MARCoins are an in-app point system that allows a user to unlock digital goods – such as MARCo avatars, scene backgrounds, audio, etc. – for use in the app. MARCoins can only be obtained by completing activities that improve your mental health; they CANNOT be purchased for real monetary value, nor can they be transferred, sold, or distributed in any other fashion to other users. Think of MARCoins as a reward for taking care of your mental health in the MARCo Online mental health app or even in person with MARCo!
How do I get MARCoins in my mental health app?
MARCoins can be obtained by completing activities in the MARCo Online mental health app that help you on your mental health journey. Some activities immediately reward you with a larger amount of MARCoins, including journaling and Open Talks (which is the Talk Support equivalent of journaling).
To earn MARCoins by journaling:
Step 1 – Open the journal by clicking on the journal icon or by asking MARCo “Can I tell you about my day?” and then tap “Tell MARCo about my day”
![MARCo Online Screen with journal icon highlighted](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-1.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
![Tell MARCo about my day highlighted](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-2.png?resize=624%2C470&ssl=1)
Step 2 – Fill in your journal and go through the three journaling pages
![MARCo Online for tablet/desktop showing journal page 1](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-3.png?resize=624%2C469&ssl=1)
![Journal checklist on page 2 of your journal](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-4.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
![Journal page 3 showing the emotions you can pick from](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-5.png?resize=624%2C467&ssl=1)
Step 3 – submit your journal to MARCo and hear what MARCo suggests for the next steps on how to help you
![A completed journal session in MARCo Online](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-6.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
To earn MARCoins by completing Open Talks:
Step 1 – Request Talk Support
![Starting a talk support session in MARCo Online](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-7.png?resize=624%2C470&ssl=1)
Step 2 – You may set a goal as MARCo suggests if you want, but otherwise you can directly request Open Talks by asking or by tapping the journal icon in the mental health app:
![A new Open Talks window](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-8.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
Step 3 – Fill out open talks by following along with the prompts and click submit when finished
![In progress open talks window showing a journal page with counseling like prompts](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-9.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
![A completed Open Talks session showing cognitive distortions](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-10.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
You will be rewarded with MARCoins upon tapping submit!
Other activities can be “scheduled” as goals for your session. Upon completion of these activities, you will earn MARCoins as a reward for completing your goals.
To schedule activities:
Step 1- Open the activity scheduler. This is automatically pulled up if you complete a journaling session, as the results of your journaling session allow MARCo to customize a list of activities for you. Otherwise, you may tap on the calendar icon to open:
![The Activity Scheduler calendar icon on a tablet or desktop device](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-11.png?resize=624%2C470&ssl=1)
Step 2 – Tap “Schedule Activities for Today”
![Tap on Schedule Activities to open the Scheduler](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-12.png?resize=624%2C463&ssl=1)
This opens up the Activity Scheduler window. From here, you have two options for scheduling activities – by recommendation or by category. If you completed a journaling session, you can tap on the button under the card that says “Just for YOUR NAME” to see the recommended activities for you:
![The Activity Scheduler Page showing custom,](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-13.png?resize=624%2C471&ssl=1)
![A new page showing a list of customized activities MARCo curates for you after a journaling session](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-14.png?resize=624%2C470&ssl=1)
If you want to select activities by category, you can scroll down to see the category cards:
![A few of the activity category cards, including New! and Fun & Games](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-15.png?resize=624%2C469&ssl=1)
There are four categories: New!, Fun & Games, Guided Meditation and Relaxation, and Talk Support. By tapping on these cards, you will see the activities specifically associated with that category:
![A list of activities that show up under Fun & Games](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-16.png?resize=624%2C469&ssl=1)
Step 3 – Select the activities you want. Whether you have opened the category cards or your recommendation, you can add activities by tapping on the cards and seeing the checkmark turn green:
![The Fun & Games activities with two selected for use](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-17.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
These cards will also tell you how long these activities might last and how many MARCoins you earn for completing them. Go between cards if you want to add activities from multiple categories. Then, once you have selected all the activities, you can tap “Add to my activities!” to add them.
Step 4 – To find the activities you scheduled and complete them for MARCoins, tap on “Today’s Activities,” which is the icon with the clipboard:
![A clipboard icon that links to Today's Activities](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-18.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
Here, if there are activities scheduled for today, they will appear alongside a goal completion ring.
![A new screen showing daily goals and activities.](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-19.png?resize=624%2C471&ssl=1)
If you are unsure how to start an activity, you can tap on the question mark icon next to the activity:
![A text bubble next to the activities in the list that says how to complete them.](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-20.png?resize=624%2C471&ssl=1)
When you complete an activity, it will appear marked off, and you will have immediately received the MARCoins associated with that activity:
![The daily Activity Tracker showing a completed activity](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-21.png?resize=624%2C469&ssl=1)
How do I use MARCoins?
MARCoins can be redeemed in the MARCo Market, which can be accessed by tapping on the shopping cart icon:
![A window showing the MARCo Market](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-22.png?resize=624%2C469&ssl=1)
This will show how many MARCoins you have, as well as the categories of virtual items you can redeem the MARCoins for. Tapping on these categories will open up the items available:
![A list of head accessories available for purchase with MARCoins](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-23.png?resize=624%2C467&ssl=1)
By selecting an item, you can “Purchase” it if you have enough MARCoins.
![A sample product card that can be purchased.](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-24.png?resize=624%2C467&ssl=1)
You will be told if you do not have enough MARCoins:
![A sample product card that cannot be purchased.](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-25.png?resize=624%2C467&ssl=1)
Once you have redeemed your MARCoins, you can immediately access the item you purchased. New MARCos are available under contacts:
![The Contacts page and Contacts icon for finding newly purchased MARCos.](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-26.png?resize=624%2C467&ssl=1)
Accessories and background audio are found under Settings > Customize Settings:
![Find additional purchases under the settings page.](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcohealthtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Img-27.png?resize=624%2C468&ssl=1)
If you have any questions about how to use MARCoins in the MARCo Online mental health app, feel free to contact our support at info@marcohealthtech.com or check out our Support page for additional info!
Jacob Boyle
Jacob Boyle serves as CEO and CTO of MARCo Technologies. As CEO, his primary functions include defining the company direction, managing contractors and employees, and spearheading outreach and customer discovery. As CTO, he has handled the development of MARCo, having designed and produced the existing MARCo units; coordinate with manufacturers; develop software for the online edition; and oversee continued R&D. He also served as the Technical Lead in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps accelerator program on behalf of the company.