Stndby, a machine learning powered messaging platform —built with neuroscientists and clinical psychologists, launched the first custom digital wellness assistant that helps those affected by addiction through anticipatory wellness routines. The system is designed to offer encouragement, motivation, and teachings, giving users a pathway to practice healthier behaviors and develop deeper awareness and coping skills. It can connect people to resources such as nearby rehabilitation centers, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and live human support. The chatbot also reminds users to explore additional content that was developed as part of Viacom’s Listen campaign to reduce the stigma around addiction. It is an autonomous tool that offers safe, anonymous, personalized support for those struggling with addiction personally or supporting someone who is, as well as a “way to better see themselves in the world and build a stronger inner tool kit.”

Stndby and the accompanying HereToListen.com website launched concurrently on Oct.3rd 2017. Stndby is connected to the HereToListen.com supporting website allowing users to type in and submit their phone number on the website, and the digital wellness assistant would immediately text their phone to begin a conversation. This allowed the corresponding marketing efforts across, linear PSA, billboards, social and digital channels to provide a gateway into Stndby outside of the messaging platform.

Over three months

100k+ messages exchanged

Across 713 area codes

70% retention

Snapchat

1,713,548 impressions

815,337 video views

1. Stndby was used by individuals in 713 area codes. The majority of these area codes represented the more rural and isolated areas in the United States.

2. We discovered early after launch that over half the users were supporters of those suffering, so we quickly developed a "supporter conversational track" that addresses the nuanced needs of these often forgotten group tied to this epidemic.

3. The data also provided insight on new user experience functionality around increasing interactivity, such as journaling, which enhances the end users sense of connection, check-ins, which allows Stndby to check in with the end user.

Stndby gains user understanding through psychometric assessment behavioral insight and NLP which then informs our proprietary CMS and recommends personalized content. We are able to deliver tailor made curriculum to each user based on their current emotional and behavioral needs.

Scientists who recently looked at text-chat as a supplement to videoconferencing therapy sessions observed that the texting option actually reduced interpersonal anxiety, allowing patients to more fully disclose and discuss issues shrouded in shame.

1. A one-time personality assessment ((HEXACO model for personality structure) builds the foundational understanding. This assessment is seamlessly woven in to the conversational experience.

2. Daily routines that gain pattern understanding by checking on energy levels, emotionality, triggers and stressors.

3. Stndby sends personalized support methodologies in audio, video, graphic and text formats, that deliver behavioral feedback, including progress updates. That allows us to see patterns and report back status updates.

Drug overdoses killed more people in 2015 than HIV and AIDS at its peak in 1995. Every 19 minutes someone dies from an unintentional overdose. Stndby was designed to directly support those affected by this epidemic. Stndby is providing the key technology platform for Viacom’s LISTEN campaign, a national addiction initiative, offering resources to help turn addiction around and start the path to recovery. The primary objectives are to reduce shame and design a pathway to support by limiting the number of gates between someone who needs help and the help pipeline.

1. More Connection: help people feel more connected and heard. Act as a bridge between shame and the support/rehab pipeline.

2. Emotionally Sophisticated Technology: Deliver more emotionally sophisticated usage of real time data.

3. Personal Growth: grow communities and individuals that feel less isolated who are better able to lead healthy, vibrant lives.