These are the SVZ Startups Raising Awareness about Mental Health
October 8th, 2021
by Binisha Khatri
Mental Illness Awareness Week (external link, opens in new window) is a week dedicated to raising awareness about the issues surrounding mental health that are often misunderstood or go unaddressed. The past 18 months have been particularly hard for many people - the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has had an immense impact on the mental health of our communities. This year, to honour Mental Illness Awareness Week, we want to showcase the ventures at the SVZ that are working towards making a difference in their communities by providing mental health supports.
The SVZ understands the importance of providing mental health resources to vulnerable communities, and is proud to support many startups and ventures that address these gaps. Over the years, the SVZ has incubated a number of startups that address the importance of mental health awareness. Whether it be providing help to those affected by PTSD, offering spaces for men to talk about their mental health, or working to destigmatize conversations around mental health and wellbeing, these SVZ members know the immeasurable importance of mental health.
Savyn
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem affecting 3 million Canadians, 570,000 of which are immigrants and refugees. Due to the health systems being overburdened and the increasing difficulty getting access to mental health services, 35% of individuals with PTSD will not get better from their condition, making them 15 times more at risk of committing suicide. In addition, PTSD therapies are not easily accessible for immigrants and refugees due to language and cultural barriers.
Savyn (opens in new window) was founded by Sakeena Mihar, Vic Shao-Chih Chiang, and Yang Wang. The founders of Savyn have the lived experience of PTSD, and wanted to help other people using clinical interventions through a digital platform. Savyn recently launched their free digital therapy platform, SavynCares (external link, opens in new window) . This platform simulates PTSD therapies clinically proven to be effective treatments for managing panic attacks, triggers and other symptoms of trauma. These include deep breathing exercises (square breathing), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming (EMDR), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for long term healing. To reduce the barriers of access for newcomers and immigrants, Savyn provides these resources in multiple languages.
Tethr
Tethr (opens in new window) is a peer to peer support community for men. They provide any man regardless of race, sexual orientation, or economic status with a safe, barrier free space where they can share openly, provide and receive support, and connect with other men going through similar life experiences.
The greatest indication of male vulnerability is shown through suicide statistics. 75% of suicides committed are committed by men. Additionally, 77% of men suffer from some form of stress, anxiety or depression. Many men feel that they can’t talk to anyone when they are suffering from mental illness, most often because they feel like they have no one to turn to.
The founder of Tethr, Matt Zerker, struggled with mental health issues his entire life. After the sudden passing of one of his best friends in 2018, Zerker joined a men’s group that changed his life. Since its inception, Tethr’s goal has been to provide men with a community where they can share openly about their struggles and reach out for the support they need. Tethr is helping to alleviate both the burden of emotional, mental, and physical isolation.
Taboo Health
Health problems can be complex, embarrassing and are often dealt with privately. Research has shown that avoiding conversations on difficult topics causes more anxiety in the long term. Taboo Health (opens in new window) is a non-profit collective of health educators, creatives, and advocates who curate art and design exhibits that address the most challenging health topics. Taboo Health believes that art is powerful, evidence matters, and dialogue is necessary. By using art to share information about health issues, they are slowly making everyone feel more comfortable discussing their physical and mental well-being with others.
The founder, Maria Cheung, heard that her roommate viewed a local art exhibit that had artwork inspired by sexually transmitted diseases. With a background in public health, Maria was very intrigued and wanted to learn more about how art can be used to bring more awareness to sensitive health topics in a creative manner. The Taboo Health team then began bringing art pieces to medical trade shows, capturing the attention of clinicians and health care workers. The startup combines perspectives from families, researchers, clinicians, and community members to combat the stigma against various “taboo” health issues.
Yalla! Let’s Talk
Members of the Arab community often struggle to find a safe space to express their feelings. Yalla! Lets Talk (opens in new window) is a digital platform designed to bring young Arab millennials and Gen Z together, allowing them to connect and share their experiences. They believe in the importance of fostering an inclusive community where Arabs do not feel isolated or rejected by their peers. The mental and emotional well-being of these individuals is often not addressed, but Yalla! Let’s Talk is dedicated to making Arab voices heard.
Founder Hani Al-Dajane and co-founder Mays Alwash, began this project after noticing that not many people wanted to talk about stigmatized topics in the Arab community. They then realized that people did want to have these conversations, but they did not have a space where they felt comfortable enough to share their thoughts. They noticed that the narratives were not too different from others, but they had just never received as much awareness. The lack of representation and discourses for Arab people caused them to feel emotionally isolated, but Yalla! Let’s Talk is changing the narratives.
Vesta SIT
One in 4 women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their life and for every 100 cases of sexual assault, less than 6 percent of them are reported. These numbers show the harsh reality we live in and how prevalent this issue has become. However, this does not only affect women. Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault including men, youth, boys, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Vesta (opens in new window) is a digital platform that is dedicated to eliminating rape culture and helping sexual assault victims report their cases in a safe and confidential manner. The Vesta team has worked with therapists and investigators to ensure that their system is both comforting and therapeutic, but also efficient for users. This is particularly important considering how sexual assault can be a very traumatizing event for individuals. The platform is accessible for users 24/7, allowing them to immediately report incidents and recollect their memories by responding to evidence-based questions. When a victim submits a report, investigators will help support their investigation based on the information that the victim has provided. Vesta continues to actively support those who have experienced sexual assault by helping them recieve justice, slowly putting an end to sex-based crimes.
Mental Health Resources
If you are experiencing mental health issues, know that you are not alone. In addition to the resources listed above, here are some resources that exist to support you.
CAMH Resources (external link, opens in new window)
Ontario Mental Health Resources (external link, opens in new window)
(PDF file) Toronto Mental Health Resources (external link, opens in new window)