Authentically Me

An engaging mental health program to help you unplug and work throughout the week to improve your mental well-being as you become your true authentic self.

Access to mental health is expensive and the average therapy session for someone in Los Angeles could be around $300 for someone liable and professional. There is also the fact that you are only addressing your mental health 10% of the time and that is not enough, so I am trying to mee the fact that more frequency increases effectiveness. Furthermore, according to NAMI 1 in 5, adults experience a mental illness throughout their lifetime. While according to Adolescent Wellness, academy 1 in 3 teens suffer from a mental health illness. This is such a prominent issue that is not talked about enough, there is a stigma that you have to hide if you are struggling. I want to create a place where you do not have to fake a smile, you can come in take a deep breath and let it all out and feel what's going on, authentically being yourself.

Imagine a place where you can come to at any point during your day and take a break from the reality of your life. A place where you can just be yourself without judgment and not think about what's going to happen in an hour or even tomorrow. Welcome to Authentically Me a place where you can engage in activities or programs that allow you to find balance and get into the flow state of mind. Being in the flow state of mind means, a state when, given the correct circumstances, you completely lose yourself in what you are doing and stop paying attention to everything else that is happening. That is what we strive to create. The best way to explain our services and amenities is that it is a “mental health gym,” each month you pay a set amount and you can attend our program and amenities as many times a month as you would like. I would also like to provide "scholarships" to under-resourced communities. We would take the membership that is paid in the wealthy areas and then apply them to help those in underresourced communities.  Here is how it would work. You have access to things such as sound bowl classes, yoga, support groups where you can confidentially talk about how life is going with the supervision of a therapist, a quiet room where you spend time reflecting on your thoughts, and a spa where you can get physically refreshed and rejuvenated. Additionally, we would provide services such as nutrition, sleep, and consultations. We would be both in person and online.

Adults and Teens who struggle with their mental health. They may go to therapeutic services already, however, they are not with their practitioners every second of every day. So, going to our program builds momentum, so they are practicing more than 1-2 hours per week. Some may also want to work on their mental health however, it may not be accessible due to financial or locational reasons. So the solution is also available online with multiple sessions that are free.

I have had a lot of experience with volunteering since I was little. 

• Epilepsy Foundation of America Ambassador and fundraised over $10,000
• In BCIL (Belldegrum center for innovative leadership) program 
• Work with Joyful Connections (presenting art to those with Alzheimer's)
• Chords 2 Cure (School club president, Junior Board Member, and Advisory Board)--- pediatric cancer organization
• Singing for those in an Elderly home
• Volunteered for Blessings in a Backpack
• Created a project to get rid of menstrual product waste and help those in Africa get menstrual product resources
• BWell- on the team at school that helps students with mental health
• NFTE acceleration series---came in first place with a business idea; In Ur Plate

These are some of my many experiences volunteering, they have taught me that there is always something that we can make better for someone else out there. That even 1 small thing that you can do for someone can change their day or even their life forever.

I have spent a lot of time with people who felt that their mental health was impacted and what I discovered is that it may be helpful to have a space that has both structures but, also the ability to engage in activities of their choice. I also created a statistics project based on this idea where I have been collecting data through surveys for the last 5 months with a sample population. I have also helped those around me when they were struggling with their mental health and helped them through crises. To gain a better understanding of the experience, I also trained with TeenLine. 

The closest thing I can think of in Los Angeles is two programs called Unplug and Hot 8 Yoga. Unplug is a meditation studio in west Los Angeles that has classes daily in the morning and at nights some in person and some at night. They have a few soundbowl classes a week. While Hot 8 Yoga, is a program where they do yoga classes in extreme heat. Although both places can help you achieve positive mental health. They are not targeted specifically towards mental health and do not have all the programs in one place. While Authentically Me is everything you need in one place specifically targeted to help your mental health.

1. Reduce the stigma of going to get support for mental health. 
2. Practice taking care of mental health for more than just 10% of your week. 
3. Have options and guidance on how you can improve your mental health.

• Our program is face-id to get into our in-person program 
• We are also open 24/7--So at night we have a fingerprint service to get in to ensure maximum safety 

• I would like to serve about 300 people per location in-person and online I would like to serve 3000.

I think the barriers would be financial to get it going and to open locations. It would also be helpful to hear the legal perspective on this solution. As for marketing that is something I am very skilled in. 

I would like to work more with: 

• RAINN 
• TeenLine 
• NAMI 
• Didi Hirsch 

• We offer our solution to adults and teens who struggle with mental health 
• To target created a more balanced mental wellbeing 
• It generates profit through membership; the membership is made and a large portion of the funds go to underresourced communities to have access to our services. 

• Donations, Grants 
• Services; local businesses can sell their product in front of our store