The mental health wellness sector is poised to expand as mental health issues continue to disrupt the world.
Every year, mental health disorders cost the global economy US$2.5 trillion. Companies that are helping society tackle this crisis have raised significant investment and gained widespread attention, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significant investments in the mental health space
In recent months, an increasing number of major investments have been made in the mental health space. Venture capital funding of US-based mental health startups totaled US$1.37 billion through the third quarter of 2020, outpacing the US$1.06 billion invested in 2019. Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel recently backed ATAI Life Sciences in a US$125 million funding round. The company is a Berlin-based start-up focused on producing psychedelic drugs for the treatment of mental health disorders.