Luciano Jaramillo is the co-founder of the Selia platform.
Photo: Thomas Tibocha
How did you get to Selia?
After graduating, I faced a common crisis of not knowing what to do with my life and after a while I graduated in psychology in 2015. In addition, I completed some studies in administration. I worked at WeWork Colombia, participating in the opening of the first buildings in the country. During the pandemic, I decided to leave the company to take a break, and that’s when I met Santiago de Duque, founder of Selia. We started working together on this project.
What is the proposal of this platform?
It was initially conceived to help specialist doctors manage their private practices. However, when I got involved in the project I proposed to integrate psychology. In the first months we focused on experimenting with a small team of psychologists and fine-tuning the platform. We then decided to concentrate exclusively on mental health, and the team began to grow. As we developed the platform we identified two key needs: on the one hand, psychologists needed an effective way to make themselves known and, on the other, people were looking for a psychologist who fit their specific needs. Now, our goal is to solve the challenge of finding the right therapist. Often the recommendation of an acquaintance does not guarantee that the psychologist is the right one for each individual, as each person has different needs regarding their well-being.
Do you think the mental health crisis that occurred during the pandemic had anything to do with the development of this project?
The pandemic has undoubtedly brought to light a mental health crisis that was previously largely hidden. The emotional and psychological difficulties that arose during that time made people talk more openly about these issues. Virtuality also played a major role. Society became much more receptive to connecting and carrying out activities through digital means. This created a conducive environment for platforms like Selia, which leverage technology to offer mental health services.
How do you see the mental health situation in Colombia?
The landscape is showing several interesting trends. First, it is clear that younger generations are much more open to discussing mental health issues. They encourage their elders to do the same. This openness is reflected in our audience, which is mainly made up of people in their 20s and 30s. Women seem to be more willing to get help and seek mental health services, although we are also seeing that men are starting to do so to a greater degree.
What are the most common problems?
We have observed that anxiety and pressure are quite common. Also, there are many people who come to psychotherapy not necessarily because they are in crisis, but to better understand the process and explore how they can complement their lives. This is interesting, because we are not only offering help to those who are going through difficult times, but we are also providing tools to face future challenges. Many people seek guidance to be better prepared when facing difficult situations, such as breakups, bereavements, life changes or work problems.
In the Colombian context, what are the main causes of these problems?
Some of the main causes or common factors I have observed include the impact of social media. Although I am not an expert, I have spoken to psychologists who work with teenagers and young people. They have pointed out that addiction to social media and the tendency to constantly compare themselves on it can generate complexes and confusion in young people, leading them to self-sabotage. If this situation is not controlled from the beginning, it can lead to more serious problems.
What do you think is the next step for the field of psychology?
Psychology, especially psychotherapy, is going through a period of evolution. There is currently increasing attention and diversification in psychological approaches. In addition, we are seeing a trend towards innovative methods, more spiritual or holistic approaches. Psychology is taking a more prominent role, partly thanks to digital platforms that allow people from all over the world to connect with mental health professionals. This connectivity is transforming the way therapy is accessed and is opening up new possibilities for psychological care. The fundamental mission is to work on oneself, and then share that well-being with those around us, which in turn positively influences society. This is the greatest goal of mental health work: to foster personal growth to contribute to positive change in the community.
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