HARTFORD—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Monday that innovator TryCycle Data Systems in Farmington has been named “Innovator of the Month.” TryCycle is a digital health company focused on helping frontline clinicians treat and manage patients with substance use disorders or addiction and emerging health care crises, including COVID-19. The company’s mission is to reimagine the relationship between people with addiction and treatment providers. Their approach is to shift the health care journey from a reactive state into a proactive solution to facilitate early risk identification of patients.
TryCycle’s unique “Digital Compassionate Tether” is a lifeline for many people who are struggling with addiction or other diseases of despair. The 90-second module asks that clients track symptoms on a scheduled and consistent basis. Clients also can use speech-to-text to share how they feel in a confidential journaling section, which allows the health care practitioner to reach out if it looks like someone could be in danger.
Hartford HealthCare says it has led to several hundred direct interventions at Rushford and its MATCH clinics. The company is working on modules for suicide, trauma, and maternal depression. According to TryCycle, their approach has contributed to over 800 patient interventions in Connecticut and resulted in zero overdose deaths while using their system. For the first time in the lives of many patients, they are receiving a call from their health provider before a relapse, not after.
“The tidal wave of addiction is tearing families in Connecticut apart. In order for us to fix this crisis, we’re going to have to be innovative and that’s exactly what TryCycle is doing. Their app uses real data and human compassion to help save lives. I’m proud to highlight TryCycle as a Connecticut innovator this month, and look forward to watching their company grow and save lives,” said Murphy.
“Treatment of mental health and substance use disorders requires human engagement,” says John MacBeth, CEO of TryCycle. “We are working hard to change the way behavioral health care is delivered; increasing compassion and connection with real-time data analytics. Practitioners are in need of creative solutions to expand access by patients are desperate for treatment alternatives and TryCycle remains committed to improving the lives of people in Connecticut and beyond. We are honored to be following in the footsteps of Senator Murphy’s Recovery COACH Act.”
Murphy has long been a champion of mental health and addiction issues. In 2018, President Trump signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which included Murphy’s Recovery COACH Act that he led with U.S. Senator Shelly Moore-Capito (R-W.Va.). The Recovery COACH Act was inspired by Connecticut’s recovery coach program. The bill seeks to provide states with grants to ensure individuals with substance use disorder have access to specifically trained coaches in recovery themselves who can mentor, provide support for families, and help patients navigate treatment options. Last year, Murphy was awarded the Bob Savage Recovery Advocate of the Year Award by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). He was named the recipient at CCAR’s 2019 Legislative Day for his work on mental health and opioid addiction.
Murphy believes entrepreneurship and innovation are the building blocks for a strong economy. In the U.S. Senate, he has introduced two bipartisan pieces of legislation to incentivize angel investors to put more money into startup companies – the Angel Tax Credit Act and the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act. Startup companies create an average of 2 million jobs each year.
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