The Toucan App, Speaking and Listening our Way to Mental Wellness
The Toucan App, Speaking and Listening our Way to Mental Wellness
Mental health has taken a whole new light since the pandemic, but many people still find it difficult to ask for help.
“We all have everyday stresses related to relationships and career. Many people are still overcoming the stigma related to therapy. As I thought through the barriers to accessing those options, I thought why not do a peer-based platform?”
Driven by her personal experiences during the pandemic, Jane Buescher launched Toucan, a mobile audio platform for users to anonymously open up to someone facing a similar life stage or event.
One of the biggest features is anonymity. “Even with our closest friends, we may filter ourselves. We fear judgment, even if they don’t judge us - or we don’t want them to worry.”
Toucan focuses on providing a very open, unfiltered space for people to share. And while some may be cautious about opening up to people they don’t know, Jane reminds us that we need to give our peers more credit.
“We are driving so many industries through peers, like Uber and Airbnb to name a few. Ten years ago, it would have been unimaginable, but we are now moving towards a peer-based, knowledge-sharing community.”
A Cost-Efficient and Anonymous Option
For many people, the cost of going to a therapist can be a barrier, so Jane sees Toucan as a bridge for people who don’t feel quite ready to take that financial leap.
“There are a lot of reasons why people aren’t reaching out through traditional professional therapy. The cost barrier makes it inaccessible for a lot of people. There’s also a huge gap in supply. People are looking for alternate solutions. If we as peers can be a support to each other, it can be a bridge for when people decide it’s time for therapy.”
While mental health apps like Toucan are starting to pop up, there’s still a lot of work left to do to destigmatize mental health and empower people to use these services.
“I think people need to understand that mental health doesn’t mean an extreme mental illness. Mental health is like physical health - it fluctuates and you have to take care of it. You can be having a poor mental health day and be thinking, someone has it much worse than I do, so I don’t need to find care. This shouldn’t be our approach. We need to start normalizing mental health the way we see physical health.”
Jane Buescher, co-founder of The Toucan App.
After reflecting on her mental health journey, Jane hopes people who are unsure about their options simply start small. “You can start opening up to trusted friends or family on categories that you feel less vulnerable talking about. If you don't feel comfortable speaking with close friends, Toucan is a great outlet for sharing your feelings. There are many steps in between to get into the habit of interacting with other people and staying connected.”
As for the future of Toucan: “Our mission is for this to be a tool that anyone can use. We launched in February [2021] and we are excited to see people coming together, empowering each other, and creating spaces to connect.”