The access to mental health has become a challenge for a large portion of the Brazilian population, especially when the high costs of private consultations and the high demand in the public system deter those most in need of care. According to the research ‘The Health of Brazilians,’ conducted by the Instituto Lado a Lado Pela Vida and the Instituto Qualibest, 76% of Brazilians did not undergo psychological or psychiatric follow-up in 2023. Nevertheless, 55% of the participants reported having experienced disorders such as anxiety and depression.
These data raise an urgent debate: how to democratize access to therapy in a country where cost still poses a significant obstacle?
Still in 2020, Caroline S. Macarini had the answer in her hands and decided to take action. A graduate in Psychology from Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, mother, and entrepreneur, the professional developed a national platform for well-being and online therapy. With Unolife, Caroline is dedicated to ensuring that care is within reach of more Brazilians, offering sessions at a social price, for only R$ 79.99 per session.
“Many times, mental health is neglected due to lack of financial resources. My mission with Unolife is to change that, preventing cost from being a barrier. Furthermore, since childhood, I noticed that the world around me was deeper than what most could see. Even today, many dismiss consultations with the idea that they are already emotionally healthy. But who said consultations are just for treating mental disorders? Over the years, this led me to understand that a dignified life needs to be nurtured by self-awareness,” explains the psychologist.
The study “The Health of Brazilians” also confirms what Macarini observed during childhood, since, despite the high incidence of anxiety-related problems, 65% of people stated in the survey that they do not undergo therapy considering their health “good”.
Unolife: the platform born from real experiences
Caroline’s journey towards creating Unolife began long before the startup’s foundation, four years ago. During her work, both clinically and organizationally, the specialist always observed how feelings and thoughts directly influence people’s well-being and, in this path, started prioritizing personal development focused on emotional balance.
Unolife, therefore, emerged as a concrete response to these issues. With a secure and accessible digital platform, the startup connects users with professionals in various well-being areas, such as psychologists, psychoanalysts, nutritionists, holistic therapists, among others. In addition to this area, it also offers support in financial consulting and legal guidance, always focusing on the holistic development of the individual.
“The Unolife’s social value proposition is simple yet powerful: to provide Brazilians with a viable path to self-care, showing that, whether due to financial issues, misinformation, or prejudice, everyone has the right to know themselves better and take care of their emotional health. With the platform, people have a comfortable space to seek help whenever they need it, contributing to breaking taboos regarding therapy and building a new legacy of social impact,” Caroline concludes.
