To have Peace on the outside,
one must have Peace
on the inside;
and Peace on the inside
first requires
Mental Wellness
a global imperative
The
CHALLENGE
THE WORLD
A 2018 Lancet Commission report (attribution) on mental health estimates that lack of mental wellness will cost the world $16 Trillion by 2030. COVID-19 and its related economic impacts are further exacerbating these rising global challenges. It can be argued that most of the current challenges facing humanity are derived of the lack of ‘Mental Wellness’ across humanity.
It is also clear that no human on the planet goes untouched by mental health issues, directly or within our immediate constellation of family, friends and associate.
In part this rapidly emerging challenge reflects the lack of mental health and wellness education across the world’s K-12 curriculum. It also reflects the numerous cultural and legal stigma associated with the soft science of healing our tender psyches and ever diverse formational childhood issues.
THE REFUGEES
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 79.5 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide (attribution). The variety of conditions that have led to, and are a result of, this uprooting and displacement results in a wide range of long-lasting mental health problems and disorders that have significant negative individual and societal impacts.
These challenges are pertinent to refugees in both refugee camps, and far worse, detention centers, diminishing their potential to live a fulfilled and productive life, even in the best case, when relocated into new and safe societies.
Further, the overwhelming preponderance of these disorders, typically within overcrowded facilities, are contributing daunting challenges for the limited number of mental health professionals available to help these displaced populations as they await resettlement or asylum decisions.
OUR
INSPIRATION
We believe that a consistent experience of Mental Wellness is the optimal condition upon which, and by which, the displaced might be harmoniously accepted and integrated within, and contribute to, their new homes.
We also believe that Mental Wellness is a basic human right.
Accordingly, we came to this UN75 Global Governance Forum (attribution) activity in support of three strategic declarations with the inspiration to conjure at least one concrete solution we might design, finance and deploy to positively results on our target audience of refugees, migrants and the disenfranchised:
- First and foremost we support the UN75 Declaration’s strategic focus of: “The World that we want, and the UN that we need.” We are specifically aligned with its documented assertions:
“We will leave no one behind”
“We will promote peace and prevent conflicts”
- Secondly, we actively support the acceleration and global adoption of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly as they relate to supporting the UN’s “Human Rights” Pillar. Our project is explicitly focused on facilitating SDG 3.4 focus on “Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being.”
- Finally, we have come together in support of our shared belief that: “To have Peace on the outside, one must have Peace on the inside; and Peace on the inside first requires Mental Wellness.”
We are excited to contribute.
INSPIRATION
OUR
FOCUS
While identifying and prioritizing solutions the world’s greatest mental health-centric challenges, we chose to target “Mental Wellness”, which we view as a positively aspirational subset of the greater “Mental Health” field. Mental Wellness focuses on solutions for globally widespread mental health problems and disorders such as stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, Complex PTSD, and suicide.
We focus on these maladies versus the far less prevalent, yet far more severe, Mental Health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolarity and psychosis.
Our Global Mental Wellness Project brings together stakeholders and passionate experts recruited from across a wide range of complementary domains of mental health, psychotherapy, epidemiology, academic research, narrative therapy, family systems theory, mass and social media, global media and public relations, public-private partnerships, international project management, financing, activist communities, and empowerment-centric scaling technology.
Our initial mission is to create an initial application, plus a promotional campaign, that brings to the world’s refugee population not only awareness but proven and successful mental wellness methodologies, psychological healing, education, support for their personal and interpersonal resilience, and their meaningful economic and societal reintegration into their new homes.
OUR
FIRST
PROJECT
Our first goal was to develop a first project which would augment existing stretched health care, governmental, and social services systems in their bid to bring “mental wellness” as we define it to their most needy and worthy clients. We envisioned a campaign that brings to the world’s refugee population not only awareness but proven and successful mental wellness methodologies, psychological healing, education, support for their personal and interpersonal resilience, and their meaningful economic and societal reintegration into their new homes.
We began brainstorming with several agencies in mind as possible pilot beneficiaries that are currently delivering refugee services.
Deploying Storytelling – The World’s Oldest Psychotherapeutic Practice
We made the decision to leverage the deployment of ‘narrative therapy’ as the foundation of a first application we could develop, finance and deploy, along with the necessary expertise, guidance, measurement, leadership, distribution and promotion required to optimize our chances for success.
This choice reflects the proven value of story-telling over the millennia as a form of education, a therapeutic solution, and a tool for discovering identity. Narrative therapy [attribution] is an effective approach for reducing the effects of trauma in refugees and preventing mental disorders. Furthermore, narrative therapy can be provided by trained laypersons or paraprofessionals and is applicable across cultures and settings.
Please follow this website for progress as we evolve this project.
OUR PROJECT’S FUTURE
Once proven as successful with pre/post data analysis we plan to aggressively expand upon and scale this first project across the refugee eco-system as it is welcomed.
Ultimately, we hope to bring a derivative of this first solution – and more mental wellness value – to all global populations as part of a global “Mental Wellness Moonshot”campaign.
If inspired by this thought we invite you to reach out per below contact information.
OUTREACH
WHO
WE
ARE
Our SDG-aligned Global Mental Wellness partnership brings together stakeholders professional mental health, psychotherapy, epidemiology, academic research, narrative therapy, family systems theory, mass and social media, refugee and diplomatic services, global media and public relations, public-private partnerships, international project management, financing, empowerment-centric scaling technology, and related activist communities to bring not only awareness but proven and successful mental wellness programs and education to people worldwide, with a primary focus on the world’s refugee population.
We have come together in support of our shared belief that:
“To have Peace on the outside, one must have Peace on the inside; and Peace on the inside first requires Mental Wellness.”
David C.Traub
David C. Traub
Project Co-Founder, Co-Leader, Spokesperson, Press & Media Contact
David C. Traub is Co-Founder of Epiphany Film Fund, and another dynamic co-founding partner in our Global Mental Health & Wellness Program. David enjoys nearly four decades of experience as a social impact media producer (Steve Jobs movie, multiple social benefit concerts and events; including multiple within the UN during the last several General Assembly’s; entrepreneur and venture catalyst; etc.). Most importantly, David is a 36-year mental health media and technology activist; educator (Harvard Graduate School of Education, with parallel work at MIT’s Media Lab) ‘propagandist’ (UC Berkeley); entrepreneur (he developed the “17 Questions Mythological Evaluation” platform for identifying one’s personal mythology and life purpose); and philanthropist (he has co-produced multiple mental health/social impact-centric fundraiser concerts and award-winning mental health-related video games). David was the originator of the concept of a music/celebrity-powered mental health roundtable, and with founding partner Barry Perkins, David is a Producer for the UN75 Global Governance Forum Mental Wellness for the World’s Growing Refugees, Migrants, and Disenfranchised Peoples roundtable.
Please use the contact form below
to reach out for any reason!
Barry N. Perkins
Project Co-Founder, Co-Leader, Spokesperson, Press & Media Contact
Barry N. Perkins is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Tesseract Group, a former many-decade Oracle executive, investor, entrepreneur, idealist, and co-founding partner in our Global Mental Health & Wellness program. Barry leverages his gift for multi-dimensional thought and passion to help others, balancing theory and research with practical knowledge and extensive project execution experience, to turn vision into reality. He thrives on solving complex challenges, constructing, leading, and working with partnerships and teams, to make the impossible possible, through creative & innovative thought, learning, understanding, education, diligent & thoughtful hard work, and tenacity. Barry has extensive international business, technology (including Artificial Intelligence), and project management experience in healthcare, addiction, and mental health, incorporating partnerships, social enterprise, and corporate sponsorship. Along with founding partner David C. Traub, Barry is a Producer for the UN75 Global Governance Forum Mental Wellness for the World’s Growing Refugees, Migrants, and Disenfranchised Peoples roundtable.
JOIN our MAILING LIST
Your information will never be sold or transferred, and an opt-out option is available with each mailing.