally customer-friendly, kind, and efficient. Pros Professional team of licensed mental health experts Video and text therapy Covers numerous fields of mental health concerns Encrypted and HIPAA-compliant 24/7 live support Friendly customer service Multiple price subscriptions Cons You can’t choose your therapist No group-therapy option #2. OnlineTherapy.com - International Online Counseling Platform For Mental Health Care OnlineTherapy.com is an international platform for mental health therapy where you can get a doctor on demand. The company focuses on connecting people with suitable mental care providers, counselors, therapists, social workers, psychologists, life couches, and others. However, OnlineTherapy does much more than connecting and arranging sessions. In fact, this platform is a resourceful and safe place that provides aid and tools for everyone that wants to make a change in their life. In order to provide information, educational and coaching articles, and tools, the company has a professional team of certified therapists and counselors. This team continuously works on the content and information presented on the website. They also participate in reviewing clients’ information, so they can connect them with suitable therapists. This platform is one of the best online therapy places because it provides hassle-free appointments, excellent service, and a network of professional mental health counselors. Moreover, because of its vast network, it can provide services to millions of people around the globe. Features One of the best features of this online mental health care therapy platform is its ability to protect clients’ personal information and can also be referred as in person therapy. The company is HIPAA-compliant and uses advanced encryption to protect your information. Besides your data, the sessions you’ll attempt will also be protected and secured by the company’s security technologies. This is very important, especially for those struggling with anxiety or those who feel uncomfortable going to a therapist. Moreover, many people want to hide that they’re going on sessions from the world. That’s why providing discretion and security is fundamental in this field. Communication methods OnlineTherapy.com offers several session methods. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to chat with your therapist via text or voice chats. You can also arrange a therapy session through video calls. The company’s website has an intuitive and user-friendly interface. After creating an account, the company will provide you with a personal dashboard where you’ll easily access your plan, schedules, worksheets, diary, and activity planner. Even though the company doesn’t offer a mobile app yet, you can easily navigate the browser version thanks to its interface. This version is well optimized for use from any device, such as your computer, laptop, phone, etc. OnlineTherapy’s fields of expertise As we mentioned before, this company collaborates only with professional, licensed, and experienced therapists. In fact, one of the criteria required from the potential workers is for them to have at least 2.000 hours of clinical experience. When it comes to offered fields of expertise, you can find a broad network of counselors specializing in helping with numerous mental health problems. Therefore, you can choose: Addiction Adoption Depression Eating disorders Grief Infidelity OCD Low sex drive Insomnia Trauma Moreover, the company enables you to choose the focus of your sessions regarding your faith orientation. So, you can choose Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or other faiths and spiritual. You should also know that OnlineTherapy is focused mostly on cognitive behavioral therapy. Because of this, the platform is unique and different from the others. Unlike other companies, OnlineTherapy offers a dashboard. You can access worksheets from your therapist, personal journal, educational articles and information, activity plan, progress tests, yoga and meditation tips and lessons, and other tools in this personal space. This entire toolbox, especially the worksheets, is one of the many reasons why OnlineTherapy is very similar to in-person CBT. Price As with the previous platform, OnlineTherapy is also a subscription service. This means that you can choose between three subscription plans. Each subscription will give you access to a dashboard, yoga and meditation videos, activity plan, tests, and daily worksheet replies from a therapist. However, for message and video sessions, you’ll have to choose a standard or premium plan. They offer one 30-minute video or audio session per week or two sessions, respectively. Additionally, the company has another offer too. This offer is called a free plan and gives you access to useful tools and resources so that you can preview the other options. However, the free plan doesn’t include a therapy session. Customer service If you have any questions or queries about using the platform, you can contact customer service through a contact form presented on the website. There’s also a phone number if you prefer to call the representatives. According to the reviews, the company’s support team is very customer-centric. Clients found OnlineTherapy’s representatives kind and helpful. Pros A massive network of licensed therapists and counselors Multiple session methods Friendly interface optimized for use on all devices Provides therapy similar to in-person CBT Available access to a personal dashboard with numerous helpful tools Affordable prices Cons No group therapy Sessions only are available for adults #3. BetterHelp - Licensed Online Therapy For Depression; Best Mental Health Professionals We have found some articles online saying that OnlineTherapy and BetterHelp are the same company. However, that’s not true. While both platforms work to connect you with a suitable therapist, they’re different companies. The only thing that connects them is a BetterHelp affiliate. This means that you can choose to find a BetterHelp therapist through the OnlineTherapy’s website. Let’s get back to BetterHelp. You see, with some companies, you don’t need to write long essays to describe their quality and even superiority compared to their competition. BetterHelp is one of those companies with almost shocking numbers related to clients, visits, and app downloads. For starters, the platform has been operated by an experienced company ever since its opening in 2013. With more than 50.000 downloads per month and over six million monthly visits, this firm is literally crushing records. However, we think that the most important thing is that BetterHelp has helped more than 2.5 million people find peace and improve their mental health and their lives. All these numbers, ratings, and scores are a result of dedicated hard work by licensed therapists. Features As we started the other reviews with the security provided by the companies, we’ll continue that for BetterHelp too. This platform provides excellent security for its clients. It uses 256-bit encryption for the messages between you and your counselor. As for your personal information, you don’t have to worry either. The company utilizes state-of-the-art security technologies that protect you and your account. Moreover, BetterHelp doesn’t collaborate with insurance companies. Therefore, your data doesn't have to be shared with third-party sides. Moreover, the platform doesn’t request your full name and contact information upon signing in. Therefore, you can choose a different name or a nickname. However, you do have to provide a real emergency contact. Communication methods BetterHelp offers all communication methods that represent e-therapy. You can have sessions in whatever way is working for you, starting from texting with your therapist. Furthermore, you can live chat, meaning unlike exchanging messages, with live chat, you’ll get responses immediately. Moreover, you can have a phone or video session. Phone sessions are more suitable for those who are uncomfortable showing in front of a camera, while the latter is better for those looking for a person-like experience. BetterHelp’s fields of expertise BetterHelp has a comprehensive network that includes more than 20.000 mental health therapists. Thanks to this number, the platform can offer a significant number of services related to almost every mental health that is not severe. Therefore, you can make an arrangement for an online session with a therapist with knowledge and experience in helping with: Sleep issues Anger management LGBTQ+ related issues Grief Addiction Eating disorders Family and marriage issues Recovery Anxiety This is just a shortlist of areas where BetterHelp counselors can assist. Upon signing in, you’ll have to answer several questions about your feelings, state of mind, doubts, fears, and other personal questions. The results from your survey are processed by an algorithm, which finds the most suitable therapists according to your data. Price Using services from BetterHelp will typically cost you around $60 to $90 per week. The price depends on your preferences, such as the type of therapist and the communication method, your location, and the billing frequency. Even though BetterHelp works with subscriptions, you can cancel yours anytime. Moreover, you can use the 7-day free trial if you want to test the online therapy. However, we have to say that we have found several reviews from people who have already tried BetterHelp. According to some clients, this platform is slightly costlier compared to other companies that provide the same services. Customer service BetterHelp customer service is available through an online contact form presented on the website. The company also has posted an email address if you want to email your questions. However, we couldn’t find any phone number. According to most of the reviews, clients have received fast responses to their emails from the company’s representatives. Nonetheless, some people say that they have waited for a response for a while. Pros A reputable platform with more than two million satisfied clients More than 20 thousand licensed, skilled, and compassionate therapists Offers therapy for numerous issues High-quality security system and encryption Clients can be completely anonymous Cons Costlier than other platforms No phone number for contact with customer service #4. ReGain - Best Online Therapists For Couple Counseling With Mental Health Conditions So far, we have presented and reviewed three fantastic online therapy platforms with amazing features. Now we want to discuss another impressive company with very specific features. ReGain is the best place for relationship therapy and couple consulting. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, this platform can provide you with professional therapists who may help you solve issues related to love and relationships. ReGain is an excellent place for couples who have been struggling to overcome issues, regain trust and compassion, and improve their relationship. This platform has a very high popularity and reputation. Even though the company is considered a relationship online therapy, the therapists’ skills go far beyond. That’s because you can’t draw a straight line when it comes to mental health. And when you and your partner have some relationship issues, they often go way back to some unsolved individual problems. ReGain can help you get your life back on track in these cases. Features Given that ReGain is focused on couple therapy, the company has created a safe place for both you and your partner to attempt a session with a licensed therapist. So, unlike other platforms, ReGain enables each account to hold two individuals. You’ll pay for one account, but both you and your partner can use it. Furthermore, ReGain has a first-class privacy system and uses advanced technology to provide you with privacy and security. Each conversation, message, and video is secured by encrypted technologies. Communication methods ReGain provides three types of communication methods. You can communicate with your therapist through messages, phone calls, or video sessions. The interesting thing about this company, though, is that you’ll get a private room upon signing in. Of course, this room is virtual, and it should represent a safe place where you can write about yourself and your relationship. This room is the place where you and your therapist will communicate mainly through messages. Of course, you can book an appointment and have a video session too. If you decide to try online therapy with your partner, you can invite them to this room. From that point on, the communication with the counselor will involve both of you. When it comes to accessibility, you can use the platform from any device that has access to the internet and a web browser. The site is optimized to be easy to use and navigate on various screens. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t launched a mobile app yet. ReGain’s fields of expertise As we said in the beginning, ReGain is a convenient platform for couple therapy. However, we’re all aware that the problems we have in our relationships may have come from another place. In order to offer as much choice as possible, ReGain collaborates with licensed and experienced therapists. The platform can offer sessions with LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapists), LCSW/LMSW (licensed clinical/master social workers), LPC, and LPCC (licensed professional therapists). You can also find accredited psychologists (Ph. D./Psy. D). Generally, ReGain can connect you with professionals who can help you with issues, such as: Marriage consulting Regaining trust and compassion Relationships anxiety Healing from a breakup or divorce Infidelity Communication issues Sexual and intimacy issues Personal issues that affect the relationship Price At ReGain, you won’t find numerous packages or subscription plans. The company offers one option that costs from $60 to $90 per week. The price you’ll pay depends on your location, needs, and the therapist’s availability. ReGain will charge your card every four weeks. However, if you no longer need therapy or you don’t find it helpful anymore, you can cancel the membership at any time. This subscription plant includes phone calls, video sessions, and unlimited messages. Customer service ReGain customer service is available through the contact form on the website. Even though the platform doesn’t offer a phone number, according to the reviews, customers received responses quickly. Pros Reliable platform with a comprehensive network of therapists All counselors are professional and experienced The site is very secure and protected Both partners can participate in the sessions Affordable prices Cons No mobile app A computer matches clients with therapists It may take several days to be matched with a therapist #5. Pride Counseling - Affordable Online Therapy Site For LGBTQ Community The last but not least platform for online therapy we’re going to review is focused on the needs of the LGBTQ community. We all know that many therapists generally have experience with individuals who identify the same as their biological characteristics and are sexually oriented toward the opposite sex. That’s not a crime. That’s only because transitioning or getting out of the closet is very difficult, especially in more conservative places where people are not open-minded. The pressure and anxiety you may feel while looking for your undiscovered identity or when you try to suppress the feelings you have for an individual of the same sex are devastating, exhausting, and challenging. Therefore, therapists need to have the knowledge and experience to help you overcome those issues, accept who you are, and focus on the quality of your life. Fortunately, Pride Counseling is a safe space for individuals of the LGBTQ community. It’s one of the best online therapy site with professional counselors and reasonable prices. Features Pride Counseling is one of the most protected platforms you can find on the internet. The company uses tons of security systems and encryption that can freely guarantee your safety. For starters, you can permanently delete the messages you have sent. Moreover, the texts you’ll exchange with your counselor are protected by 256-bit encryption, commonly known as bank-grade protection. The database is also encrypted. Thus, if the data gets stolen by a third party by any chance, it will become useless. When it comes to your privacy, Pride Counseling offers another excellent feature. You can choose a nickname instead of your real name, and you don’t need to share contact information. However, like in most places, you’ll have to give your therapist an emergency phone number. Communication methods To sign in to this platform, you’ll have to answer several questions about your personality and the issues you want to work on. Depending on your answers, the platform will match you with a particular therapist who should fit your preferences and the problems you’re facing. After finding a suitable counselor, you can have four types of communication. Pride Counseling offers video and phone sessions, offline messaging, and live chat. All methods, except if you want to exchange messages with your therapist, require booking, i.e. you’ll have to schedule an appointment. Pride Counseling’s fields of expertise Saying that this platform offers online therapy for the LGBTQ community is just not enough. We saw multiple articles that use this sentence, and to tell the truth, it didn’t make sense to us. What do they mean by “LGBTQ therapy”? Are people from this community different from the others? Do they have different issues? When we run into those types of articles, we can’t help but feel frustrated. It seems like the writers think that an individual from the LGBTQ community can have only one problem in their life and that usually is - not being accepted by other people. Enough with the nonsense. The people from the LGBTQ community are just like everyone else. They have the same problems, difficulties in everyday life, jobs, families, relationships, mental health problems, health problems, loans to pay, anxieties, and fears. Plus, they have multiple other reasons to visit an online therapist, including peer pressure, bullying, troubles with identity, and sexual orientation. That’s why Pride Counseling is so good at its job. It collaborates with numerous licensed counselors with experience in multiple areas, especially in dealing with identity acceptance and overcoming trauma. Price Pride Counseling has a simple billing method. The company will automatically charge your credit card every four weeks. But don’t worry because you can cancel the subscription any time you want for whatever reason you have. The price you’ll pay depends on multiple factors, such as your issues, preferred communication methods, and your location. Also, it may depend on the therapist’s availability. Either way, the therapy generally costs between $60 and $90 per week. Of course, depending on your location, you may be charged even $120 per week. Customer service Pride Counseling can be proud of many things, but customer service isn’t one of them. You can contact the support representatives only through a contact form found on the website. And even though clients have very positive feedback regarding the therapists, many complained that the support team sometimes takes time to respond. Pros Licensed counselors with experience in LGBTQ-related problems Multiple communication methods are available Secure and protected platform Clients can cancel subscriptions at any time Cons Not all counselors are LGBTQ community members There are no therapist bios on the website No free trial A computer does the matching process How We Made The List Of Best Online Therapists For Professional Therapy? Given that many so-called companies try to sell their services, our mission to find the best online counseling for better mental health was very challenging. We wanted to provide you with information about platforms that can actually help you and not only take your money. Therefore, we had to go a long way before creating this list. Here are some of the criteria we used to avoid all useless online therapies and present you only with the best ones. Security We understand that security is a No.1 priority when it comes to mental health therapy. Many people refuse to go to a face-to-face session because they don’t feel comfortable or even are afraid and anxious. Those fears and doubts may be more extended regarding online therapy mainly because this method is relatively new. That said, we chose five platforms that have superior security systems. They use bank-grade encryption and multiple other technologies to provide their clients with safety and comfort. Communication methods Communication methods were another essential standard in our research. We looked for platforms that offer multiple session types. Thus you’ll have to decide how to communicate with your counselor and slowly build up confidence. Customer experience Mental health is a very sensitive topic which is why so many people refuse to talk with a therapist, let alone write reviews about services of that nature. Therefore, when we found reviews from people who felt strong and confident enough to speak openly about their journeys, we knew that these platforms did a great job. These companies are highly reputable and respected. That’s because most of the customers are pleased with the services and gladly recommend them to others. Factors To Consider In Online Therapy Options For Better Mental Health Conditions: Since finding a reliable telehealth platform is a bit challenging these days, we have prepared a special section where we’ll talk about several crucial factors that can prepare you for your search. We believe that you should summarize all information available before making any decisions. Thus, you’ll avoid possible negative consequences of making a poor choice. Before checking some platform’s features, we think that you should determine your issues and why you may benefit from online therapy in the first place. Also, it’s important to understand how these sessions go so that you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Let’s check the factors we recommend you consider when searching for a mental health online therapy! Therapist network The first indicator of a reliable and quality company is its network of therapists. It doesn’t matter whether the counselors work for the company or are independent, and the platform works as a matchmaker as long as they’re licensed consultants. We strongly advise you to stay away from companies that hire self-proclaimed amateur therapists. Even though online therapy isn’t a replacement for medical care and treatment, you should still consult with professional and experienced advisors. Service diversity This factor is closely related to the previous one. If an individual claims that they have the knowledge and experience in all areas of mental health concerns, you shouldn’t continue the sessions with them. That’s because mental health is a complex area that includes numerous separate fields. Even though those fields are interconnected, one can’t have all the knowledge. Therefore, we recommend you choose a platform that offers plenty of counselors. That way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to switch therapists according to your needs in the future. Communication methods Again, this is a very significant factor to consider before signing in. We know that platforms that offer video sessions are the most popular in the telehealth industry, hence the most expensive. However, if you’re not comfortable with having a virtual face-to-face session, you should pay for that subscription plan, even if it’s considered the best. The same goes for vice versa situations where you’re interested in video consultations, but the platform offers only messages. We recommend you choose a company that offers multiple communication methods. Thus, you can start low, slowly build a connection with your therapist, and switch to a different communication approach. Security As we mentioned earlier in this article, security is one of the most important features when it comes to selecting an online therapy. Security and privacy are essential for any activity we’re doing online, such as shopping, paying bills, browsing, communicating with other people, etc. However, using the internet for mental health therapy requires much more protection. Thus, even those most vulnerable and anxious about going to a therapist can freely use the service without worrying that their data is in danger. That said, we suggest you pick a company that cares for its clients and their security. You should go to a safe place that uses high-tech security to protect your information. FAQs About Best Online Counseling & Telehealth Therapy: Q1.Will telehealth help me with anxiety? According to many studies, research, and surveys, telehealth has helped millions of people reduce and even eliminate anxiety symptoms. No one should say that it will definitely cure your anxiety because numerous factors impact the process. On the other hand, there’s no solid proof that face-to-face or methods known as traditional therapies will 100% help you. Therefore, while online therapy isn’t a substitute for a traditional visit to a physician, data shows that more and more people have positive results from using telehealth. Best Nootropics are also an alternative to drugs that ultimately betters mental health. Q2. Which mental health problems can be solved using online therapy? Companies that have platforms for online therapy collaborate with therapists with various skills and fields of expertise. Therefore, using telehealth can help overcome or relieve numerous mental health concerns, except for those people where the problem is severe. You can also use the best supplements for anxiety to relieve stress effectively. Some of the mental health problems that can be discussed and consulted for on an online session generally are: Anxiety and stress Sleeping issues Relationship problems Coping with grief Anger management Low self-esteem PTSD Trauma Emotional abuse Q3. Can teletherapy substitute traditional treatment? No, it can. Unlike traditional in-person sessions, telehealth therapists can’t prescribe drugs. Also, these forms of therapy are not recommended for treating severe mental illnesses, such as having suicidal thoughts, which require a professional treatment team, mental health institution, and regular supervision. Concluding - Best Virtual Therapy Apps To Treat Anxiety & Depression: As a farewell, we want to thank you for reading our article and for your patience to reach the end. We really hope that our reviews will help you find appropriate online therapy sites for your needs. Our hope comes from our research showing that these five companies have the best online therapy platforms you can find. Calmerry, OnlineTherapy, BetterHelp, ReGain, and Pride Counseling offer numerous fantastic features, superior security, and affordable prices. You can also search for licensed clinical social workers. Moreover, the money you’ll pay for the sessions is nothing compared to the benefits you may get from using telehealth. Contact Details Riya Tyagi riya@radrevenue.net

May 10, 2022 06:54 AM Central Daylight Time

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The Hidden Cost of Debt on Your Mental Health

YourUpdateTV

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and with 80% of Americans in debt amid inflation and rising interest rates one of the biggest factors impacting our mental health that not enough people are talking about is financial debt. Recently, licensed clinical psychologist and National Debt Relief Financial Wellness Board Member, Dr. Regine Muradian conducted a satellite media tour to discuss why self-care is important during challenging financial times. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/h_cczQ9fKS8 A recent survey by National Debt Relief sought to uncover “The Hidden Cost of Debt” to understand the spiraling impact of debt on mental and physical health. The national survey of two thousand Americans revealed a hunger to have a game plan in place so they feel confident in their ability to tackle debt while living their life mentally, physically and financially well. National Debt Relief has helped over 450,000 clients settle their debt by working with creditors and banks to negotiate down the total amount owed in as little as 24-48 months. What’s more, 95% of clients are in a better financial situation, and they are 4x more likely to reach their financial goals and save after one month of completing National Debt Relief’s program. Some of the survey findings include: 7 in 10 people feel like a black cloud hangs over them when they have to pay a bill or loan People lose 200 hours of sleep per year over their debt & have 3 debt nightmares a week 3 in 5 Americans have considered putting off marriage to avoid inheriting their partner’s debt 54% believe having a partner who is in debt is a major reason to get a divorce 69% of respondents said being in debt has made them withdraw from the things they love Continuing to look at the future, 3 in 4 want to pay off all debt so their children won’t have to suffer Nearly three-quarters of those polled wish there were tools and resources available to help them when they were at their worst in debt ( 73% ). While it is very important to deal with the monetary side of debt, it’s also critical to understand how our finances can have a toll on mental health and relationships with friends, relatives, and spouses. Dr. Muradian shares her tips and insights on the best ways to cope with and overcome the hidden costs and burden of debt: Establishing a plan for getting out of debt and get back in control Prioritizing self-care practices through the journey to support mental health, such as: Reframing thoughts by shifting from “I’m in debt” to “I have a plan to get out of debt”. Doing one activity each day for oneself like exercising or reading Having transparent conversations with loved ones (partner, spouse, family or friends) to avoid feelings of isolation. To get started on the path to financial stability, visit nationaldebtrelief.com or call 800-927-6955 for a free consultation. About Dr. Regine Muradian: Dr. Regine Muradian is a licensed clinical psychologist, children’s author, speaker, consultant and mental health advocate. In her clinical practice, Dr. Muradian works with children, adolescents, and adults who present with a wide range of emotional stressors. She specializes in Anxiety and is a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), ADHD, Depression, Eating Disorders/Body Image and Executive Functioning and Leadership Training. Dr. Muradian is also a specialist in Psychological, Personality and Neuropsychological Assessments. Dr. Muradian is fluent in French, Romanian, and incorporates her multicultural background and experiences in her clinical practice and trainings. Her focus is on helping people find their passion through exploring their inner strengths and bring these to the surface. There is no age limit to success as it all starts with an idea. How you generate and create that idea is the path to ultimate success. Dr. Muradian has been featured as a national renowned parent expert in outlets not limited to: Good Day LA, UK Talk Radio, WFLA Channel 8, Architectural Digest, FabFitFun, Huffington Post, MSN, CV Weekly, Thrive Global, and Healthline. About National Debt Relief: National Debt Relief (NDR), a BBB A+ Accredited business that helps consumers get out of debt and is committed to empowering people on their financial journey, bringing them back to living their lives and away from focusing on debt. NDR offers a successful alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling or taking on new loans. As a top-rated debt relief company in the U.S., NDR is proud to have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people on their journey to become debt-free. NDR wants to make sure clients succeed and have the best chance to regain control of their finances. Founded in 2009, NDR is values-centric; built on integrity, growth and connection. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 09, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Telos “Mission” NFT Challenge - 175,000 in Crypto Prizes!

Telos Foundation

Telos Blockchain (ticker: TLOS) presents its “Mission NFT Challenge” for digital graphic creators, offering a very attractive prize pool to be shared among contest winners. Telos believes that NFTs are both an art form and a pivoting technology that should be easily and affordably accessible to the masses. As such, Telos strives to facilitate the lowest barrier of entry into the emerging field of NFTs. Utilizing Byt.io, the latest leading NFT marketplace to integrate Telos, end-users will mint and trade their NFTs at unprecedented fast speeds while enjoying industry-low gas fees. The Telos EVM will also offer a congestion-free minting experience that leaves no carbon footprint or any of the front running / MEV that constantly plagues Ethereum users. Furthermore, contract deployment is a fraction of the cost and significantly faster on Telos when compared to virtually every other network, making it a far superior ecosystem to build on. Transactions are instant on Telos! Some Contest Details: The contest opens for registration on Monday May 9th, 12:00 pm EST and participants can submit their projects by Friday, June 24th, 12:00 pm EST. Public Voting on the submissions will take place between Monday May 23rd, 12:00 pm EST to Thursday, June 30th, at 12:00 pm EST. Twenty finalists will be announced on Friday July 1st, 12:00 pm EST and the top five winners will be selected and announced on Tuesday July 5th at 11:00 am EST. Telos encourages all digital artists and aspiring NFT projects to compete in this contest to win one of 5 prizes worth 25,000 TLOS each. Furthermore, an honorable pick by The Big Gooey, Telos’ in-house NFT curator, will award one winner with an additional 50,000 TLOS. The contest and voting will be hosted on the Taikai platform (also built on telos), which recently completed a very successful hackathon for the Telos Ignite contest. The public will vote on all submissions to select the top 20 projects after which a panel of judges will decide on the top five. This maiden NFT contest is inviting artists to bring their NFT projects (ERC 721) and deploy them on the tEVM where they can be minted to be sold on the Byt marketplace or other secondary markets. All additional details and criteria can be found on the Taikai platform through the following link: https://taikai.network/en/telos-foundation/hackathons/nftp-slug/overview About Telos Live since 2018, Telos Blockchain (ticker: TLOS) is a third-generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper, and Native C++ smart contracts. Telos provides full EVM/Solidity support with fixed low-cost gas fees and no front running and, more uniquely, offers a path to fee-less transactions via its robust native C++ smart contract support. Even while operating as a Net Zero Blockchain, Telos still sustainably supports hundreds of millions of transactions per day, produces blocks in 0.5 second intervals (on a first-in-first-out basis, eliminating front running on the network), and securely validates transactions via a credibly neutral and globally decentralized block producer network. As a result, the Telos blockchain has the throughput needed to facilitate and scale the thriving Metaverse / Web 3.0 landscape better than any other blockchain in existence. Its performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, credible decentralization, and end-user fairness. Telos harnesses its power by utilizing tight C++ on the frontend and a custom WASM runtime environment on the backend. About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Telos NFT Curator The Big Gooey thebiggooey@telosfoundation.io Byt Co-founder Will Perkins will@byt.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

May 09, 2022 11:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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OPPO Research Institute Calls for Innovative Proposals on Inclusion and Health with a Total Grant of up to USD $460,000

OPPO

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach – 9 May 2022 - OPPO today announced the OPPO Research Institute Innovation Accelerator to empower technology professionals and entrepreneurs that inspiration matters to bring innovative solutions to life and create a better future together, based on the brand value proposition of "Inspiration Ahead". The Innovation Accelerator is being held by the OPPO Research Institute and Microsoft for Startups as a strategic partner. The program aims to encourage all technology innovators to solve some of the most pressing issues facing humanity even amid times of uncertainty. OPPO Research Institute Innovation Accelerator – Inspiration Matters Centered on the theme of ‘Virtuous Innovation’, OPPO is looking to recruit proposals under two entry categories — Accessible Technology and Digital Health. Following the evaluation of proposals submitted by participating teams or individuals, up to ten proposals will be awarded grants of USD $46,000 each, as well as further opportunities for investment opportunities, technical support, research and commercial partnerships, and promotion at global events. Event Schedule “OPPO believes deeply in the idea of ‘Virtuous Innovation’. As we continue to explore new technology, we remain dedicated to doing so in a way that puts people first. Through technology, we are attempting to solve some of the biggest issues facing humanity so that we can create a better world for all,” said Levin Liu, Vice President and Head of the OPPO Research Institute. “With the severity of global issues like aging populations, poor public health, and digital divide increasing day by day, we could not rely on our own efforts to provide solutions. We have therefore initiated the Innovation Accelerator to empower likeminded innovators to solve these big issues together with us using the power of technology.” Grants and technical support aim to help promising entrepreneurs realize their visions The 2022 Innovation Accelerator will open online applications beginning May 8, 2022, and winners will be announced after three months of preliminary evaluations and Demo Day roadshows [1]. OPPO will provide all winning teams or individuals with a financial grant, as well as support to help them further implement and promote their ideas. Each winning proposal will be entitled to the following incentives: Approximately USD $46,000 (300,000 RMB) in grants Partnership and funding opportunities Commercialization of the proposed via integration with OPPO products Publicity and demo opportunities at global tech events Support from OPPO’s R&D team including opportunities to meet and present ideas to industry professionals Proposals will be evaluated under the supervision of a professional Judging Committee, where they will be assessed against their ability to meet four key criteria: Feasibility, Innovation & Originality, Social Value, and Long-term Potential. OPPO also invited a judging committee of experts, academics, and senior professionals in the field of technology and innovation to help identify and accelerate the development of high-potential proposals. “Startups are home to a whole trove of innovative technologies that can provide innovative digital solutions to various industries,” said James Chou, CEO and Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups, Greater China Region, Japan, and Korea. “With a decade of experience in China, Microsoft for Startups is dedicated to building an open and collaborative platform for startups and established companies to innovate together. We look forward to working with leading smartphone brand OPPO to develop innovative solutions for a variety of industries, as well as helping research and commercial applications support each other.” OPPO has also established a separate referral award to encourage members of the public to refer outstanding innovation cases for consideration by the Innovation Accelerator Judging Committee. Members of the public can submit referrals through the OPPO website during the application stage, with prizes available for every successful proposal that makes it through the preliminary evaluation, Demo Day, and finalist stages. In addition, OPPO is planning three international roadshows in Hyderabad, India, Tel Aviv, Israel and the United States. OPPO joins force with likeminded partners to deliver ‘Inspiration Ahead’ Spirit Since its onset at the start of 2020, the global Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of billions of people around the world. At the same time, the fast development of technology is leaving certain disadvantage groups behind, creating new challenges for them as a result. As a company that takes its responsibility and commitments to society to heart through its brand mission of ‘Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World’, OPPO hopes to address these issues and others like them through technology, helping to bring greater happiness and wellbeing to more people. Through its continued pursuit of ‘Virtuous Innovation’, OPPO has accumulated rich experience and expertise in accessible technology and digital health, including extensive user insights and applications. Among these are its work into accessible design and adaptation for elderly users, for example its Color Vision Enhancement technology on the Find X3 series, which assists users with color vision deficiencies. With ColorOS operating system and other products, OPPO has also introduced user interfaces adapted specifically for elderly users, enabling them to enjoy the benefits and convenience of technology. In order to facilitate health management among global users, OPPO has also founded the OPPO Health Lab, partnering with professional medical institutions and sports academies to develop innovative digital health products in both hardware and software. Through its research and development, OPPO hopes to help people improve their health through preventive healthcare. OPPO knows that its power to change to world as single organization is limited. Through the Innovation Accelerator, OPPO hopes to connect with other likeminded individuals, teams, and organizations to identify and develop high-potential solutions so that they can benefit those who most need them. OPPO intends to build the Innovation Accelerator into a long-term platform that addresses the most pressing public issues by attracting the best solutions from the brightest minds around the world, ultimately enabling more people to benefit from Virtuous Innovation. Applications for the OPPO Innovation Accelerator will be open from May 8 to June 30, 2022. To submit a proposal, refer a proposal, or learn more about the program, please visit the official OPPO Innovation Accelerator website at oppo.com/en/proposal/ [1] All times are China Standard Time (UTC +8). About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 50 countries and regions with more than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

May 09, 2022 03:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Gym Aesthetics and OliveX announce the Gym A Club NFT project with five-time Kickboxing and name Muay Thai World Champion Alain the black panther as global brand ambassador

Gym Aesthetics

STUTTGART, GERMANY - Media OutReach - 6 May 2022 - Gym Aesthetics, the German high-tech fitness apparel company, and OliveX (BVI) Limited, the digital health and fitness company focused on creating a fitness metaverse, a spin off from Animoca Brands, are thrilled to reveal further plans about Gym A Club NFT collection launch and its utility in the Sandbox. The Gym A Club NFT collection will be launched in June 2022 in mystery boxes. The minting will be paid in DOSE token via Gym Aesthetic’s Sandbox landing page. A collection that redefines gamified fitness Challenging the status quo of the standard profile photo NFT, all Gym A Club NFT holders can enjoy various Sandbox utilities and benefits such as participating in gamified fitness experience with their NFT avatar, including fitness and health entertainment, sports events and mini-games on the DOSE Fitness Metaverse within Sandbox. The collection aims to encourage individuals to become more active in the physical world through the move-to-earn model, rewarding individuals for their physical efforts. Gym A Club NFT holders can also earn DOSE, the utility token used within the DOSE Fitness Metaverse on Sandbox and also OliveX’s own play-to-earn audio adventures - Dustland Runner and Dustland Rider. Gym A Club NFT holders can also use their NFT to access a range of GA exclusives, merchandise, events, and much more. Kickboxing & Muay Thai Champion as an avatar of Gym Aesthetics NFT collection Adhering to Gym Aesthetics’ core value of ‘triumph in every battle’, the Gym A Club NFT Collection will enter the cage with global ambassador and first heavyweight kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion NFT - Alain Ngalani (The black panther) leading the collection. The five-time kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion will soon become the first GA Ambassador in the Fitness Metaverse, providing holders of the Alain Ngalani avatar NFT a chance to utilise their favourite ambassador within The Sandbox. Encompassed within the storyline of the collection series, Alain acts as a renowned muscular fitness expert, mirroring his influence and expertise in the physical world. Once the Gym A Club NFT collection series is in full swing, it will debut the NFT avatar Ligia; one of the leading actresses in the Gym A Club NFT collection series. Ligia is a wealthy girl, and although she is weak, upon seeing all of the casualties and death amid war, she couldn’t stand to just sit idly by without action. Therefore, she decided to train up, learn boxing skills, and march onward to protect herself and the disadvantaged in her community. For more information and upcoming announcements, please visit the Gym Aesthetics channel and OliveX Fitness Metaverse discord: https://discord.com/invite/cccJ84b2Z8 Secure Your Exclusive Whitelist Spot To get the exclusive Gym Aesthetics x OliveX NFT whitelist, please join the 2 nd Gleam campaign. Details please visit: https://gleam.io/uoXpP/alain-ngalani-x-ga-gleam-whitelist About Gym Aesthetics Founded in 2013, Gym Aesthetics is a German high-tech fitness apparel brand appealing to both the aesthetics and the functional needs of its customers worldwide. Its initial flashy wide stringers and thigh hugging shorts stormed the German bodybuilding community with enormous success. 2017 marked a new chapter for Gym Aesthetics when an Asian fund company spotted its potential and invested in the German brand to further reinforce its brand image, and expand its product range and market share globally. Now Gym Aesthetics is devoted to bring unique fitness and wellness experience to metaverse. Website: https://us.gymaesthetics.com/ About OliveX OliveX is a digital health and fitness company delivering unique user experiences through fitness gamification, augmented reality, and play-to-earn experiences. The OliveX fitness metaverse provides platforms that enable real-world fitness to merge with the digital universe in order to engage consumers with brands, influencers, and coaches. OliveX is designed for those who exercise at home, at the gym, or outdoors in over 170 countries. Restrictions on our Games, Fitness Metaverse, and $DOSE Restrictions due to compliance regulations for different jurisdictions apply. Residents from certain jurisdictions may not earn $DOSE or participate in NFT sales and/or campaigns in our fitness metaverse. Additional restrictions may apply depending on the type of game or experience you are attempting to access. Contact Details Gym Aesthetics Roy Tsang, Digital Marketing Manager corporate@gymaesthetics.com Gym Aesthetics Susanna, Digital Marketing Officer corporate@gymaesthetics.com

May 06, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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