The Science Behind Rethink Wellbeing
For our current programs, we rely on cutting-edge self-help content combined with peer support.
Self-help content such as Digital therapeutics (DTx) can be cost-effective and scalable solutions to provide psychological support where and whenever needed. Meta-analyses show that, when guided by trained laymen, e.g. peers, DTxs can be just as effective and engaging as professional one-on-one therapy. Also, building strong peer relationships strengthens engagement as well as mental resilience itself.
The beauty of this is that a peer guide needs only to be trained once to deliver a diverse portfolio of digital interventions. We use established guidance frameworks, such as peer counseling and support groups, and combine these with proven digital self-help content such as audiobooks, workbooks, and digital courses.
This way, we aim to develop a system improving mental resilience and productivity in the Effective Altruism community. After that, we will scale to other countries and communities most affected and neglected.
Cost-Effectiveness
The program is designed to maximize effects while minimizing resources needed. We use cutting-edge psychotherapeutic and behavior change methods and deliver those via a layperson-guided self-help program. The format has shown to be as effective and engaging as professional 1:1 therapy in multiple meta-analyses while costing 3 times less in our case (e.g., Baumeister et al., 2014).
In our pre-post effectiveness study, the program not only reduced suffering for participants but also boosted their productivity. Based on the available data, we assume at least an increase of 6 working hours per week for 1.5 years per participant. If valuing the work at a low rate of $24/hour ($50k/year), this would equate to a $10,000 increase in working income per participant and is around the cost per two lives saved (~$5,000 is the cost of one life saved via GiveWell’s top charities). In other words, participating in the program would give each person the power to save roughly two additional lives.
You can find a more detailed analysis and a link to our cost-effectiveness analysis in our EA Forum post.
Pre-Post Effectiveness Study
Participants (7 groups, N = 42) significantly improved after 8-12 weeks (all p<.05):
Increase in productivity (working hours) by ~40% (measured by WPAI:GH)
Plus ~1 point on life satisfaction 0-10 scales (plus ~1.5 WELLBYs if this lasts for 1.5 years) (measured by WHO BREF, ONS-4, MHC SF)
This is greater than the increases seen from beginning a romantic relationship (+0.59) or finding employment (+0.70), when compared with findings from other cross-sectional studies
Decrease in mental health burden by 16-28% (measured by PHQ8, GAD7, and BSI)
This includes symptoms of anxiety, depression, executive dysfunction, and interpersonal sensitivity
With only 7% (3 of 42) dropping out, which is lower than in 1:1 therapy
Very high user satisfaction for both participants and facilitators, >30% of participants willing and able to pay at least partly
More than 50% of participants feel significantly more positive about or committed to the EA community after the program
