Mindfulness and Positive Psychology Key to Mental Health

PS. Be Bold and Fierce is committed to crafting innovative and holistic solutions that effectively tackle the prevailing mental health challenges individuals encounter today. Recognizing the expansive nature of mental health, the organization acknowledges a pronounced treatment gap at various levels. To bridge this gap, PS. prioritizes a non-institutional approach that encompasses the mind, body, and environment, promoting optimal health and recovery.

The organization’s core philosophy centers on empowerment, emphasizing the cultivation of resilience and the transformation of the world through the synergies of art, design, science, and technology.

In an insightful conversation with The Interview World, Pooja Singh, the Founder of PS. Be Bold and Fierce, sheds light on how her organization is actively working towards making mental healthcare accessible and affordable. Here, we share excerpts from her interview.

Q: Tell us about your product.

A: Introducing a mental health prevention kit designed for early detection, our emphasis is on mindfulness and positive psychology within a comprehensive 4-point framework. While the startup landscape predominantly gravitates towards Artificial Intelligence, our product uniquely centers around emotional health, underscoring the significance of human connection.

Within our 4-point framework, we address nutrition, psychosomatics, emotional regulation, and social inclusion, categorizing them into six distinct areas: playfulness, self-love, productivity, creativity, inner intuition, and relationships. Each category delves into the underlying emotions, such as guilt for productivity and shame for creativity, offering a thoughtful approach to addressing these sentiments.

The essence of our product lies in providing tools that facilitate enjoyable engagement with each activity. Presented in a visually appealing hamper format, it aims to make these practices accessible to everyone, encouraging contemplation at the very least.

Included in the package is a journaling book employing a 3-point framework—past, present, and future. The book poses simple, non-intrusive questions, guiding users through a step-by-step thought process. The intention is to uncover the mental blocks hindering progress and understanding the associated emotions. This introspective journey proves valuable, particularly when individuals struggle to articulate their thoughts. Our approach isn’t just about creating a marketable product; instead, we focus on translating abstract concepts into tangible experiences.

Our collaboration with medical professionals involves ongoing conversations to pinpoint potential improvements and address any concerns, with the ultimate goal of not only providing a product but also contributing to the prevention of suicide. We bridge the gap between conceptual ideas and tangible tools, fostering acceptance within the medical community for a proactive approach to mental health.

Q: What is the main objective behind this product?

A: If you encounter any issues, it’s advisable not to delay seeking assistance. Particularly, if you sustain a severe knee injury, prompt action is crucial. Determining the severity of the injury involves seeking professional medical advice. Besides the physical aspect, it’s equally important to monitor the mental and emotional aspects of your recovery, ensuring it progresses at a steady pace.

Delaying intervention may lead to a critical situation where psychological distress, extreme anger, or frustration becomes overwhelming, prompting a belated visit to the doctor. Such delays often result in added feelings of guilt regarding societal perceptions.

To address this concern, we are actively working on solutions. Simultaneously, we recognize the perceived magnitude of the problem, as individuals may perceive it as a recurring issue. The dropout rate tends to escalate, with a significant spike occurring after the third instance.

When the minimum of 10 sessions is required to identify and initiate a shift in the individual’s thought process based on their set intentions, our approach provides a differentiative progress.

Q: How will those dropouts fulfill the objective of your products?

A: Engaging in therapy involves various activities aimed at fostering self-awareness and well-being. Initially, the process begins with open communication, allowing individuals to express their thoughts and emotions—a crucial first step. Following this, the focus shifts to identifying specific activities discussed during the session.

A common challenge arises when, upon leaving the therapy room, individuals tend to forget the activities mentioned. This forgetfulness often leads to feelings of time constraints and doubt about the understanding and feasibility of the recommended tasks. The key lies in transforming these activities into tangible, well-articulated objectives.

This transformation serves as a constant reminder, making the goals more manageable and less overwhelming. The designed product exemplifies this approach, presenting a clear and structured plan. It is intentionally designed not to feel like a daunting puzzle, but rather a series of manageable steps.

Whether you choose to tackle these objectives in a week or a month, the flexible nature of the process accommodates various timelines. The important aspect is recognizing that progress is achievable at one’s own pace. Simultaneously, the act of writing and reflecting post-venting contributes to an ongoing introspective process.

This reflective phase proves beneficial, especially for those who may hesitate to seek professional help. Even if one decides not to consult a therapist, the articulation of thoughts and emotions becomes a valuable self-help tool. The ability to express oneself becomes a significant factor in navigating one’s mental and emotional landscape.

Q: Who did review your product?

A: Being a Symbiosis graduate and studying international research has made the development of the current product possible. Consequently, we’re progressing to the next phase – clinical trials. The perceived effectiveness aligns with our expectations, prompting a meticulous process of fine-tuning through addition, subtraction, and value addition. Securing funds marked a crucial milestone in this venture.

Integrating research of global academia into the Indian market, however, poses challenges due to contrasting consumer behavior and social dynamics.

A strategic approach involves introducing this concept in a more confined market where its impact can be maximized. Furthermore, the current market lacks products catering to holistic well-being. While emotional release and understanding of fears are sought after, such products are conspicuously absent. Drawing a parallel to historical needs, like the indispensability of tea during travel, underscores the necessity for innovative solutions.

In the present era, we envision creating products that meet latent needs, akin to the role tea played in its time. This proactive approach seeks to deter individuals from resorting to medical intervention at the eleventh hour when conditions have already deteriorated significantly.