Yapa, the social media app that encourages its users to talk to one another, instead of sharing photographs or amassing ‘likes’, has seen an 70% increase in traffic since the UK Covid19 lock-down. The app has been co-founded by high profile footballers including Chris Kirkland as well as many well-known personalities.
The app encourages users to send out ‘Yaps’, text-based posts that are mood-dependent. These range from Depressed to Happy via different color codes, giving members the chance to connect with friends or well-known personalities and express themselves honestly. If a user posts multiple times in the ‘Depressed’ colour range, then they will be messaged privately and recommended local help options for their specific issue.
Whilst retaining its main focus on the ‘no photos, no likes’ philosophy, changes that Yapa members will enjoy in the new 2.0 version of the app include a meditation and fitness section.
With its innovative use of technology and a zero-tolerance policy on trolling, many recognisable faces and mental health advocates have flocked to support Yapa’s initiative. Chief among them is co-founder Chris Kirkland, ex-Liverpool and England goalkeeper. Speaking on his involvement with the app, he commented: “I have dealt with depression in the past. It’s an ongoing battle and small changes can really help along the way.
“When you’re in that state of mind, everything has an effect on you. I know that looking at your phone and seeing others looking happy can affect you negatively. We can all benefit from less taboo surrounding the subject of mental health, and that’s why I wanted to get involved with Yapa. It is via the changes that we make to our everyday lives that we eventually change things for good. Talking is the first step, so I’d encourage everyone to get on our app and have their thoughts heard in a positive space.”
Yapa also counts other mental health advocates such as Nadia Essex and Lydia Lucy amongst its 20,000 users. CEO Jack Knowles, winner of Entrepreneur of the Year at the International Achievers Awards and Male Role Model at the International Achievers Awards, expects more faces to join the march to change the current social media landscape.
“What inspired me to create Yapa in the first place was a very real need to talk. Having suffered from mental health issues myself, I realised that my online social circles weren’t necessarily helping.
“It has been well documented that picture-sharing apps can be bad for people’s mental health. My drive was to create something that could help me and help others along the way. I think that the success that we have enjoyed so far, getting the people that we have on board so early, comes down to that. People recognise that it is an issue and see the authenticity behind Yapa. They can see that we’re trying to change things for the better.”
Speaking about the increase in users since the Covid-19 lockdown Jack added; “It is a tough time, for all of us, it’s anxious and unsettling for everyone. We have to take time to support each other and find ways to look after our mental health. You should never suffer in silence, especially at the moment as so many of us are alone self-isolating. You could have a friend struggling on Yapa, reach out to them, a phone call goes a long way.”
