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According to Mcall, language barriers present a substantial obstacle for many individuals attempting to discuss their mental health struggles. In response, co-founders Pedro Infante and Wilson Feliz created PatternMD, an application that facilitates anonymous conversations between users and medical providers in multiple languages, initially English and Spanish.
Addressing Health Disparities Through Technology
The need for such a tool is underscored by national data; the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that about 35% of Hispanic/Latinx adults receive treatment for mental illness each year. This figure lags behind the U.S. average of 46.2%, largely due to linguistic and systemic access challenges.
PatternMD is built around a philosophy that language should not be a barrier to wellness. Feliz, who heads PatternMD’s operations in Bethlehem, noted that the platform has already gained over 160 users since its April launch across major app stores. The application features several key components designed for user accessibility and support:
- Anonymous Communication: Users can share feelings without attaching an identity, which Feliz believes encourages greater openness about mental health.
- Pattern Engine AI: A dedicated artificial intelligence helps users search posts using specific keywords and offers suggestions based on a user’s own input.
- Bilingual Support: The core functionality allows for seamless conversation between English and Spanish speakers.
The Role of Anonymity in Care
Infante, who holds degrees in medical informatics from Stony Brook University and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, emphasized his motivation to create a space where his parents could access care in their native language. The platform also includes a separate portal for medical professionals to communicate among themselves anonymously.
While the decision to maintain anonymity is central to PatternMD’s design—making it easier for users to share sensitive information—it raises questions regarding accountability. Infante acknowledged that keeping providers anonymous could potentially allow them to overshare patient data without facing consequences. However, he maintains that this level of privacy benefits the overall openness of the system.
PatternMD is currently focused on expanding its reach by adding more languages and fostering structured partnerships with various health systems and clinical practices. The company aims to continue what Feliz describes as the “killing of the language barrier” in mental healthcare, establishing a scalable model for global wellness access. PatternMD’s development highlights how targeted technological solutions can directly address deeply rooted social inequities.