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Nikolina Šaravanja i Marino Šabijan
Episode · #313

PAMETNA HRVATSKA Nikolina Šaravanja i Marino Šabijan

Guest Nikolina Šaravanja i Marino ŠabijanHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The first lockdown didn't just isolate people physically; it created a silent, widespread crisis of mental health. Many found themselves struggling with stress, anxiety, or loneliness, often without access to traditional therapy due to stigma, cost, or a shortage of available professionals. Nikolina Šaravanja and Marino Šabijan, co-founders of Naomi Mental Wellness, observed this urgent need and responded with an unconventional solution: a virtual mental health assistant. Their mobile application, Naomi, offers private and anonymous psychological support, available 24/7. It's designed to help individuals navigate everyday psychological challenges, from managing stress to improving mood, without the barriers often associated with seeking help. This conversation explores how a rapid, tech-driven response to a societal crisis can create a new pathway for well-being, and what it takes to build a digital companion that users genuinely come to trust.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The first lockdown spurred Nikolina Šaravanja and Marino Šabijan to create a free mental health chatbot on Facebook Messenger. The immediate need for support during a crisis often demands a quick, functional solution first, even if a dedicated, robust product follows later.
02
When a user expresses suicidal intent, Naomi doesn't offer platitudes but directs them to emergency services or psychological support centers. A responsible AI knows its boundaries, understanding that its role is to support mental wellness, not to replace crisis intervention.
03
Naomi offers a range of techniques: conversational AI, gamified quizzes, guided relaxation videos, and diary entries. Rather than committing to a single therapeutic modality, provide a diverse toolkit; users will naturally find the approach that resonates most with their needs.
04
In its first week, Naomi garnered over 2,000 users, with 200-300 active daily, and "surprisingly positive" feedback, with users calling the app a "friend." The strongest validation for a product addressing personal well-being often comes not just from usage numbers, but from the emotional connection users form with it.
05
The app includes a list of 14 online psychotherapists, all of whom have supported the project. Rather than viewing professional therapists as competition, a digital wellness platform can act as a feeder, directing users to human expertise when a deeper level of care is needed.
06
The initial version of Naomi was a Facebook Messenger chatbot; technical shortcomings led them to develop a dedicated mobile app. A rapid, low-friction prototype can validate demand and user engagement, even if it means a full rebuild on a better platform once the concept is proven.
07
Naomi focuses on self-development, mood improvement, and stress reduction rather than severe clinical conditions. By positioning a digital tool as a first step for common psychological challenges, it lowers the barrier to entry for help, making support accessible to a wider audience before problems escalate.
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