Panda appoints Tribeca as its strategic communications partner

Panda, a free-to-download app that provides access to affordable mental health and wellness support, has appointed Tribeca Public Relations (Tribeca) as its communications partner.

Tapping into its proven strategic communications capabilities, Tribeca will support Panda to reach those who need mental health support in a safe and secure environment.

The Panda app is the brainchild of Allan Sweidan, a clinical psychologist who previously co-founded and headed up the Akeso Group of Psychiatric Hospitals, and Alon Lits, former general manager and director of Uber in sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to gaining access to a community of other app users facing similar challenges, Panda offers a library of evidence-based content and scientifically validated assessment tools that people can use to measure their mental wellbeing objectively.

‘South Africa ranks as one of the worst countries globally when it comes to mental wellbeing according to the Annual Mental State of the World report. However, innovative digital solutions like the Panda app can respond to the country’s growing mental health crisis through access to supportive communities and information that users require,’ says Nicky James, managing director at Tribeca. ‘This is the type of innovation we love getting behind and supporting through strategic communications.’

‘Panda was conceived and developed as a viable way of responding to South Africa’s growing mental health crisis at scale, not only through the digital delivery of support and information but also by helping destigmatise mental health issues that people deal with every day,’ says Alon Lits. ‘We partnered with Tribeca because the team shares our vision to promote mental health and wellness to those who need it most.’