Community Mental Health Counselor

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Winston Scorchill (Happy Hoppers, Goofy Gophers)

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

scorchill@protonmail.com

Additional applicants

None

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Other

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our solution aims to address the problem of limited accessibility and affordability in mental health support by establishing a decentralized network of community psychotherapists on the Cardano blockchain. We perceive the problem as a significant barrier preventing individuals from receiving the mental health care they need, leading to untreated conditions, reduced well-being, and societal repercussions.

We have chosen a decentralized approach because it allows for greater accessibility, transparency, and scalability. By leveraging the Cardano blockchain, we can ensure security, privacy, and immutable record-keeping, which are crucial in the mental health domain. Additionally, utilizing smart contracts on Cardano enables seamless payment processing and incentivizes therapist participation.

Our project will engage both mental health providers and individuals seeking support. We will onboard licensed and certified psychotherapists who are passionate about serving their communities. Users will have access to a user-friendly platform to find and connect with therapists, schedule appointments, and securely communicate.

To demonstrate impact, we will track several metrics. These include the number of therapists onboarded, the volume of mental health sessions conducted, user satisfaction ratings, and feedback on the platform's usability. Long-term impact will be assessed by monitoring changes in mental health outcomes, such as reduced stress levels, improved coping mechanisms, and enhanced overall well-being within the community.

What sets our solution apart is the utilization of Cardano's blockchain technology, ensuring trust, security, and transparency in mental health services. The community will benefit from increased accessibility, reduced costs, and a wider range of available therapists. By addressing mental health needs, we contribute to the overall well-being and resilience of individuals, strengthening the Cardano ecosystem as a whole.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Beyond funding the project team, our project will have a significant impact on the Cardano ecosystem and bring substantial value. The project's potential impact can be observed in the following aspects:

1. Community Growth: Our project will attract individuals who are seeking accessible and affordable mental health support. This will bring new users to the Cardano community, expanding its reach and diversifying its user base. The project's user-friendly platform and innovative approach will serve as a gateway for individuals who may not have previously interacted with blockchain technology.
2. Strengthened Ecosystem: By demonstrating the practical application of blockchain technology in the mental health domain, our project strengthens Cardano's reputation as a versatile and impactful platform. It showcases Cardano's capabilities beyond financial transactions, highlighting its potential to address real-world challenges and enhance societal well-being.
3. Addressing a Key Problem: The project tackles the well-documented problem of limited accessibility and affordability in mental health care. By providing a decentralized network of community psychotherapists, we offer a solution that directly addresses this key issue. This not only improves individual well-being but also contributes to a healthier and more resilient community within the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Usage and Transactions: In terms of usage and transactions, we anticipate a significant increase in activity within a reasonable timeframe. While specific figures depend on several factors, including market adoption and outreach efforts, we expect thousands of users to access mental health services through our platform. This will result in a substantial volume of transactions, including appointment bookings, payments, and secure communication within the platform.
5. Social and Economic Value: The project's impact extends beyond the Cardano ecosystem, benefiting society at large. By improving mental health outcomes and making therapy more accessible and affordable, we contribute to overall societal well-being. This, in turn, has economic implications by reducing the burden on traditional healthcare systems and increasing individuals' productivity and quality of life.

Quantifying the exact impact in terms of user growth, usage, and economic value is subject to various factors and may require continuous monitoring and analysis. However, by addressing a pressing problem, attracting new users, showcasing Cardano's capabilities, and contributing to societal well-being, our project brings tangible and meaningful value to the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Exit interviews, surveys for feedback

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Feedback

Results

Testimonials

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

I am an unlicensed mental health worker with 6 years of experience.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals of our project are as follows:

1. Goal: Increase accessibility to mental health support.

• Validation: Measure the number of individuals who have accessed mental health services through our platform. Conduct user satisfaction surveys to assess the ease of access and quality of care received.

1. Goal: Reduce the financial barrier to mental health care.

• Validation: Analyze the cost savings achieved by users compared to traditional mental health services. Monitor the number of individuals who were able to afford therapy due to our platform's affordability.

1. Goal: Foster a decentralized community of psychotherapists.

• Validation: Track the number of licensed and certified psychotherapists who join our network. Evaluate their engagement and participation in providing mental health services to the community.

1. Goal: Improve overall mental health outcomes.

• Validation: Assess changes in user-reported mental health indicators, such as reduced stress levels, improved coping mechanisms, and enhanced overall well-being. Conduct follow-up surveys to measure the sustained impact over time.

1. Goal: Demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of blockchain technology in mental health care.

• Validation: Monitor the number of mental health sessions conducted and the seamless processing of payments through smart contracts. Evaluate the platform's performance in handling increasing user demand and transactions.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will implement the following strategies:

1. Pilot Testing: We will conduct a pilot program in a specific community to assess the practicality and effectiveness of our platform. This will help us identify potential challenges, refine our processes, and validate the feasibility of our approach in a real-world setting.
2. User Feedback and Iterative Development: We will actively seek user feedback throughout the project lifecycle. Regular user testing, surveys, and feedback loops will inform continuous improvements to the platform's usability, functionality, and overall user experience.
3. Partnerships with Mental Health Professionals: Collaborating with licensed mental health professionals and seeking their input on our approach will help validate its feasibility from a clinical perspective. Their expertise will ensure that our platform aligns with industry standards and best practices.
4. Technological Scalability: We will closely monitor the performance of our platform as user demand increases. By conducting stress tests and implementing scalable infrastructure, we will ensure that the technological backbone of our project can handle higher transaction volumes and maintain seamless service delivery.

In conclusion, our goals encompass improving accessibility, affordability, community engagement, mental health outcomes, and showcasing the viability of blockchain technology. Through pilot testing, user feedback, professional collaborations, and technological scalability, we will validate the feasibility of our approach and make necessary adjustments to achieve our project objectives.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestones will be activated according to hours worked and time logged.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

I will provide daily hours allocated to providing one on one psychotherapy services.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Average wage of unlicensed health care workers is between 20-30 USD hourly.

6 months work

24 weeks * 40 hours a week = 960 hours total

960 hours * $20 an hour = 19200 USD = 64000 ADA at $0.30

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The value for money proposition is high when compared to the average cost of mental health services using US data.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept