Olive Mental Health Wellness Center
There has been a rise of mental health illnesses as observed in the news, with a spike in the number of suicides as a result for instance. Unfortunately, the groups of people mostly affected are from the productive years such as the youth who are relied upon to keep the economy going.
Building a wellness center that can closely be equated to a get away place with a touristic feel though offering mental health services is the aim. At this place, there will be landscaped gardens with pools/spas. Services to be offered will include thermal baths, music, scented, art and counselling rooms etc. All these to improve wellbeing of the mind. Advocacy will also be at the height of services on offer.
Once in place, the center will hopefully reduce the high numbers of people travelling long distances to access mental health medical services. It will also encourage locals to appreciate their tourist attractions within the country.
The specific problem to be addressed is handling mental illness and discrimination/stigma associated to it.
Mentally challenged persons are suffering through; expensive medications that are usually out of stock in hospitals, long distance travel abroad or even within two of the only available free hospitals that lack privacy, fluctuating medication prices and stigma attached to the illness. All n all, the general public may also be misinformed or lack information about mental illness and how to seek help before it's too late.
My solution is to build a wellness center that can closely be equated to a get away center inviting to all groups of people. At this place, there will be different rooms and landscaped gardens with pools/spas where mind healing can be sought through different services available on-site. Currently, I am researching on latest technologies that have been adopted by developed countries that can be of use in Zambia as well. Once in place, the center will be more welcoming to different people and hopefully reduce the high number of them having to travel long distances to access mental health medical services.
The target group includes all individuals and groups looking to be mentally fit and healthy by partaking in stress-free and advocacy activities. They can be that child learning how bad bullying is from the classroom where our staff are presenting, to the university or company team looking to build healthy relationships and stress-free environments. All they would need to do is get in touch with our center and communicate what they require and they will be guided on what service best suits their needs. However advocacy campaigns will be on-going to reach out to those who cannot make it to the center and cater to their needs. Each time I go for my mental health appointment, I make sure to observe what is lacking and have deep conversations regarding mental health based not only on my experience, but that of others as well.
- Combat loneliness, stress, depression, and other mental health impacts of disease outbreaks.
For a long time now, mental health illness is a topic that has been shunned with the added stigma to go with it. Advocacy, dissemination of information and mental health services will therefore be at the helm of health security and making sure the pandemic becomes uncontrollable.
- Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model.
A business canvas model has been created with building/area of operation identified, based on good location in proximity to a university and local community.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
My solution uses tourism elements/services to promote good mental health for all which will also boost tourism markets and the health sector.
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Audiovisual Media
- Behavioral Technology
- Internet of Things
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Women & Girls
- Pregnant Women
- LGBTQ+
- Infants
- Children & Adolescents
- Rural
- Peri-Urban
- Urban
- Poor
- Low-Income
- Middle-Income
- Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons
- Minorities & Previously Excluded Populations
- Persons with Disabilities
- 3. Good Health and Well-being
- 4. Quality Education
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 10. Reduced Inequality
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 17. Partnerships for the Goals
- Zambia
- Zambia
TBA
Service reports will be recorded and data concerning all recipients added to the records.
- Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
- 1 Founder
- 1 Communications and Marketing officer
- 5 full-time Center Staff
- 5 part-time Center Staff
- More to be announced
All team members to be employed based on experience and education. Those already on-board have been identified as specialists in their fields such as the Communications officer.
Currently there are very few qualified Mental health care Doctors. Identified team members will therefore, most likely be in-training and passionate about mental health. it is hoped that in cases where the public cannot make it to the center, our team will be able to reach out to them with the same professionalism and care that would be given had they been brought to the center. All in all, target employees will include youth who are jobless due to the current state of the economy.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
Organization in the way grants and other offers are given is encouraging and helps me focus in the path to take as I embark on my venture. I am therefore looking to benefit especially based on belief in helping me to grow as I offer services to make lives of others better in a guided and monetary way.
- Business model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Financial (e.g. improving accounting practices, pitching to investors)
- Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
- Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design, data analysis, etc.)
I trust the above is sufficient and hope to especially be guided by industry specialists keeping in mind that I am in a 3rd World country whose development is rather slow, owing to the rise of cases of mental illnesses.
Wellness tourism and mental health experts who are also aware of technologies being used to treat/secure mental health.
- Yes, I wish to apply for this prize
Not qualified but would be open to receive aid and guidance if the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Prize reached out to me.
- Yes, I wish to apply for this prize
My solution applies to all. Mental Health affects everyone and the prize can come in handy for the community visits that the part-time employees will perform once the center is up and running.
- Yes, I wish to apply for this prize
I am a woman who even though diagnosed with a Mental health disorder, is standing up when days are good and pushing still through others to create a solution for others in my situation based on experience and champion the fight to keep others from getting to mental illness level.
- Yes, I wish to apply for this prize
Being considered in this vein will help me learn of new technologies being used especially in developed countries to apply here in Zambia. Proceeds can therefore go towards obtaining the technologies.
- Yes
Mental health having many factors attached to it, my solution hopes to create a one stop wellness center which if possible in future have its own pharmacy. This being especially that there are rarely drugs available in hospitals and private pharmacies are expensive which is why many cases are left untreated and end badly for the individual. The Global Prize Fund will therefore advance my solution in this way.
Founder