About Voda

We all face mental health challenges, but for those in the LGBTQIA+ communities, these challenges are often compounded with added layers of stigma, discrimination, and exclusion. This means that traditional mental health systems often leave many of us unsupported.

Voda is the LGBTQIA+ mental health companion designed in collaboration with leading LGBTQIA+ clinical psychologists and psychotherapists.

We tap into evidence-based modalities like Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and deliver them through a culturally competent, identity-affirming lens. We’ve designed the Voda app in collaboration with experts and from the ground up with our community, with a focus on authenticity, clinical rigour, and inclusivity.

Early studies show that Voda users experience a 43% reduction in anxiety (GAD-7) and 40% reduction in depression (PHQ-9) (proving that culturally competent care works).

Why I Started Voda

Mental health problems such as depression, self-harm, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, but they’re more common among people who are LGBTQIA+. A study by Stonewall found that in general half of LGBTIQ+ people had experienced depression, three in five had experienced anxiety. One in eight LGBTIQ+ people aged 18-24 had attempted to end their life, with almost half of trans people having had thoughts about taking their life.

Growing up gay in Singapore, where same-sex sexual activity were criminalised, I struggled deeply with shame and confusion. It took me years before I had the opportunity to access therapy in my adult life; therapy helped me understand how my early experiences shaped me and gave me the tools to heal.

With Voda, I’m building the solution I wish I had: a mental health companion that is accessible, affordable, inclusive, and designed for people like me.

Today, Voda supports over 30,000 LGBTQIA+ individuals across the globe and has been named “App of the Day” in 35+ countries on iOS and Android.

My Role

As Co-founder and CEO of Voda, I lead our mission to democratise access to inclusive mental health care for LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide. I oversee our strategic direction and ensure our values of compassion, inclusivity, and innovation are embedded across every product decision, partnership, and user experience.

I also represent Voda across healthtech, policy, and social innovation forums, working to build coalitions that amplify our impact.

My broader vision is to use Voda not only as a platform for care but also as a tool for systemic change: challenging the status quo in mental health, advocating for policy reform, and building a more affirming world for LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.

We’ve also raised over a million dollars in early-stage venture capital funding from an intersectional group of investors who believe in our mission and share our values; they join us in reimagining what LGBTQIA+ mental health can and should look like.