YouROK Corp.

YouROK Corp.

Health, Wellness & Fitness

Menlo Park, CA 398 followers

K'Bro, the emotional resiliency app

About us

YouROK Corp. was founded by Patrina Mack, a seasoned product development executive who has taken products from ideation to launch to IPO. She has brought her passion for adolescent mental health based on her lived experience raising her son to address the adolescent mental health crisis. The YouROK solution was built by a team of experts including psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, social workers, AI/ML global leaders, and an award winning game designer along with youth who informed what would make the solution engaging. The growing impact of pediatric mental health disorders is driving up costs for schools, children’s hospitals and health care delivery systems. Schools are struggling to help students recover academically due to difficulties with distance learning and the behavioral challenges cause by the pandemic. Emergency rooms are taxed with a growth in hospitalizations due to suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States. For children being treated therapeutically it’s extremely difficult to measure progress and know when to stop therapy or when to change treatment. And that's if they can even find a therapist to treat them. YouROK provides the data to determine if therapeutic invention is needed, and for clinicians, additional insights between sessions. Using evidence-informed interventions gamified to capture youth engagement YouROK helps children develop the coping skills they need to prevent the onset of mental health challenges or better manage their condition between therapy sessions. YouROK's low cost, kid-friendly experience helps scale mental health services so kids improve their own emotional self-care and engage more effectively in life regardless of diagnosis. YouROK won the Impact Award from the American Psychiatric Association and is one of 19 companies included in One Mind's PsyberGuide (OMPG) Teen App Guide.

Industry
Health, Wellness & Fitness
Company size
2-10 employees
Headquarters
Menlo Park, CA
Type
Privately Held
Founded
2017
Specialties
Mental Health Game App, digitalmentalhealth, pediatricmentalhealth, and teenmentalhealth

Locations

Employees at YouROK Corp.

Updates

  • Adults want to make smartphones for adolescents the big boogey man so much so that some schools are preventing students from bringing their phones to schools. There are far more serious challenges that get swept under the rug when we don't look at root cause. K'Bro is a cause for good and helps adolescents build their emotional resiliency. Instead of trying to stuff the genie back in the bottle let's make sure we're making smartphone safe AND helpful. https://lnkd.in/gK528D_x

  • We may remember how terrible our teenage years were, but do we fully remember the scope of emotions that came with it? The best way to make a teen feel supported is to sympathize and validate the emotions they are feeling. In this case, knowing what emotions teenagers are experiencing becomes essential. In a recent Harvard study, researchers examined what they call “emotional differentiation”. This is the ability to know and differentiate the emotions that you are experiencing. Having high emotional differentiation is a sign of great mental health. When you are able to know what you are feeling, you are less likely to handle tough situations through poor coping methods like drugs and alcohol. The study had subjects from the ages of 5 to 25 look at different images and describe one of five emotions. What was found was that teenagers tended to experience multiple emotions all at once, but that they were not able to distinguish each one. Toddlers and adults were better at knowing what an emotion felt like on an individual level. So, should we expect our teenagers to mature and grow out of this? Do we hope we can turn back the clock to when our 4 year old knew they were terribly hungry, along with everyone else? A realistic approach is to teach teens the skills of self regulation and mindfulness.  YouROK’s app “K’Bro” has multiple resources for children to become more familiar with the emotions they experience. They can journal, reach out for peer support, and name their emotions all while being able to play an adventurous game. https://lnkd.in/gGTWAfJt

  • The younger population is in great distress and in desperate need of our help. The CDC has reported that 40% of U.S. students experience consistent sadness or hopelessness. 20% of these students also reported seriously considering suicide. The transitional period of growth that adolescents experience is challenging, emotional, and highly formative for their development. In our current day, teenagers are feeling the effects of political division, global health crises, and climate anxiety. Add to that list a constant flow of digital stimulation and an overabundance of information; it’s  no wonder that we need more support for their path of ups and downs, now more than ever. YouROK is a part of the solution to managing our teen mental health crisis. We provide a foundation for emotional resiliency, which sets up our students to manage these inevitable sad emotions. https://lnkd.in/gVRhHKjb @YouROK Corp. #teenmentalhealth #studentmentalhealth

    CDC: 2 in 5 High Schoolers Report Persistent Sadness

    CDC: 2 in 5 High Schoolers Report Persistent Sadness

    jamanetwork.com

  • Our YouROK community is deeply diverse, and we celebrate the richness of our cultural differences. While mental health discussions have become more visible in mainstream U.S. media, significant barriers remain—particularly within the Pacific Islander community—where seeking help is still often seen as a source of shame. Research has shown that despite decreasing overall suicide rates, suicide rates of Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. have been rising. Why do so many of our Pacific Islanders feel this isolated in their struggles? At the heart of this issue lies a powerful cultural stigma surrounding mental health care. For many in the Pacific Islander community, particularly men, the act of reaching out for help is viewed as a sign of weakness. Many individuals have shared that admitting a need for mental health support challenges their role as the "strong pillar" of their families—the person others turn to for guidance and stability. To ask for help, in this context, is perceived as undermining their duty to be the unshakable rock for their loved ones. This stigma is compounded by a broader cultural reluctance to discuss mental health openly. In many Pacific Islander communities, the idea of seeking therapy or professional support is still foreign, seen as an activity associated with Western, “white” culture. There is a pervasive belief that doing so would negate their strength and resilience, concepts central to their identity. A shared “warrior mindset”—the idea that one should endure and overcome challenges alone—can prevent individuals from acknowledging or addressing their emotional needs. When a Pacific Islander is asked what happens when a loved one requires mental health care, the typical responses are an “ER visit” or a “psychiatric stay”—extreme measures reserved for crises. This response reveals a lack of accessible, preventative care within the community. While mental health crises are devastating, what’s often missing is the proactive support needed before things escalate to that point. This is where YouROK’s app, K’Bro, steps in. Designed to provide discreet, accessible mental health resources, K’Bro aims to break down the cultural barriers and stigma that keep people from seeking support. By normalizing the conversation around mental health and offering an avenue for prevention, K’Bro seeks to change the narrative. Ensuring that taking care of one’s mind becomes as natural as caring for one's body, and ultimately, one’s life. https://lnkd.in/g8W_uazu

    How Pacific Islanders View Therapy—and Why That Matters

    How Pacific Islanders View Therapy—and Why That Matters

    greatergood.berkeley.edu

  • Why K’Bro is a great asset to SEL curriculum SEL empowers young people to live an authentic and fulfilling life, with healthy relationships, emotional regulation, and purpose. YouROK provides a safe place for students to practice the theories they learn in SEL and are too embarrassed to share in class. Self-management is a key component of SEL. Being able to self-manage requires the skill of noticing and regulating one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Young people should be able to readily adapt and know what needs to be expressed or not expressed in order to achieve certain goals and participate in various situations. An example of this is: A middle school student is struggling in their Physical Education class. They aren’t very fast or coordinated but they want to get better. The next time their class runs a mile, the student could easily give up and not participate. OR, the student can take a deep breath, tell himself “ I won’t be afraid to be seen trying” and go on that run with their class. YouROK created K’Bro with multiple facets to develop a child’s Social Emotional Learning Skills in an emotional safe environment. YouROK reinforces the theory in SEL curriculum while giving students a safe place to practice.  The ability to have tools and coping methods during high stress and challenging times is paramount to every student’s success. Be a part of the mental health solution, engage with YouROK. https://lnkd.in/gkgzh-pX

    Learn More About SEL

    Learn More About SEL

    https://ggie.berkeley.edu

  • Practicing Gratitude Daily, Regardless of the Occasion Holidays are tough. There’s a lot of societal pressure for us to be with family that may be unhealthy for us and to do things we don’t have the financial or emotional capacity of doing. Thanksgiving is coming up, and we all know what is expected is for food to be shared with your friends and family. If this isn’t your thing, it doesn’t have to be. Societal expectations aside, we believe that one of the most powerful aspects of Thanksgiving is simply the gratitude we express. Gratitude has a profound impact, not just on this special day, but as a daily practice. For students, in particular, cultivating gratitude can be incredibly beneficial to their emotional well-being, resilience, and overall success. In fact, research shows that practicing gratitude is linked to a wide range of positive outcomes, and it’s something that can be integrated into school life, both in and out of the classroom. According to Greater Good in Education, “Researchers usually define (gratitude) as a feeling or state that results from both (1) recognizing a good thing, such as a positive outcome or gift we’ve received, and (2) recognizing that this good thing came from outside ourselves”. Even if a young person’s life is really difficult there is always some positive they can focus on to help improve their mindset.  Reminding students to practice noticing the good in their lives leads to more positive emotions. These positive emotions are protective against negative events that may occur, since over time they build a sort of resiliency cocoon. Gratitude is more than just a holiday sentiment—it’s a mindset that can transform how we approach life. For students, practicing gratitude is a simple yet profound way to build emotional resilience, improve mental health, and foster a positive, supportive school community. So, this Thanksgiving, and every day, let’s remember the power of saying "thank you" and recognizing the good in our lives. K’Bro has a “What’s Up” space on the app where youth can express what they are grateful for. Putting their gratitude into words solidifies the positive feelings they are experiencing and can be beneficial to reflect on during more negative feeling states. https://lnkd.in/guYZSwkx.

    Gratitude for Students

    Gratitude for Students

    https://ggie.berkeley.edu

  • Why Should You Embrace the Use of YouROK’s emotional resilience app, K’Bro? The rise in technology has brought the innovation of mental health apps with it. YouROK developed K’Bro with the goal of preventing further decline in youth mental health. Why should you support a digital solution for mental health? Convenience: Having personalized support at a child’s fingertips makes having access to mental health resources easy. Low cost: We offer a subscription and family plans to stay connected while not breaking the bank. 24 hour access: Our app is there to support children whenever they need it. Therapists can not be there around the clock but our app can aid young people until their next appointment. Smooth introduction to mental health care: For children who are just starting their mental health journeys, K’Bro is a low pressure solution to ease into how they can start caring for their mental well-being. Learning how to manage mental health should not be overwhelming. K’Bro is not a substitute for mental health therapy provided by a trained and licensed professional.  K’Bro may mean fewer kids need care given the shortage of therapists and for those who do augment care in between therapy sessions.

  • Mental health apps are proving to be essential tools: A recent study was conducted to test if patients could get some mental relief from using evidence based mental health apps, in the process of them seeking higher levels of care. Michigan Medicine found, “The study shows that depression and anxiety symptoms, and suicidality, all decreased measurably when patients were assigned to mobile applications that incorporated mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioral therapy skills, or prompts that encouraged mood-enhancing activities”. This highlights the incredible potential of these apps for enhancing mental well-being, especially for those facing long wait times for therapy. K’Bro is an evidence informed game with the goal of cultivating emotional resilience and providing mental health support to youth. Since mental health waxes and wanes, having a resource at a child’s fingertips can help them get through a rough patch while awaiting further care. Let’s empower our youth with the tools they deserve. https://lnkd.in/eKzYUWYV

    Mental health apps may help those waiting for care, study finds

    Mental health apps may help those waiting for care, study finds

    michiganmedicine.org

  • Schools struggle to provide mental health care for the increasing mental health crisis Mental health rates continue to decline in school aged children. This is due to lingering effects of the pandemic; including the delayed emotional development caused by distance learning, lack of knowledge of coping tools, and a shortage of mental health resources everywhere, especially in rural areas. According to an article from Education Week, “55 percent of schools in the survey reported they did not have enough mental health staff to manage students’ needs, 54 percent said they struggled with inadequate funding, and 49 percent said they couldn’t find enough licensed mental health professionals”. Suffering with mental health issues can show up in each child differently, depending on their age group. Elementary schoolers that are struggling show aggressive or lashing out behaviors. Kids in highschool may withdraw emotionally and physically— leading to absenteeism. Currently, a lot of the emotional load is being put onto our teachers and school staff. This is not acceptable; we need more effective solutions that do not disrupt the teacher's own well-being. YouROK is part of this solution. Our emotional resiliency app serves as a supplementary tool for children who are experiencing mental health issues. By equipping them with strategies to manage life stressors, we can enhance their self-esteem and empower them to lead fulfilling and balanced lives. https://lnkd.in/eQhaD5Xn

    Schools Feel Less Equipped to Meet Students' Mental Health Needs Than a Few Years Ago

    Schools Feel Less Equipped to Meet Students' Mental Health Needs Than a Few Years Ago

    edweek.org

Similar pages

Funding

YouROK Corp. 2 total rounds

Last Round

Pre seed

US$ 100.0K

See more info on crunchbase