Pro Bono Services and Sponsorship
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the tress, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Levitivus 27:30 (NIV)
Why? I just want to do my part.
Mental health issues are on the rise. Whether it is stress and anxiety, internet addiction, or chronic illness, when our community is not well as a whole and people are not happily thriving, we are all affected.
It's all around us. Here are some alarming facts.
In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness.
The 12-month prevalence of major depressive episodes rose from 4.7% in 2012 to 7.6% in 2022, while generalized anxiety disorder doubled from 2.6% to 5.2%.
39% of Ontario high school students report moderate-to-serious psychological distress, with 17% experiencing serious distress.
Many face financial barriers—15% report cost as a reason for not seeking help.
$17.1 billion spent on mental health care in 2019, covering hospitals, medications, community care, physician services, and outpatient therapy
$20.7 billion/year lost in productivity due to mental health-related absenteeism and reduced workforce participation. When including indirect costs (like lost productivity and social services), the overall economic burden is estimated at $50–51 billion annually, roughly 2.8 % of GDP.
My goal
I want to promote a healthier society where people have increased awareness and less stigma toward mental health challenges. Mental health issues can affect all of us, our loved ones, our neighbours, our family and friends. This effect ripples through one's immediate surroundings and into the community. By seven degrees of separation, it affects everyone in the world. But together, we can fight against increasing mental health issues in our community and stigma to protect what we value the most.
This is the reason why I want to reach out to people who do not have the financial means (personal savings, insurances, etc.) to seek therapeutic support. I will put aside a minimum 10% of my work hours, which equals to 3-4 hours, a week to provide pro bono virtual psychotherapy and in-home music therapy services to the underserved. Service is only available to those who do not have access to insurance, is currently without work, and under special circumstances.
If you have minimal coverage by insurance, we can also work out a plan that can be financially feasible for you.
Contact me to book a pro bono session for yourself or someone you love.
Ways you can actively or passively help someone who is struggling with mental health challenges:
Be understanding and support them by listening compassionately and actively. Loneliness can exacerbate the decline of mental health (and physical health!) and create comorbid issues.
Learn more about mental health to increase your own awareness and to destigmatise it.
Suggest them to seek professional help.
Participate in mental health related events in your community to show your support.
For $25 a month, you can sponsor my cause by becoming a supporter so I can offer more pro bono hours per week.