Please describe your proposed solution.
Context:
Suicide is the leading killer of men under the age of 50.
"For 20 years, self-harm rates have increased, particularly among young people, and have more than doubled in England since the turn of the millennium. Among those surveyed by Samaritans, three-quarters had harmed themselves more severely after viewing self-harm content online. Some 78% of people with lived experience of suicidality and self-harm want new laws to make online spaces safer. The internet can be an invaluable space for individuals to access support and to express difficult feelings, but its algorithms can also barrage people with content that encourages or exacerbates self-harm and suicidal behaviours."
- <https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2023-02-03/debates/2971DD4D-723B-479E-BECE-A4D29D20C2E2/OFCOM(DutyRegardingPreventionOfSeriousSelf-HarmAndSuicide)Bill(HL)>
Increasingly people are entering the online and digital world.
If you are reading this now, you are probably on your phone and on the internet.
From young people, to tech savvy entrepreneurs, the digital economy promises a world of opportunity.
Paradoxically, with the rise of digitalisation and increased connectivity in an ever shrinking, globalized world, with social media platforms accomodating over a billion users, the number of people feeling anxiety, depression, loneliness, social isolation, and mental health problems is on the up.
This proposal is a call to action and a litmus test to see if the Project Catalyst voting community resonate with the issues I am putting on the table.
I lost a childhood friend to suicide.
I have since spent the past 6-7 years trying to make sense of things.
I remember our last conversations vividly.
His downward spiral of physical and mental health, the weight of putting on a smile and a brave face despite chronic pain. This led to him going on sick leave and then unemployment…
There are millions of people in situations where the daily struggle of life can beat down on them.
Web3, Cardano and DAOs all promise a vision of a world and future where everyone is included, and can find a safe place.
#TogetherStronger
#WAGMI (We Are Gonna Make It)
These hashtags all don't mean a thing if in the real world the very same people writing them, reading them, are feeling pain and suffering, have nowhere to go, and can see no clear way to feel better.
This DAO will seek to create a dedicated space for those who have suffered with the loss of someone, or are dealing mental health challenges of their own, or know someone who is.
To offer a place to really connect with one another and uplift ourselves through stories, art, dialogue and purpose driven activities that help people find hope again through action.
DAOs can facilitate a unified force and collective, where the sum is greater than its parts. This can mean a lot to someone who feels isolated, without purpose, and lacking the support and inspiration that tomorrow, or the day after can and might be better.
This DAO will seek to engage all of the above and those who have found a way of healing through art, poetry, music, entrepreneurship, and positive action. Through these stories of triumph, of overcoming all odds, and with opening doors for collaboration, individuals of all backgrounds may start to believe in themselves and in a brighter future.
The technology is here merely to facilitate the coming together, creation and exchange of value.
Behind the scenes, and regardless of if this proposal is funded, I have been working on bringing together people from the Cardano community and in the wider world, from the across sectors, to create and support a collaborative multimedia art collection combining poetry, art, music, spoken word and funding for mental health programmes using Cardano4Good NFT technology.
The aim is to raise funds in support of mental health programs.
Important work is being done to support those who are suffering from mental health problems, and also those who are left behind when their loved one dies from suicide. However, such programmes and organisations are in a fragmented landscape, seen as inaccessible, and severely underfunded.
How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?
DAOs love Cardano and with love we can heal, ourselves and each other.
Cardano needs:
- Effective Collaboration Management Platforms to Organize Community Intentions and Actions
This Mental Health DAO can become the meeting point and place where all stories can intersect.
Why is it important?
They say health is wealth. Let's invest in ourselves and each other from the inside out and the outside in, to have a strong foundation of which to build a better world, for all, and with all.
How does success looks like?
This DAO can become a model for the entire ecosystem.
How do you intend to measure the success of your project?
Key Metrics to measure
- Number of Communities engaged in collaboration using the Mental Health DAO portal
- By the feedback given of the members and participants via surveys
- Number of people signed up to support the causes and missions in petitions, campaigns
Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?
Social media platforms and partner organisations that fundraise for mental health programmes