A Social Enterprise on Mental Health for Every-Juan

Background and Rationale

There is a continued rise of mental illnesses since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the start of the pandemic in 11 March 2020. In the Philippines alone, ‘3.6 million Filipinos are suffering from at least one type of mental, neurological, or substance use disorders.’ The WHO reported that the Philippines ranks third in the Western Pacific Region having the highest cases of mental health illnesses, with closed to a million to 2 million Filipinos suffering from depression and schizophrenia.[1]

With apparent rise of these numbers, mental illness poses an imminent danger to social relationships within the family and workforce and in schools, and within one’s self too. Because of the great stigma that society has put to mental health patients, many people find it socially taboo and awkward to acknowledge even its existence, prevailing that is, these days. The stigma dates back to Neolithic period where people displaying signs of mental illness is synonymous to satanic possession, one where one is being punished morally for an evil act done. Later in time, mental health patients are confined in facilities with very poor accommodation and understaffed physicians. Because of these scenarios, it brought about the social stigma we have today. According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are three types of stigmas attached to this: 1. Public stigma, or the negative attitudes of the public towards it; 2. Self Stigma, or the negative attitude people with mental health disorders have for themselves; lastly, 3. Institutional Stigma, or discriminations from government or private institutions.[2]

Getting a deeper understanding of mental disorders will help relax these social awkwardness and will help people recognize others who are also experiencing the same. These people might even be within their circles like a family member, a friend, co-worker or classmate, or a neighbor. Spreading awareness will bring a step closer to bridging the gap between social and financial constraints and the mental health crises. This will be a vital step in limiting, and eventually eradicating, the stigma attached to mental disorders. It will encourage people to be more open and confident in telling their stories. It can even be a catalyst to social change, empowering adults and children alike, and pushing other private and public organizations to advocate more on mental health.

Description of Product and Service

Mental illness or mental disorders are conditions affecting one’s moods, thinking and behavior. There are various mental disorders, the most common of which is anxiety and depression. Eating disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders are also among the mental conditions that, if left untreated, can damage one’s social life and relationships, and can even cause other physiological problems. Below are some of the programs that Mind Your Mind can offer.

1.       Minding Group

Mind Your Mind is a social enterprise that helps spread awareness and education on mental illnesses by creating a healthcare group or the Minding Group where anyone can talk about mental health and issues openly to each other, without the fear of being shamed. It can be a support group too for family members whose child or parent or sibling is under treatment. This can also be a venue for deeper understanding of the science behind the imbalance of neuro transmitters, and how a mental illness is a sickness just like an ordinary cough or colds.

2.       Counselling in different platforms

Mind Your Mind is a social enterprise that provides comprehensive mental and social services to a targeted community by offering counseling conducted by registered psychologists and psychiatrists. It will be conducted in different platforms and channels (online and physical) to tailor-fit every Juan’s needs. By so doing, there will be no one left behind. Raising awareness does not end in educating people but it also includes spreading compassion and kindness and positivity to people battling mental health problems.

Part of the program is tapping qualified mental health advocates, professionals both in the academe and medical field to ensure quality social service that is apt to every Juan and Juana. We can work hand-in-hand with local governments to help us satisfy these goals.

3.       Collaborate and Partner

Mind Your Mind will collaborate with other organizations that share the same mission and will create programs that can help subsidize professional fees for treatments and sessions. Most of the time, the need to sustain the sessions and the high cost of medicines to treat these illness take a toll on the patient’s (and the family’s, as well) finances. Currently, some local podcasters (on Spotify)[3] partner with an organization to give monetary help to youths so they can continue their sessions with their doctors. Mind Your Mind can collaborate with similar influencers to widen the reach of help, especially to local communities where public presence is limited. Aside from this, Mind Your Mind will produce apparels, i.e. shirts, caps, notebooks, part of the profits of which will be donated as well.

Benefits to stakeholders

Benefit to Patients and Members

Patients’ expenses will be eased because of the organization’s programs. They will have access to quality and affordable counselling, treatment, and sessions. They will also be exposed to other patients treading similar paths and situations, without the debilitating stigma that society puts. Members can have a deeper understanding of the different mental health conditions, how to properly address the same, how to treat persons who are showing signs and symptoms. They will have access to other programs being offered by other organizations and government agencies.

Benefit to Community

Through the sale of apparels, consumers will be direct partners in providing (financial) help to these patients. They will be exposed too to our programs and advocacies, which is in itself a stepping stone to having a full grasp of the mental health status in the country.

Value Proposition

Everyone goes through a moment of darkness at some point of his life. However, not everyone can get through this phase smoothly. Mind Your Mind aims to be there with and for these people when they go through this phase, with the hope of slowly eliminating the stigma that society has put to mental health patients.  We hope to normalize minding your depression, anxiety, eating disorder, substance abuse and the likes, because this will help bring about healthy minds.

Mind Your Mind will help destroy the socio-economic barriers of mental health illnesses, especially the aspect of financial constraints and social stigma. This, with the realization that one’s case is never an isolated case. Through the Minding Group, we will learn how to pause and listen; and offering support and compassion will be the new norm in the society where any one can be patient.

[1] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1677897/mental-health-day-the-need-to-defuse-a-ticking-time-bomb-for-millions

[2] https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/how-mental-health-stigmas-are-changing/#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20developing%20a%20greater,their%20own%20mental%20health%20conditions.

[3] https://angwalangkwentangpodcast.com/