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Ali Amer to Lead Cisco’s Global Service Provider Business in the Middle East and Africa

Cisco announced today that Ali Amer has been appointed Managing Director for Global Service Provider Sales in the Middle East and Africa at Cisco.

In his new role, Ali will be responsible for helping telecommunications service providers transform their networks, businesses and customers’ experiences to capture the opportunities created by the digital era. In addition to driving the segment’s sales strategy and growth across the Middle East and Africa, he will also focus on streamlining business operations, including sales and channel strategy, business development and customer support.

Amer will report to Peter Karlstromer, Senior Vice President for Global Service Provider Sales, Cisco EMEAR. He will work closely with the regions’ mobile operators to develop their digital transformation roadmaps as they evolve their business and revenue models to meet the growing demand for data services and financial and commercial services.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce Ali as the new leader for our Service Provider business in the Middle East and Africa,” said Karlstromer. “Ali is a highly regarded leader known for his close working relationships and deep understanding of the telecoms industry landscape. His expertise and ability to build high performance teams will undoubtedly accelerate our momentum in delivering the digital ecosystem and network infrastructure that our customers need to capture rising opportunities.”

Amer joined Cisco in 2013, most recently serving as Managing Director for Cisco’s Service Provider segment in the Middle East and Turkey. He brings to the role over 25 years of industry experience and was previously the Senior Telecom and IT Consultant in the same unit, advising multinationals and start-ups on market entrance and go-to-market strategies in the region. Prior to Cisco, Amer spent fifteen years at Motorola Networks rising to the position of Vice President and General Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where he ran an organization of 2,500 employees and business professionals with annual revenues in excess of $1 billion.

“I am excited to take on this expanded role within our Service Provider business as Cisco continues to push the envelope with solutions, technologies and a vision that drives exponential value and success for our customers and partners,” said Ali Amer, Managing Director, Global Service Provider Sales, Cisco Middle East and Africa. “With its significant growth potential, a rapidly expanding population, and increasing smartphone penetration, the telecommunications market in the Middle East and Africa is at an important junction. Cisco’s technology capabilities and strong partnerships will play a pivotal role in enabling SPs to become truly intelligent network operators that are able unlock opportunities, enhance business agility, and drive service innovation and customer-experience enhancement.”

The next phase for the Middle East and Africa telecommunications sector will be defined by an explosion in data demand. The annual Cisco Visual Networking Index™ (VNI) forecast projects a 12-fold increase in Middle East and Africa mobile data traffic from 2016 to 2021, a compound annual growth rate of 65 percent. By 2021, the Middle East and Africa will have 2.4 billion networked devices (up from 1.7 billion in 2016) and 1.4 networked devices per capita, while 75 percent of all networked devices will be mobile-connected in 2021.

Across the Middle East and Africa, strong growth in mobile users, smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) connections combine with network speed improvements and growth in mobile video consumption to significantly increase mobile data traffic over the next five years.

America Is Facing A Mental Health Pandemic—Is Teletherapy The Vaccine?

As Americans grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been another, less visible epidemic quietly unfolding—an uptick in mental health conditions. But if the past year has taught the world anything, it’s that unprecedented times result in unprecedented solutions. And when it comes to increased need for mental health treatment, teletherapy has emerged as a winning option. In fact, a new survey of more than 1,200 U.S. adults from YouGov for Forbes Health found a staggering 63% of people who tried teletherapy found it to be effective .  

Is teletherapy a temporary silver lining in the storm cloud that is the COVID-19 pandemic? Or is it a form of treatment that can change the mental health landscape for good?

Teletherapy consists of therapy services provided via internet and telecommunication technologies like video conferencing, phone calls and even text. Like traditional therapy, teletherapy is typically conducted by a licensed and certified therapist, psychologist or other mental health professional. The type of treatment you receive ranges from cognitive behavioral therapy to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). 

It’s worth noting, though, that teletherapy is different from telepsychiatry—which can include services like psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and medication management. While many teletherapy providers offer telepsychiatry services, not all do.  

Typically, teletherapy consists of a patient completing an online exam, choosing a therapist available through the teletherapy provider and scheduling a session. Sessions might be conducted through video conferencing, phone calls or text. Depending on the modality, prices often differ. 

The frequency of your sessions often depends on the price tier you select, with costs climbing for patients who want to meet with their therapist more often. Costs and pay cycles for teletherapy can vary widely, with providers charging $65 a week to $300 a month.  

Many accept a wide array of insurance plans, often including Medicare and Medicaid. When choosing a teletherapy provider, make sure it’s HIPAA-compliant and has encrypted technology to ensure privacy, experts suggest.

In general, studies show teletherapy works. A study that reviewed 755 journal articles  found video conferencing to be just as effective as in-person care in most cases . Another study in the Journal of Affective Disorders compared a group of people receiving internet-based CBT treatment for depression with a group receiving in-person CBT treatment . The study found not only was the online treatment just as effective as the in-person treatment, but participants in the internet-based treatment group had fewer symptoms three months after treatment while the in-person group’s symptoms became worse. 

Teletherapy provides “easier, confidential access to treatment that is lower cost compared to many private practice rates and removes barriers like transportation and lack of time that many people cite when they talk about why they haven’t gone to therapy before,” says Judy Ho, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist and Forbes Health 2021 Advisory Board member.  

“It even offers the clinician a glimpse into the person’s life—you can tell a lot by looking at the state of their room, home office, wherever they are dialoguing from,” she adds. 

Rates of anxiety and depression in the U.S. are rapidly rising, exacerbated by the pandemic. In fact, symptoms of anxiety disorder were three times higher in June 2020 compared to the second half of 2019, 25.5% versus 8.1%, according to data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with prevalence of depressive disorder four times higher, 24.3% versus 6.9% . 

Meanwhile, more than half a million people reported signs of anxiety and depression between January 2020 and September 2020, according to the 2021 Mental Health In America report from the Mental Health America organization. The number rapidly increased over the course of the year—use of the organization’s online screening tool skyrocketed, with anxiety screenings up 634% and depression screenings up 873% from January . 

“During the pandemic, I’ve seen an increase in clients due to trauma, grief, loss, anxiety and depression,” says Rufus Tony Spann, Ph.D., a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed professional counselor and Forbes Health 2021 Advisory Board member. “The mental and emotional trauma which people are experiencing will take time to address. I believe teletherapy will reach a broader audience which helps heal and restore the social emotional aspects of society.” 

Talkspace Online Therapy

Talkspace connects you to licensed therapists based on their expertise from across the country. It covers a range of mental health needs such as depression, anxiety & stress, parenting, trauma & grief, substance abuse, LGBTQIA+ specific topics, eating disorders & more.

Most teletherapy providers didn’t form overnight in response to the pandemic. Rather, they’ve been quietly building their businesses, unknowingly preparing for this moment in which the pandemic tipped the state of mental health in the U.S. into crisis territory. For example, Talkspace, a teletherapy provider known for celebrity endorsements ranging from Olympic athlete Michael Phelps to pop star Demi Lovato, was founded in 2012 while telehealth provider Amwell has roots dating back to 2006. 

What is relatively recent, though, is teletherapy providers’ explosion in popularity. Talkspace went public in June 2021 in a $1.4 billion deal, and teletherapy provider Cerebral recently joined the unicorn club with a $1.2 billion valuation, according to an industry report from CB Insights. Cerebral tells Forbes Health it has grown 640% in users since August 2020.

“In the last year, we’re really seeing two macro trends here that affected supply and demand: COVID-19 and increased conversation around mental health issues,” says Kyle Robertson, CEO and co-founder of Cerebral. “Those who were reluctant to try teletherapy before the pandemic were required to make that shift last year.”

Another trend that’s been unfolding in tandem, Robertson says, is an undeniable cultural shift surrounding mental health. Arguably the biggest story to come from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics was when U.S. gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the competition, citing mental health concerns. Tennis star Naomi Osaka made similar waves in July when she withdrew from the French Open to preserve her mental health, and Prince Harry opened up about his own experience with therapy in a docuseries with Oprah Winfrey. 

“Though it is still prominent, the stigma around admitting to experiencing mental health obstacles has reduced since the pandemic began,” says Andreas Michaelides, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and chief of psychology at Noom. “As a society, we have overcome a collective event and this helps to increase our shared sense of struggle. People may be seeing and hearing more conversations about mental health in popular culture, sports, media and even among friends and family—normalizing recognition and discussion of stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns.”  

Mental health affects nearly every aspect of life, and data from the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) shows just how deep that ripple effect can go. 

People with depression have a 40% higher chance of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, according to the organization, and the unemployment rate for U.S. adults with mental illness is higher than those who are not afflicted, 5.8% compared to 3.6% . High schoolers with significant symptoms of depression are twice as likely to drop out of school, and depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, per the NAMI. 

All of this underscores the importance of effective mental health treatment—and the potential effect it can have on people and the economy—especially since teletherapy’s clientele tends to be young.

“The majority of people seeking teletherapy or telepsychiatry services are still female millennials,” says Robertson. “In general, millennials are more open to trying telehealth services, having grown up around technology, and are likely to influence their circle of friends. They’re the ones starting conversations around wellness and self-care with friends and family and spearheading mental health initiatives in their workplace.”

The new survey from YouGov for Forbes Health found that among U.S. adults, 21% say they have used teletherapy within the past year. Meanwhile, a staggering 38% of millennials say they’ve used a teletherapy service in the past year, compared to just 16% of Gen X and 10% of baby boomers . 

You Deserve To Be Happy

Asking for help takes strength. BetterHelp can match you with a professional, licensed and vetted therapist from any device.

“In 2021, our mores favor more openness about behavioral health and encouragement for individuals to seek mental health services,” says Joseph Kvedar, M.D., the chair of the board of the American Telemedicine Association and a 2021 Forbes Health Advisory Board member.  “This is particularly true of younger individuals.  Thus, the combination of the population growing, of more acceptance and openness about mental health and comfort with telehealth will lead to continued growth in this area.” 

As for those open to trying teletherapy, 17% of respondents who hadn’t used teletherapy before said they would consider trying it within the next year. However, that number increases to 22% of millennials, compared to just 16% of Gen Xers and 13% of baby boomers. 

“I see continued integration of teletherapy and wellness apps into the workspaces, schools, hospitals, and doctors’ offices,” says Spann. “As generations continue to mature with the exposure of therapy and teletherapy, I believe teletherapy will become more normalized and acceptable in society.” 

Like most types of treatment, teletherapy isn’t immune to its share of side effects, which largely stem from the unique challenges that arise from virtual therapy.

Mental illness doesn’t affect everyone equally. CDC data shows mental health conditions disproportionately affect specific populations, such as young adults, Hispanic people, Black people, essential workers, unpaid caregivers for adults and those already receiving treatment for pre-existing conditions .

Spann acknowledges the digital divide as a potential barrier, noting that many populations don’t have access to the tools that teletherapy requires, such as phones or laptops. Indeed, recent data from the Pew Research Center finds 9% of Black U.S. adults don’t use the internet, compared to just 7% of their white counterparts . 

Other growing pains the teletherapy industry has experienced include muddled guidance on providing remote therapy across state lines and not all therapists being equipped to deal with remote emergencies, says Spann. Additionally, Dr. Ho points out that some people find it harder to build rapport with someone virtually, and screen fatigue from being on the computer all day for work or virtual learning can make it hard to engage during a therapeutic virtual session.

Another challenge for teletherapy providers? With the influx of mental illness in the U.S. and the growing desigimitatzion of therapy comes an increased demand. There isn’t always enough supply to meet that demand.   

“Concerning the number of therapists, I don’t think there are enough providers to manage clientele,” says Spann. “Many of my colleagues discuss being stressed and burnt out while providing therapy to large caseloads. Many therapists aren’t accepting new clients due to overwhelming caseloads, and many therapists find it hard to refer clients to other therapists due to increased caseloads.”

Therapy For How We Live Today

Talkspace is an online therapy platform that provides users the confidential support of a licensed therapist through an easy-to-use and HIPAA-compliant app.

A common gripe among teletherapy patients is sometimes having to wait weeks to be seen by a therapist—a potentially dangerous situation for at-risk individuals.  

Despite its flaws, mental health professionals are encouraged by the prospect of teletherapy as an effective form of treatment—and predict it’ll stick around once the face masks come off. Dr. Ho notes that in the future, most people will probably switch to a hybrid model that combines teletherapy with some in-person treatment, too.

“I think it’s going to be the predominant form of therapy for busy professionals, busy moms and dads, and anyone who would like to access therapeutic services, but logistics have gotten in the way,” she says. “I also think that teletherapy is going to be greatly enhanced by engaging online tools to help with rapport building and foster commitment to the process even if it is across a screen.”

Spann echoes that sentiment, adding that teletherapy will ultimately be able to reach more people and diverse communities—and the impact of that can’t be overstated. 

“I think flexibility for the clients and therapists could mean more people will match with the therapist that best suits their needs,” he says. “Considering the flexibility and access to teletherapy, I believe more clients are receiving mental health services, which helps to save lives.”  

-Fact checked by Jessica Lester

Talkspace Online Therapy

Talkspace connects you to licensed therapists based on their expertise from across the country. It covers a range of mental health needs such as depression, anxiety & stress, parenting, trauma & grief, substance abuse, LGBTQIA+ specific topics, eating disorders & more.

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