Exclusive: Innovating mental health care with Innowell’s decision support software

Innowell is reshaping mental health care by merging technology with clinical expertise to provide innovative solutions that save lives and improve efficiency.

Leading this transformative journey is Syed Ahmed, CEO of the Sydney-based health-tech company, whose insights into the field and vision for the future reveal how digital tools can address global mental health challenges.

"Innowell is the world's leading decision support software for clinical mental health care," Ahmed said, explaining its purpose. "Our goal is to help people get the best clinical mental health care at the right time, the first time."

A Shift in Vision
Innowell's journey began in 2017 as a joint venture between two large organisations, with the intention of delivering government-funded research. When Ahmed joined in 2020, the company was four years into its journey. His role was pivotal in turning Innowell into a commercially viable venture.

"When I came on board, we reset," Ahmed explained. "It was a research organisation when I arrived, and my job was to prioritise, commercialise, and scale it. That shift turned the company into the powerhouse it is today."

This transformation, Ahmed says, marked an inflection point. Now, Innowell boasts a robust decision-support platform grounded in translational research, enabling clinicians to provide efficient, real-time care to their patients.

Digitising Mental Health Care
Digital solutions have long been a staple of physical health care, but their use in mental health remains nascent. Innowell's platform is changing this landscape by introducing tools for digitised measurement-based care.

"Our software allows clinicians to deliver mental health care through a system that collects, processes, and analyses patient data in real time," Ahmed said. "For individuals, it's a web or mobile app where they complete assessments. For clinicians, it's a rich data source that helps track patient progress and interventions over time."

Ahmed emphasised the unique ability of their software to address a critical problem in mental health care: long wait times.

"The average waitlist for a mental health clinician in Australia is 14 months," he explained. "With our tools, some of our clients have reported over 80% reductions in waitlist times."

Lifesaving Impact
Innowell's software doesn't just reduce inefficiencies—it saves lives.

"In one of our client's sites, over the last five months, 180 suicide attempts were prevented," Ahmed revealed. "Those are 180 lives saved because clinicians could intervene in real-time using our platform."

The tool's predictive capabilities, such as its trajectory prediction feature, allow clinicians to assess patient risks and outcomes if left untreated. "It's a game-changer," Ahmed said, "because it enables real-time escalation and intervention, ensuring those in urgent need receive care immediately."

Collaboration with Research
The platform's effectiveness lies in its strong foundation of clinical research, developed in collaboration with the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney.

"All our tools are built on robust academic research," Ahmed said.

"We don't just create features; everything we implement is deeply rooted in validated clinical studies. This ensures that our software is both effective and reliable."

The relationship with the Brain and Mind Centre extends to Innowell's co-founders, Professors Ian Hickie and Jane Burns, whose expertise helped shape the platform.

Customisable and Scalable Solutions
Another defining feature of Innowell's platform is its configurability. Unlike competitors, Innowell tailors its solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients.

"Most solutions in the market limit the number of assessments clinicians can use," Ahmed explained.

"With Innowell, as long as the assessment is clinically validated, we can configure it."

He cited an example from Canada, where the platform was adapted to include culturally sensitive mental health assessments for First Nations communities. "This flexibility is unmatched," he added.

Challenges and Purpose
Despite its success, Ahmed acknowledged the challenges of working in the complex healthcare sector. "Healthcare is a multi-stakeholder environment with no easy answers," he said. "But the impact we're making—seeing lives saved and care prioritised—keeps us motivated."

Ahmed also shared how much he has learned about mental health during his tenure, working closely with clinicians like Professor Hickie and Dr Melanie Turner, the company's Chief Clinical Officer.

"What's fascinating about mental health is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer," he said.

"Every day, I learn something new from our incredible team of clinicians."

Future Goals
Innowell's vision extends beyond Australia, with significant growth in Canada.

"We're engaging with government agencies to bring our platform to public health systems," Ahmed said. "The aim is to have a population-level impact."

Ahmed concluded with a reflection on Innowell's purpose. "When people talk about purposeful companies, I can say with certainty that everyone at Innowell knows the difference they're making," he said. "Every life saved, every patient cared for—it's why we do what we do."

Closing Quote
"Seeing results like these keeps us motivated," Ahmed said. "It's working, so let's keep going."