Mental Health Care Breaks Beyond the Clinic
From barbershop mental health training, to gamified virtual health care workers and boxing for wellbeing, we take a look at a new wave of mental health initiatives making care more approachable and accessible.
Putting Mental Health in the Barber Shop Hot Seat
Across Australia and the US, we're seeing barber shops become the new front line for mental health services. From a pop-up barbershop by US brand Gymshark, to the mental health first aid training being provided out of Tasmania through the Barbers for Life program - these initiatives are providing a safe space to chat with someone you're already comfortable with - your local barber.
Gamifying Virtual Health in Goodville
Stork Limited and the World Health Organization have collaborated to launch a new virtual healthcare worker in the globally available emotional wellbeing app ‘Goodville’. With a focus on delivering physical and emotional wellbeing tips & advice, the new character Florence is helping to deliver easy access to health care services in a safe and approachable environment.
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Punching for Purpose
Global charity Bartender Boxing Organization (BBO) held their latest Sydney-based event this past Sunday. Founded with the purpose of supporting and improving health and wellbeing in the service industry, BBO runs a 12 week physical training program for participants that’s structured around their hospitality schedules, and couples as a support network - all leading up to a main charity event (a live boxing match!). The program aims to promote awareness of the serious health and wellbeing challenges faced in the industry, and highlight the importance of providing support initiatives for employees.
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So What?
In a time where people’s mental health is an ever increasing concern, a new approach to health care is required to keep pace with demand, and deliver advice or treatment that is suitable, accessible, and effective for extremely diverse situations and demographics.
This comes with first developing a deeper understanding of the complex conditions and situations we’re designing for, and embracing the benefits of co-design to deliver solutions that are both effective, and fit into existing routines.
How else might we reimagine pre-established mental health services and treatment practices to better reach communities in need, on their terms?