Photo: La Jewel, of Health E Livin
Why free, easy mental health check-ins are more essential than ever
It was 2020, everything changed. Neighborhoods shifted to screens, good days became rare, and it felt like everyone connected online was also quietly struggling. Mental health needed help just as much as ever, but for many, the door to care stayed firmly locked.
That’s why La Jewel created Health E Livin, a free, simple mental health tool accessible to anyone over the age of 12. As a Black woman in the U.S., she knows firsthand how mental health services can be expensive, complicated, or even made to feel out of reach. Her goal? A digital space where anyone, no matter their income or background, could pause, check in, and, if they chose, reach for help.
1. MENTAL HEALTH GAPS ARE REAL AND WIDENING
- Global treatment gap: According to WHO, 35–50% of people in high-income countries needing mental health care don’t get it; in low- and middle-income countries, it soars to 76–85%
- Youth at risk: Nearly 75% of mental illnesses start before age 24. But most young people don’t get help for up to 11 years .
This is a silent crisis few know how to interrupt. With Health E Livin, we strive to lower the barriers with just immediate access all from the app.
2. SCREENING IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS, IT’S A SELF-LED CHECK-IN
A screening does not diagnose anything. It is a compassionate moment of curiosity, “How am I doing?”
Research shows proactive screenings are linked to early intervention and better mental health outcomes. Several Fortune 500 companies even reported increased use of mental health services after deploying voluntary screenings.
What Health E Livin offers is similar:
- 5–7 minutes, to answer simple questions about how you’ve been feeling lately, mood, energy, sleep focus etc.
- No shame, no judgment
- Personalized feedback, with the option to connect to care
It’s like building a bridge from confusion to clarity, and it costs nothing.
3. REMOVING SYSTEMATIC BARRIERS
Mental health stigma and cost disproportionately impact BIPOC and underserved communities Many people fear judgment or lack access to culturally sensitive providers.
Health E Livin is being designed in English and Spanish, with more languages in mind. It works from any smartphone or computer, no high-end tech required. It’s a tool aimed to restore access, not create another line of exclusion.At a recent community outreach event, someone shared how they used the app to support a loved one who was struggling but didn’t know where to start. A few taps, a zip code, and they had options. That moment reminded us why this work matters and a strong reminder from us to you that..
Healing should never be tied to a price tag. It should start with you, wherever you are.
To learn more about Health E Livin services, visit https://www.healthelivin.org/
