Israel’s Health Ministry has granted regulatory approval to the startup Mentaily for its LIV system, an AI-based decision-support tool designed for psychiatric triage. This innovative platform simulates initial psychiatric interviews through interactive avatars, allowing patients to communicate via voice or text from smart devices. The approval comes at a critical time, as Israel faces a shortage of mental health professionals, worsened by increasing demand for care since October 7. Mentaily, founded in 2024, aims to enhance the efficiency of clinicians by handling the preliminary assessment process while maintaining a focus on patient interaction. The company is also exploring expansion opportunities in the United States, targeting collaborations with defense health systems and NATO-affiliated clinics.
Mentaily: Mentaily is an Israeli startup that develops LIV, an AI platform featuring an interactive avatar for initial psychiatric triage and assessment in mental health care. The company originated from Sheba Medical Center’s ARC innovation arm in collaboration with Microsoft and KPMG. It recently received regulatory clearance from Israel’s Health Ministry for LIV to assist in prioritizing mental health cases as a decision-support tool.
Iris Stein: Iris Stein is the CEO and co-founder of Mentaily, leading development of AI solutions for mental health diagnostics. Under her leadership, the company expanded from Sheba Medical Center’s innovation efforts. She described the recent Health Ministry approval of LIV as a significant milestone with potential international impact.
Dr. Asaf Caspi: Dr. Asaf Caspi is the co-founder, Chief Medical Officer of Mentaily, and deputy director of Sheba Medical Center’s psychiatric division. He focuses on AI tools to enhance clinician efficiency in mental health care. In recent interviews, he highlighted LIV’s role in empowering therapists to be more empathetic without replacing them.
Health Ministry: Israel’s Health Ministry oversees public health policy and regulates medical devices through its Medical Devices Division. It recently approved Mentaily’s LIV AI system for psychiatric triage, marking a first in the country for such technology. The approval positions the tool as a support for professionals amid rising mental health demands.
Prof. Mark Weiser: Prof. Mark Weiser is a co-founder of Mentaily and head of psychiatry at Sheba Medical Center. He contributes expertise to AI-driven mental health assessments. As part of the founding team, he helped develop LIV, which recently gained regulatory approval in Israel for triage support.
Expansion Plans: Mentaily is pursuing U.S. collaborations with defense health systems and NATO-affiliated clinics following Israeli approval.
Regulatory Approval: Israel’s Health Ministry cleared Mentaily’s LIV AI for psychiatric triage as a first-of-its-kind decision-support tool.
Clinical Development: LIV simulates initial psychiatric interviews via voice or text on smart devices, providing summaries for professionals.