The Path to Lua Health

As a child, I dreamed of following in my father's footsteps as an auto mechanic. Taking things apart and putting it back together without any leftover screws fascinated me at that time. However, my academic pursuits led me down a different path. I initially delved into linguistics as part of German Studies at the University of Ljubljana. This foundational knowledge led me to the University of Bochum, where I obtained my master's degree in Computational Linguistics, refining my skills in natural language processing. It was during my Ph.D. program at the University of Galway that I dived deeper into these skills, preparing me for the challenges and opportunities that awaited at Lua Health.

At Lua Health

My decision to start Lua Health with my co-founder Fionn, was driven by a desire to contribute to a mission-driven organisation dedicated to supporting mental health in the workforce. It is still scary to read WHO statistics that 970 million people globally were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression the most common. I firmly believe in the power of every small contribution to make a positive impact on society. By addressing the stigma surrounding mental health, we strive to empower individuals to seek help before it's too late.

Working on such a stigmatized issue that affects a wide population, Lua's dedication to cultivating a positive company culture is unmistakable. Collaborating with my colleagues at Lua isn't just productive—it's essential for navigating the journey ahead. By embracing feedback from various sources, Lua continuously evolves to meet the needs of its stakeholders.

Future of Lua

Lua's journey is fuelled by a dedicated team united by a shared vision. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aim to lead the way in identifying early signals of mental health deterioration. Reflecting on my own experiences, I've witnessed the impact of mental health challenges firsthand. Therefore, I understand the importance of destigmatising these discussions and fostering supportive environments.

I strongly believe that our journey with Lua Health is just beginning. We aim to make a positive difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges—one conversation at a time.

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Next week we will hear from David-Paul Niland about his story on joining Lua.

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And sometimes I do some kayaking in Galway Bay.