The mental health crisis affecting women is a complex and multifaceted issue influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors and conditioning. This crisis has systemic roots in a patriarchal, capitalistic, and racist society,  as those systems work against women's natural wiring for connection, nurturing, and collaboration. 

Women are disproportionately impacted by mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. With studies indicating that one in five women will experience a mental health disorder annually, the repercussions extend beyond individual struggles, negatively affecting families, communities, organizations, and economies at large. 

Project Transparency

This page documents the project management of a study into the efficacy and feasibility of developing a custom mental fitness coaching program that addresses and supports women in developing resilience skills to promote holistic wellness and manage stress and burnout. Over four months, this page will continue to evolve as the project progresses. The final result will be a visual presentation of the study's findings, which will be presented in May 2025.

Executive Summary
The research project aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of creating a mental fitness program designed and tailored for women. 

The report synthesizes the research and the development phase of building the program. It will share research and program planning to determine the efficacy and feasibility of developing a new mental fitness program that supports professional mid-career women in reducing stress and burnout, increasing work-life balance, and improving overall well-being. 

Additionally, this report aims to raise awareness and drive meaningful change in promoting mental wellness for women worldwide.

Need Summary
The mental health crisis affecting women is a complex and multifaceted issue influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors. 

With studies indicating that one in five women will experience a mental health disorder annually, the repercussions extend beyond individual struggles, negatively affecting families, communities, and economies at large. 

The historical context reveals a legacy of mistreatment and cultural stigma surrounding women's mental health, which continues to hinder access to care and support. 

By recognizing the interconnectedness of the mental health crisis with other systemic issues, such as socio-economic disparities and gender inequality.

Worldwide, women are responsible for more than three-quarters of the unpaid labor, the equivalent of 11 billion hours a day. Imagine what would happen to the world economy if all of the women were too depressed or burned out.

Program Development
The program will decrease mid-career women’s stress and burnout, increase participants' well-being, and improve employee retention and job satisfaction.

• 11 weekly module classes

• Coaching guidance

• Daily mini-mindset practices

• Peer connection and support 

• Tracking progress throughout the program

Improve employee retention by offering mental wellness programs for women.

• Participants reduce stress and burnout by learning new mental fitness tools.

• Participants will practice daily mental fitness habits to improve their well-being.

• Participants will be able to understand the root cause of stress and burnout.

Most participants will experience improved well-being and decreased anxiety, stress, and burnout. 

Sustainability Plan
The Resilience Mental Fitness Program is designed to be sustainable, with diversified revenue streams, a scalable tech platform, and community engagement strategies. With a commitment to continuous improvement and social impact, this program has the potential to become a lasting resource for women’s mental well-being.

Estimated Development Cost
The overall costs include curriculum design, app creation, professional services, and pilot testing. The estimates reflect current trends in the wellness and digital health startup sectors. Low Estimate: $59,500 > High Estimate: $106,500

Decision
Though the initial investment is substantial, the program’s scalability, mainly through an app, makes it a strong candidate for sustainable growth. With the right partnerships and funding, resilience can deliver lasting impact and real value.

Utilizing the Health Education Model to assess the need, efficacy, and feasibility of developing a new mental fitness program to support professional mid-career women to reduce stress and burnout, and increase work-life balance and overall well-being. 

The final project will be presented in an online report highlighting research, the proposed program framework and design, needs assessment, delivery strategies, a sustainability plan, evaluation of effectiveness, a funding proposal, facilitation guidelines, an executive summary, and an implementation plan. 

The aim is to determine whether this program is feasible and, if so, how to create and implement a plan to complete it in the future. If it does not seem feasible, the plan will serve as a framework for testing future program development.

Research & Development

• Understanding Behavior and Habit Formation

• Behavior Change & Program Building Theories

• Program Needs Assessment - Demographics, research, surveys, and data collection

• Proof of Concept Research

• Program Assessment & Sustainability Plan

• Organization & Legalities

• Facilitator Guidelines

• Executive Summary

• Determine feasibility and next steps

Presentation 

Results from the research and development project will be presented in a slide presentation. The following items will be included in the final presentation.

• Program Description

• Goals, Objectives, and Logic Model

• Program roadmap and Habit Infographic

• Facilitation guidelines

• Conclusion on the efficacy and feasibility of producing the program

• Resources 

• Annotated Bibliography

Outcome

If it is determined that the program should be created, I will test the beta program with a group of volunteers, which will inform changes for a final product.

The Resilient Woman program aims to provide an accessible, affordable, and women-centered mental wellness solution, addressing the systemic challenges contributing to the mental health crisis.

• Tools that focus on Mind/Body/Soul improvements through learning a mental fitness program.

• The impact will be improved overall wellbeing, less burnout, more positive thinking, and resilience to handle life's challenges.

Purpose

The project aims to create a feminine and heartfelt mental fitness offering as an alternative to other programs. The focus is on culturally appropriate methods and a women-centered context that will allow women to feel safe exploring ways to improve their mental wellness. 

The program will take an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating components of psychology, sociology, neuroscience, coaching, art, fitness, and health education. 

Scope

Using a downstream approach to health education, which aims to address the mental health crisis for women with an educational and experiential program. The program will be offered through partnerships with Organizations as an employee mental well-being program.

Examining the historical context of women and mental health reveals a legacy of mistreatment and cultural stigma surrounding women's mental health, which continues to hinder access to care and support to this day. Safety will be a key consideration for a program made for women. 

Addressing the stigma around mental health will be necessary to reach more people. Coaching has less stigma than therapy and may be more approachable for people. 

A program designed specifically for women can focus on their needs. This program will incorporate research and techniques from psychology, sociology, health education, mental fitness, coaching, and wellness. 

By recognizing the interconnectedness of the mental health crisis with other systemic issues such as socioeconomic disparities, racism, and gender inequality, this program aims to foster awareness and drive meaningful change in the pursuit of mental wellness for women. 

Program Development

Use a custom-built app to create a robust program. The program will be organized into modules, videos, worksheets, and daily practices. 

Mental Fitness (MF) to improve wellness

• 11 weekly classes

• (90 minutes)

• Use of an App to follow the program

• Daily MF practice

• Meditations

• Peer connection

• Assessments

• Practical applications to reduce stress and improve work/life balance.

To increase the mental well-being of women. 

Program Objectives

The program will reduce mid-career women’s stress and burnout, increase participants' well-being, and improve employee retention and job satisfaction.

• 11 weekly module classes

• Coaching guidance

• Daily mini-mindset practices

• Peer connection and support 

• Tracking progress throughout the program

Participants will experience improved overall well-being and decreased stress and burnout.

• Improve employee retention by offering mental wellness programs for women.

• Participants reduce stress and burnout by learning new mental fitness tools.

• Participants will practice daily mental fitness habits to improve their mental well-being.

• Participants will be able to understand the root cause of stress and burnout.

Resilience Mental Fitness Program

• Number of weeks: 11 Weeks with one weekly group session for 90 minutes.

• Location: Zoom or in person, depending on the partner organization's requirements.

• Explanation for the program: Based on previous programs I’ve run over the past 5 years, it takes at least 6 weeks to learn, practice,
  and integrate the new habits and behaviors. 

• The extra time is based on feedback from past clients, who have indicated that they need more time to maintain their mindset shifts.