[AI Revolution](146) AI Agent Caring for Mental Health... Tyrell's 'Clappy'

Personalized and Proactive Service Features
Daily Conversations with High-Risk Suicide Clients
Providing Counseling Guidance to Center Counselors
"If We Save Even One Out of 100, We Consider It a Success"

"I believe it is virtually impossible to treat mental health patients solely with artificial intelligence (AI) agents. We focus on helping counselors provide more systematic care to their clients."

On the 28th, Jang Changhee, CEO of Tyrell, explained their Mind Care AI agent 'Clappy' to Asia Economy at the Tyrell office in Songpa-gu, Seoul. CEO Jang said, "Usually, mental health-related agents are thought to be able to provide actual treatment within an app, but Clappy was launched with the idea that if counselors provide high-quality counseling, the clients' situations can improve."

Jang Chang-hee, CEO of Tyrell, is explaining the AI-based mind care service 'Clappy' at the Tyrell office in Songpa-gu. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

Clappy is an AI agent app that connects clients at high risk of suicide with counselors. It currently provides services to mental health welfare centers in Namyangju and Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. When clients converse with Clappy daily, the AI analyzes the conversation and compiles it into a report. It not only assesses the client’s condition but also suggests counseling directions on how the counselor should proceed. For example, advice such as "Active praise is needed" or "Use metaphorical expressions" is densely written on a single A4 sheet.

CEO Jang said, "At first, there were many concerns within the centers that AI might replace counseling work, but when we surveyed counselors who actually used it, nearly 100% responded that they wanted to continue using it. The biggest issue was that one counselor manages many clients, and AI agents help bridge this gap."

Most importantly, clients must actively use the app. CEO Jang emphasized that the core of Clappy is personalization and proactivity. He said, "It is difficult to expect clients to voluntarily log in and start conversations every day. To address this, the AI agent initiates contact by reminding them of the previous day's conversation or sending notifications about current news." He added, "If the AI agent only asks questions to understand the client’s situation, it can feel like an interrogation, so the AI is trained daily. It also engages in proactive conversations like, 'I looked up a pasta recipe today; would you like me to share it?'"

About 200 clients at risk of suicide have used the Clappy service. All client information is thoroughly anonymized with codes. CEO Jang said, "There are cases where clients comfortably share stories with the app that are difficult to disclose to a person (counselor), such as family circumstances. Some use the app about once every ten days, relying on it as a tool when they are truly overwhelmed."

Tyrell is also collaborating with the Busan Game Addiction Counseling and Treatment Center to pilot 'Kaja,' an AI service specialized in counseling and treatment for game addiction. It monitors clients’ task completion and provides motivation. The ultimate goal is to expand into the B2C (business-to-consumer) market and directly offer services to global users. CEO Jang said, "Operating Clappy has increased the sense of mission among all employees. We run the service with the mindset that saving even one out of 100 users means success."