Foveo Care, new social media app, focuses on mental health

Inspired by his own struggle with depression,aCalgary man has created a new social media app meant to connect, encourage and support individuals struggling through mental illness.

The app is meant to be an alternative to otherplatforms like Facebook or Instagram, wherepeople often feel pressured to present a perfect exterior, said creator Daman Parmar.

"It's a stigma attached to mental illness. What is that other person going to say about me?"Parmarsaid.

Parmar has himself struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, andwasadmitted to apsychiatric ward in Calgary roughly 18 months ago.

While there, he was able to build relationships with peoplewho could relate to what he was going through something he never had with his friends, family or colleagues.

After returning home, he decided he wanted to recreate that experience of community throughFoveo Care.

The app allows users, who can choose to remain anonymous,tocreate and share drawings, audio recordingsand written posts about their struggles and successes.

Users can curate what kind of content they would like to see appear in their activity feed by selectingfrom more than 100 different categories related to mental health, Parmar said.

"WithFoveoCareapp, you're free.You're basically free to express yourself through voice, audio and art. I think that's what people want."

Other features allow users tosend hugs, group chator privately message each other.

The Android version of theapp launched on Monday and already has more than 300 users from11 different countries,andan Apple version willlaunch in the coming weeks, Parmar said.

With files from The Homestretch