It's time to ACT

"I'm not sure whether this idea is worth the effort" - is what I think the majority of us feel at some point. But we have to take the leap and make damn sure we believe in what we're doing. For me, I finally had a moment where that passion was sparked and it's something I've always been passionate about - mental health.

After what feels like the worst of COVID (at least in Spain) is finally subsiding, I know that a lot of people are still deeply affected by recent events, our futures, jobs, lives are all in limbo and on the line. A lot of us are continuing to look for ways to maintain our clarity and purpose, whether you are working on your big idea, taking care of your family, holding down a job, or all the above. However a lot of us are still hurting, myself included, from the effects of isolation, fear, and uncertainty. But this reality has given me an opportunity to do something for others. So I'm building an app for those who need to stay connected to their values, maintain momentum and continue to take committed action every day towards your goals and the things you value.

As I started my research I came across a widely well known and practiced framework called ACT (Awareness and commitment therapy) a very approachable, clear, and well researched framework actively taught to clients with mental health challenges. Aside from the core principles around awareness, values, and committed action that I love, the existing ACT apps out there are outdated and not effective imo. I decided to use that to form the framework for my idea and have gained some traction with an ACT therapist is very excited about it and sharing his knowledge freely, and admits we need a better act app.

I have a lot of doubts around building an app for mental health. I have a lot of personal experience and compassion due to my own mental health challenges, but I'm not an expert. There are also the privacy issues surrounding these apps (~90% of mental health apps share data with third parties) for example. I'm also concerned about how to measure the efficacy of this with real people, and actually helping people. These are some of my doubts, but I think with the right framework, empathy, knowledge, and skill, this can really be of great use to many people.

If you've read this far, I wish you the best on your journey, and want to embrace this community of others working on their big ideas.

Watch this space!