How might we empower mental health survivors with better post-crisis care?
The Challenge
Individuals discharged after a mental health crisis faced high relapse rates and unmet recovery needs. Traditional care models emphasized medication and stabilization but overlooked identity, motivation, and emotional healing — leaving patients vulnerable during a critical transition.
Deliverables
The work produced current- and future-state journey maps and tested prototypes of the Inspire-to-Care program, the Heal-to-Bloom Kit and the Empowerful Recovery Hub — all with a healing-focused brand identity that combines creativity with evidence-based recovery tools. Visual communications, illustrations, and pitch materials reinforced the message that recovery could be inspiring, not stigmatizing.
The Impact
The project earned endorsement from CMHA BC's CEO, secured a $10,000 grant from Press Start CoLab Innovation Accelerator and was featured in The League of Innovators Accelerator Batch 13 and the Humber River Health Foundation. More importantly, it demonstrated how branding as a healing practice can empower patients, reduce relapse risk, and reframe post-crisis care as a journey of dignity and resilience.
The Pitch
How might we empower mental health survivors with better post-crisis care?
The Challenge
Individuals discharged after a mental health crisis faced high relapse rates and unmet recovery needs. Traditional care models emphasized medication and stabilization but overlooked identity, motivation, and emotional healing — leaving patients vulnerable during a critical transition.
Deliverables
The work produced current- and future-state journey maps and tested prototypes of the Inspire-to-Care program, the Heal-to-Bloom Kit and the Empowerful Recovery Hub — all with a healing-focused brand identity that combines creativity with evidence-based recovery tools. Visual communications, illustrations, and pitch materials reinforced the message that recovery could be inspiring, not stigmatizing.
The Impact
The project earned endorsement from CMHA BC's CEO, secured a $10,000 grant from Press Start CoLab Innovation Accelerator and was featured in The League of Innovators Accelerator Batch 13 and the Humber River Health Foundation. More importantly, it demonstrated how branding as a healing practice can empower patients, reduce relapse risk, and reframe post-crisis care as a journey of dignity and resilience.
The Pitch
How might we empower mental health survivors with better post-crisis care?
The Challenge
Individuals discharged after a mental health crisis faced high relapse rates and unmet recovery needs. Traditional care models emphasized medication and stabilization but overlooked identity, motivation, and emotional healing — leaving patients vulnerable during a critical transition.
Deliverables
The work produced current- and future-state journey maps and tested prototypes of the Inspire-to-Care program, the Heal-to-Bloom Kit and the Empowerful Recovery Hub — all with a healing-focused brand identity that combines creativity with evidence-based recovery tools. Visual communications, illustrations, and pitch materials reinforced the message that recovery could be inspiring, not stigmatizing.
The Impact
The project earned endorsement from CMHA BC's CEO, secured a $10,000 grant from Press Start CoLab Innovation Accelerator and was featured in The League of Innovators Accelerator Batch 13 and the Humber River Health Foundation. More importantly, it demonstrated how branding as a healing practice can empower patients, reduce relapse risk, and reframe post-crisis care as a journey of dignity and resilience.
The Pitch
The Approach
I initiated Empowerful Care to reimagine post-crisis recovery through a human-centered, healing-focused design approach. I conducted primary research with patients, social workers, psychiatrists, and advocates, and facilitated co-design workshops to map current and desired recovery journeys. Alongside service prototyping, I developed a healing branding system — using illustrations, storytelling, and empathetic tone of voice to create touchpoints that felt approachable, dignified, and hopeful rather than clinical. The brand embraced an eclectic aesthetic to spark inspiration in moments when hope felt fragile.
