Grade 9 student Aarav is breaking down barriers to make mental health support more accessible
By Aarav, Grade 9, East Campus, and UWCSEA Communications Team
22 November 2024
At UWCSEA East Campus, R U OK? Day is a reminder to check in with one another and spark conversations about mental health. This global movement is dedicated to breaking the silence around hidden struggles. Grade 9 student Aarav shares his journey with Mind Mirths, a project that’s all about building a compassionate community committed to lifting each other up and providing greater accessibility to mental health support.
Aarav, Grade 9, created a real-world solution for mental health support, empowering his peers to prioritise their mental health on their terms through Mind Mirths.
Addressing mental health challenges with Mind Mirths
In October 2023, I competed in Mindful Hacks, a 24-hour mental health-themed student coding competition. After winning the hackathon, I became a part of the Impart Accelerator Programme, which supports youth-led projects around mental health and awareness. I received funding of $2,300 from Impart and partnered with two clinics, the Centre for Psychotherapy and Heart’s Quest, to provide therapy services on Mind Mirths.
I’m grateful to Ms Cindy Tisdall-McPhee, the Chair of Counselling, for supporting me in creating Mind Mirths. I first shared the idea for the platform with her in May, and she guided me in making it more inclusive for our community. She also helped integrate Mind Mirths with the UWCSEA Wellbeing Hub, so parents and students can access the platform with ease.
I’ve always had a passion for creating projects that make a positive impact on the world around me. I’ve learned so much about innovation at UWCSEA, specifically in programming and working with hardware applications. Developing these skills since Grade 5, I thought about how I could make a difference at school using the skills and technology I have.
I created Mind Mirths, an online platform that helps people understand their mental health in a private low-pressure setting, after noticing that some of my friends were struggling to navigate their mental health issues. I wanted my peers to have a safe, non-judgmental space after realising many of them didn’t seek help because they were afraid other people would find out about their struggles.
Mind Mirths provides lots of tools for people to decide how much information they want to share. For example, you can interact with an AI chatbot, which doesn’t require any personal information, or complete a mental health screener, where you can choose to provide personal details. There’s also an option to connect with a therapist at an affordable cost.
Mind Mirths is an online platform that connects young people with experienced mental health professionals.
Why compassion is important in making a more inclusive community
I strongly believe in the UWCSEA values of Inclusion, Openness, and Compassion, which inspired me to create Mind Mirths. These values spurred me to develop a platform that’s accessible to everyone, empowering them with opportunities to seek support for their mental health needs. It’s important to safeguard people's privacy while offering a space where they can confide in trusted experts.
As I look to the future, my goal is for more young people to have access to Mind Mirths, beyond our community at UWCSEA. I’m hoping to forge more partnerships with mental health clinics, so there would be a bigger network of therapy providers available on the platform. When there’s more access to affordable and effective mental health support, we reduce the stigma associated with mental health and cultivate a more compassionate environment for young people everywhere, be it at our College or other schools.
Inspired by R U OK? Day, Aarav created Mind Mirths to encourage open conversations on mental health and wellbeing.
Mind Mirths aims to tackle the challenges of early detection, stigma, and privacy concerns associated with mental health. By providing a safe and accessible platform, we hope to empower individuals to seek help without fear of judgment.
Creating Mind Mirths has been an incredibly rewarding journey. It has allowed me to combine my passion for technology with my desire to make a positive impact on the world. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of prioritising mental health. By breaking down barriers, we can work towards a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.