South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Mental Health - Worldwide Pandemic is a new movement that aims at not only bringing awareness on mental health , but educate and break the stigma around those diagnosed with any mental health condition.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Two years ago I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety as such , I have been on and off medication and therapy , I have had episodes whereby not only did my family not understand but thought I was crazy , bewitched or even disgusting. This is an initiative that I pray and hope can educate not only those diagnosed with mental health conditions , but to make families understand how to care , show love and offer support ti family members who have any kind of mental health diagnosis. I am well aware that we have a lot of these organisations focusing on this issue , however my aim is to reach people on a much broader scale , not only through social media but other means as well , specifically in my country South Africa it is not everyone who has access to social media as such I have an idea of actively reaching people through community outreach programs , helping people understand that there are also government resources that are available for those with no resources for private help

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem is that mental health is not as focused on as other medical conditions ( cancer , HIV , TB etc) , we only think about or talk about mental health when someone we know be it famous or a family member has committed suicide , we only talk about it once it has happened to someone or during May and October when it's mental health awareness months. Mental health is a topic that needs to be taught constantly at schools , workplace and entire communities. People need to know and be aware on a daily basis that there are mental health illness that people are suffering from and they're doing so silently because of the stigma around it , so the aim of this project , is to educate , raise constant awareness , and break the stigma surrounding mental health illness. And help people get access to mental health care as there are so many around us who have no idea where to even go and get help , especially the less privileged .

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Advantages ; Support System ; Social Support ; Unprompted Check-ins ; Positive Influence ; Healthy Distractions ;Professional Referrals According to a recent report published by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, one in six American adults faces mental health problems. The conditions that lead to this range from mild to debilitating. The good news is that in most cases, adults can take the necessary steps to reclaim control of their lives. This involves understanding the importance of a support system, which may include not just family and friends but even perfect strangers. Researchers have also said that having a strong support system has many positive benefits. Some of the best benefits include higher levels of well-being, better coping skills, and a longer healthier life. Having a support system has also been proven to reduce depression and anxiety and reduce stress. In order for us to thrive, we need a support system to be there for us when we are in need.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Mental health is a worldwide pandemic , the initiative is aimed at reaching as many people as possible , if possible even outside pandemic. In South Africa, 9% of all teenage deaths are due to suicide and the numbers are increasing. Panic attacks and anxiety disorders are more than just feeling nervous or worried. Just over 40 pupils have committed suicide in Gauteng province alone in the past year. This is a community , the aim is to reach as many people as possible even more so schools , both privileged and underprivileged , it's a community aimed at supporting , educating , raising awareness and break the stigma.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-10-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

I am currently studying towards a degree in Psychology , and with my personal experience with mental health I know and believe that I can make this a success. And I have the support of a mental health hospital called Soweto Life Path Mental Health Hospital.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=instagram.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tZW50YWxfaGVhbHRoX2Ffd29ybGR3aWRlX3BhbmQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1xciZpZ3NoPWNXeHJlbUU0ZEhOb1kzTXo=&p=m&i=NjU2NTk1YjU4OGYxNWY2ODhmNGQwZTY0&t=aFhqV3VhbGlqRUZEK0JrSzRFZmw0bX

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

f) Healthcare (healthcare equipment and services)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

My Project is mainly focused on Mental health care

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

My Project is mainly focused on Mental health care

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

With the support of this program I know and believe we will be able to change the world one mind , one heart at a time.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

With proper resources and support we can globally educate people that mental health is not "crazy'' but a condition like any other sickness that needs as much care and attention as any other illness

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

With this initiative we can build mentally fit and educate as many communities as possible.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

SADAG - i AM FOCUSING ON REACHING PEOPLE FROM A MUCH BROADER SCALE , MAKING SURE THAT EVEN THOSE WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA GET ASSISTANCE , MY GOAL IS TO CREATE AN AWARENESS EVEN THROUGH DOOR TO DOOR EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?