Unlocking Mental Health Insights Through Wearable Data: The TK Mental Health Score
- Written by: Thryve
- 4 minutes
In today’s world, wearable devices have become ubiquitous. From tracking steps and monitoring heart rate to analyzing sleep patterns, these devices provide a wealth of data about our daily lives. But how can we turn this data into actionable insights to improve our mental health? In collaboration with the Free University of Berlin and Thryve, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has developed an innovative tool—the Mental Health Score—to empower individuals to stay mentally healthy with the help of artificial intelligence.
Wearables Data: A Window Into Daily Life
Smartwatches and fitness trackers have transformed how people monitor their health. Nearly a third of Germans now use these devices regularly to track their activity levels, achieve fitness goals, and optimize training. Wearables continuously monitor metrics like pulse rate—recording up to 1,440 readings per day—track movement patterns, and even analyze environmental factors such as stress levels in urban versus green spaces.
Moreover, wearables provide a detailed picture of sleep patterns, documenting when users fall asleep, wake up, and experience interruptions. This vast amount of data reveals individual behavior patterns and health trends. It can even serve as an early warning system for potential health issues, including mental health challenges, by identifying subtle indicators like irregular sleep patterns, sedentary behavior, or increased stress levels.
Bridging Health Data Analytics and Mental Health
Recognizing the potential of health data analytics collected by wearables to support mental well-being, TK partnered with researchers and Thryve to explore this intersection. “We wanted to investigate how wearable data could be used for mental health,” explains Vivien Witte from TK’s “Supply Development” team. “Especially during the pandemic, many people felt overwhelmed, and we sought ways to identify early warning signs of mental health issues like depression.”
Through this collaboration, researchers analyzed anonymized tracker data from volunteer participants and compared it to clinical questionnaires assessing mental well-being. The outcome was the creation of an algorithm capable of assessing psychological stress levels based on wearable data.
Introducing the Mental Health Score
Launched in July 2023 and available through the TK Coach app, the Mental Health Score is a tool designed to help individuals monitor their mental well-being using their wearable data. Offered free to all TK insured persons, the score acts as an early warning system.
“If the score indicates a decline, users can take proactive steps to address their mental health or seek professional support,” says Witte. “It’s a way to use wearable data thoughtfully and mindfully, providing individuals with a clear signal to prioritize their mental health.”
Empowering Proactive Mental Health Care
Since its launch, the Mental Health Score has been met with enthusiastic reception, with a growing number of users adopting it. The tool is particularly timely, as mental health has become an increasingly pressing issue in the wake of the pandemic. By offering a low-threshold service that provides actionable insights, the Mental Health Score is a critical resource in supporting early interventions for mental health challenges.
The Role of Thryve
As a key partner in developing the Mental Health Score, Thryve brought its expertise in wearable data integration and insights to the project. Thryve’s platform harmonizes health data from diverse wearable devices, ensuring accuracy and usability for advanced analytics like the Mental Health Score.
With innovative tools like this, wearables are no longer just about tracking steps—they’re becoming integral to fostering holistic health and well-being. The Mental Health Score demonstrates how data and AI can work hand-in-hand to address one of the most pressing health concerns of our time: mental health.
Ready to see how wearable data can revolutionize healthcare? Book a demo and discover the future of health insights today.
