Faresa, IDEWE, Cegeka, and KU Leuven launch innovative research project to prevent burnout and depression

D-STRESS brings together leaders from healthcare and technology to explore a digital conversation partner. This tool aims to enrich existing screening and support for chronic stress provided by healthcare professionals, creating a blended coaching approach. This approach is designed to help individuals better manage chronic stress and is customized based on information the user provides through questionnaires and a smart wristband.

The value of the digital conversation partner lies in its ability to detect the early signs of worsening chronic stress that may lead to burnout or depression. The focus is on how individuals recover after encountering a stressful situation. The project partners also aim to address the careless use of unsafe chatbots that today reach vulnerable audiences.

The ambition to prevent burnout and depression at an early stage is highly relevant to society. Of the half a million people in Belgium on disability, one-fifth suffer from burnout or depression, resulting in annual costs of €478 million and €1.2 billion, respectively. During the first three months of incapacity for work, support for employees offers the best chances for reintegration. Unfortunately, mental healthcare is inadequate during this critical period due to waiting lists or a shortage of specialized care.

Integrating technology—compliant with strict safety and regulatory standards—into existing systems is the solution. The focus of the D-Stress project is on how the digital conversation partner can provide more efficient monitoring, while the healthcare professional remains in control of decision-making. This is only possible if the digital conversation partner can explain the reasoning behind certain conclusions through an easy-to-use communication system.
The consortium has received €2 million in support for this project from VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), via MEDVIA (the innovation cluster for better health).

Prof. Dr. Nele Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Faresa:
“Faresa is pioneering mental health technology with 15 years of experience in mental healthcare for individuals and employees. We already have our smartphone app Soulseed for the prevention of depression and look forward to adding the digital conversation partner from D-Stress. The goal of our technology is to support healthcare professionals and individuals, whether in regular healthcare or Employee Assistance Programs. Companies, governments, health insurance funds, and insurance brokers are key stakeholders or payers who will benefit from this research.”

IDEWE also sees potential in this initiative. Liesbeth Daenen, Team Lead of Innovation Projects at IDEWE, adds:
“We are proud to be part of this innovative project. D-STRESS will provide an important tool for addressing stress-related complaints early and strengthening mental resilience. We emphasize that this technology is a valuable addition to—rather than a replacement for—professional care by qualified (occupational) psychologists. At IDEWE, we see concrete opportunities to implement this solution in the well-being policies of our clients, supporting both employers and employees in their mental health.”