In South Africa, the gap between mental health needs and accessible care is widening. Conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affect a significant portion of school-aged children (estimated to affect 5% to 7% of school-aged children), yet the market is plagued by "painful gaps," including a heavy reliance on medication and a lack of support for families dealing with cognitive challenges.
Addressing this critical need, Secret Mind Wellness – led by Founder and Psychologist Nagindra Maharaj – forged a strategic partnership with Neeuro, a global leader in neuro-technology. This collaboration aims to introduce evidence-based, non-invasive digital therapeutics to the South African market, beginning with a flagship initiative in special needs schools.
The Mission: Bridging the Gap with "Drug-Free" Solutions Through Digital Therapeutics
The partnership was born out of a specific quest by Secret Mind Wellness to find "drug-free, non-invasive, and fast-acting solutions" for their clients.
"We were actively researching technologies that could offer the same level of relief from mental health and general health symptoms as pharmaceutical treatments but without the dependency, side effects and long-term health risks that often come with medication," explains Nagindra.
Secret Mind Wellness, which positions itself as an integrative "brain-body wellness hub" combining Psychology, Digital Therapeutics, and Ayurveda, selected Neeuro because the technology offers structured pathways rather than generic brain games.
The Technology: Structured Science for the Prefrontal Cortex
Unlike unstructured apps, the Neeuro digital therapeutics solutions (Cogo and NeeuroFIT) provide a clear, step-by-step program where progress is monitored from the first session.
-
Cogo (Focus and Attention): Cogo is a patented, scientifically validated digital therapeutic and attention training program based on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology. Jointly developed by A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R), Institute of Mental Health, and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, Cogo is a fun and interactive game designed to help children improve their focus. It targets specific areas such as sustained attention, selective attention, and impulse control.
- NeeuroFIT (Cognitive Training): NeeuroFIT is a modular brain training program that utilizes the SenzeBand2 EEG headband to monitor brainwaves in real-time, providing immediate feedback to the user. This platform aims to improve cognitive functions such as memory, decision-making, cognitive flexibility, spatial ability, and attention through engaging games and structured courses. The program is designed to enhance mental sharpness and overall brain health.
Nagindra notes that this "targeted approach leads to faster, more noticeable results than generic brain games," allowing Secret Mind Wellness to generate detailed progress reports for parents and schools to prove real outcomes.
Success Story: The "Flagship" Proof of Concept
The launch of this program in South African schools was driven by a powerful real-world success story. The initial special needs school was not selected randomly; the school chose the solution after the principal witnessed the results firsthand.
The principal’s son, who had been relying on prescription medication for ADHD, utilized the Neeuro’s digital therapeutics and attention training program, Cogo, under Secret Mind Wellness’s guidance. The results were transformative with noticeable behavioral changes that helped the child in his daily tasks such as academics.
"Those results gave the principal the confidence to bring the solution into the school for other learners," says Nagindra, marking the school as a flagship site for a broader rollout.
Overcoming Barriers: Education and Access
Despite the technology's promise, bringing these solutions to South Africa comes with challenges, primarily a lack of awareness regarding "brain training" and economic constraints. To tackle this, Secret Mind Wellness is running marketing drives in malls and schools to demystify the technology, offering live demos so parents can "see and feel" the technology in action.
The Future Vision
The long-term goal of this partnership extends beyond special needs education, expanding to other areas of cognitive development (from children to adults). As such, Secret Mind Wellness is actively working towards SAHPRA (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority) recognition and medical aid acceptance.
"Our vision is to make drug-free, non-invasive digital therapeutics a normal, funded and trusted option alongside traditional care," Nagindra states. By securing medical aid funding, Secret Mind Wellness aims to ease the financial burden on families, ensuring that modern, measurable mental healthcare becomes accessible across the continent.
About Neeuro
Neeuro is a global company that specialises in utilising Brain-Computer Interface technology to maximise the potential of users’ neurological agility and fitness. Since its inception in 2013, Neeuro’s extensive portfolio and an array of digital therapeutic and brain fitness solutions are backed by clinically validated research by A*STAR, an institution widely known as being at the forefront of Singapore’s research endeavours. Neeuro’s holistic offerings reveal numerous potential avenues to explore complementary mental health options for children and adults facing various neurological challenges.
About Secret Mind Wellness: Established by Mr. Nagindra Maharaj, Secret Mind Wellness delivers primary mental health solutions through an integrative approach uniting Psychology, Ayurveda, and Digital Therapeutics. Their mission is to empower individuals across Africa to strengthen focus and resilience through safe, measurable, brain-based solutions.
We are seeking partners who share our mission to build a healthier and more connected future.
Contact us to learn more.
Innovate Your Healthcare Experience
Click the button below to learn more about Neeuro's Solution!
Leave a Comment