Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness
Since the onset of the pandemic, both physical and mental health have become a top priority for people across the world. From hugging loved ones to not seeing them for months straight, going for lunch with friends to 6-feet distant meals outside, we had to adjust our normal routine to provide a safe environment. Cases of mental illnesses surged, and the number of people seeking help did as well.
Feelings of uncertainty about the future and loneliness that came with isolation caused people to face added stress and feeling overwhelmed for all ages. Many adults went from supporting family at a 9 to 5 job to browsing job sites after being laid off. Elementary school children in their prime years of development went from daily drop-offs to “zoom” school in their kitchen, and college students went from sitting in lecture halls to 8-am classes under their covers. The time taken away from our daily routine created time for many individuals to reflect on their lives, do what they love and help others who are struggling. Many fashion retailers and brands took charitable steps such as raising money for medical professions’ resources to production centers for sanitizing products like Chanel making masks and gowns, to LVMH producing hand sanitizer.
COVID-19 created a new appreciation for the importance of our connection with others, and even ourselves. We’ve acknowledged that in order to thrive, it is important to check in with our well-being and know we are not alone. During these hard times, social media platforms served as a space to connect individuals behind the screen. These platforms typically share the “perfect” form of celebrities and influencers, whether it be showing off a trip to the hottest vacation spot or sharing the newest products shipped to their door to sponsor. But many public figures took the time and matters into their own hands to reinforce that they are human and affected by mental illness, along with 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. Fashion brands used their collections to spark meaningful conversation through the sleeve of an article of clothing. Small words with little meaning, evolved to meaningful words people can relate to allowing many people to take holistic approaches to mental health.
Here are 5 Trending Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness You Simply Can’t Miss…
Mayfair Group
In 2017, CEO Sam Abrahart started The Mayfair Group knowing she could do things differently than other brands and could build an inclusive space focused on empowerment. From shorts and sweats, to tees and tanks, The Mayfair Group uses the importance of being kind through spreading positivity and designing innovative content. Whether it be the comfortable 100% cotton sweatpants reading “We don’t know where exactly our future will take us, but we’re on our way,” to the ivory “Just be f****** kind” sweatshorts, the brand expresses their values of lifting yourself up and others when you need it most. The e-commerce and creative services company thrives on making people feel confident and comfortable in one’s own skin and being authentic with oneself.
Madhappy
Launched in 2017, by Peiman Raf, Noah Raf, Mason Spector, and Joshua Sitt, Madhappy opens up conversations about mental health through high-quality loungewear collections. The brand not only includes impactful collections, but mental health resources and products focusing on creating optimism. The brand’s philanthropic mission not only creates dialogue on mental health, but serves as a hotline for their community. The LA-based brand includes a mix of colorful basics from hoodies to crewnecks, and go-to tees and hats. The unique hood-stitch provides a recognizable look. The brand’s name derived from two words coming together to create a life-like existence and acknowledging that everything isn't perfect because it shouldn't be. The brand embraces the idea that in life the lows make the highs that much more pronounced.
Urban Sophistication
Around just over 5 years ago, Tel Aviv-based siblings Neta and Elad Yam, the brand set out to take note of the digital trends through various products. During the midst of the pandemic, their face mask reading “Contents: fresh air” and the notorious transparent phone case boasting “Social Media seriously harms your mental health,” landed its popularity through various celebrities publicizing the product. Before the case claimed fame, Urban Sophistication focused on clothing items such as oversized hoodies reading “Don’t Hide”, and sweatpants featuring simple, yet creative designs.
The Local Love Club
Launched in April 2021, Local Love Club was established with the mission all about making kindness cool. Through high-quality products with bold designs the handcrafted LA-based brand emphasizes the importance of compassion, kindness, and positivity. Maeve Reilley, stylist of clients Hailey Bieber and Megan Fox, created the brand during the pandemic with its first drop of comfortable sets designed in neutral, and bright neon colors. The collections featured slogans sparking positivity like “thank you for being kind” and “everyone’s invited.” The Local Love Club stresses the need for empathy and vulnerability in order to maintain real connections with one another. A portion of proceeds from the Local Love Club purchases will go towards the Kind Campaign, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the negative effects of bullying.
Social Goods
Social Goods was created with the mission of “Look good. Do good. Changed the world.” Sisters Lisa and Kate co-founded Social Goods in the fall of 2018 to allow consumers to shop for the causes they care about and wear it on their sleeve. The online store creates statement-making goods to make people feel proud and start conversation about the organizations and nonprofits that matter most to them from women’s rights and activism to mental health. The products focusing on mental health include gradient tee’s reading “I Believe in You” to striped ones designed “Speak Up.”
By Jessie Garten, University of Maryland ‘22