Shreeya Giri: The Mind Behind “Happy Minds”
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Shreeya Giri found herself alone in London, struggling with depression, loneliness, and anxiety. As the world around her seemed to come to a halt, she realized how much the mental health system was lacking. Instead of letting her difficulties hold her back, Shreeya turned her experience into a driving force for change. This is how Shreeya Giri: The Mind Behind Happy Minds began her journey.
After deciding to return to Nepal, she set out to address these gaps by improving mental health care and encouraging open, stigma-free conversations about mental health. Just as personal struggles can lead to brilliant ideas, Shreeya’s mental health challenges inspired her to launch Happy Minds. Her journey shows how personal struggles can lead to powerful and positive change.
Happy Minds is an innovative online platform dedicated to enhancing mental health and well-being for Nepali people. Happy Minds connects individuals with licensed and accredited therapists from diverse backgrounds. The organization promotes mental hygiene, offers online psychotherapy services, and ensures culturally sensitive care.
The platform specializes in various services, including an Employee Assistance Program, online counseling, psychotherapy, mental health awareness, and employee well-being initiatives. It provides support for overcoming personal challenges and fostering workplace well-being. The organization is committed to making quality mental health care accessible and stigma-free for everyone.
The true innovation of Happy Minds, as Shreeya explained, lies in its ability to digitalize diverse mental health care services tailored specifically for Nepali communities worldwide. She shared how the platform offers counseling services seven days a week, with flexible online scheduling to accommodate different time zones. Shreeya emphasized that Happy Minds is inclusive in its approach, providing support in local languages like Newa Bhasa, ensuring therapy rooms are wheelchair-accessible, and offering queer-affirmative counselors. She also highlighted their partnerships with organizations to provide sponsored counseling services for employees.
Shreeya made it clear that Happy Minds is more than just a platform—it’s a community initiative dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health within Nepali communities across the globe. She passionately discussed how the platform emphasizes inclusivity and culturally sensitive care, ensuring that everyone can access the support they need. Through this journey, Shreeya has reinforced her belief in the importance of accessible resources and supportive environments for mental well-being. She expressed her admiration for the courage of individuals who seek help and urged everyone to prioritize their mental health, reminding us that together, we can create a more compassionate approach to mental health.
Shreeya views her recognition on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list as a pivotal moment in her career. She sees it as an honor to elevate the mental health sector and her initiative, Happy Minds, both in our country and across Asia.
This accolade has fostered a safe environment where more people feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges and past experiences. Since the Forbes announcement, she has observed a significant increase in individuals seeking help. Furthermore, this recognition has advanced the workplace mental health initiative. It has enhanced awareness among corporations about the critical need for employee well-being support.
Shreeya Giri grew up in Nepal in a large, close-knit family. Despite being introverted and struggling with social skills, she found solace in classical dance, training for nearly nine years. Her upbringing was steeped in cultural traditions, balanced by a family who valued curiosity, learning, and travel. Although she initially struggled academically, moving to London for higher education broadened her perspective. Furthermore, it deepened her appreciation for education and research.
Shreeya prioritizes relaxation and recharge time daily, finding sanctuary in her activities at Pump. She makes time for friends, workouts, and leisure activities like gardening and exploring Kathmandu. When faced with challenges, she seeks guidance from mentors and peers. Moreover, she attends monthly therapy sessions to maintain a healthy outlook on life.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey with Happy Minds, Shreeya advises her younger self to embrace resilience and patience. She mentions that building a meaningful initiative requires time and perseverance. So, it’s crucial to stay focused on the long-term vision while adapting to challenges and setbacks.
Shreeya Giri turned her mental health struggles into a catalyst for change. The idea for Happy Minds sparked when she was at her lowest. Today, her small idea has grown into something big. Shreeya’s journey highlights the transformative power of resilience and is truly inspiring.
Author: Sesam Rana Magar