The Wellbeing 5 Project
Aysha Mahmood
Channel Kindness Editor
The Mental Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with mental wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Aysha Mahmood
Aysha is a Program Associate & Editor for ‘Born This Way Foundation.” She is the Editor for Born This Way Foundation’s Channel Kindness program.
Born This Way Foundation is a nonprofit formed by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, that supports the mental health of young people and works with them to create a braver, kinder world. Channel Kindness is Born This Way Foundation’s youth storytelling platform, which highlights the kind, brave, and resilient ways that individuals, communities, and nonprofits are making a difference in the world.
Last September, the nonprofit published CHANNEL KINDNESS, a collection of fifty-one stories of kindness, bravery, and resilience from young people all across the country. Aysha is a proud mental health advocate + has a background in journalism, politics, and editing.
Find out more about Aysha here
The Mental Wellbeing 5 with Aysha Mahmood
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with mental wellbeing?
Aysha: “Take it day by day” is a phrase I always go back to. On days that feel too overwhelming for me, I like to break it down and say to take it hour by hour. If that’s too much, I tell myself to take it minute by minute, and on really hard days, I really do take it second by second. As someone who experiences anxiety and depression, I like this phrase because it helps me focus on the now, and knowing I have survived this one second, minute, hour, or day reminds me that I am OK, I can keep going, and I will continue to survive the next second, minute, hour, or day, too.
2. What is your top piece of advice for mental wellbeing?
Aysha: You’re never too busy to eat something, take a 5-minute breath, or drink some water. I think a lot of us get caught up in our heavy schedules or our massive workload that we forget to take the time to take care of ourselves. But out of all the things that should hold our attention in the world, you, your mind, and your body are the most important. Give yourself permission to focus on your wants and needs, even on your busiest of days.
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Aysha: I’d love for mental health treatments to be much more accessible than they are right now. So many treatments aren’t a reality for people because of the economic, systemic, or physical barriers placed upon them. For example, therapy is expensive, even with insurance – so much so that it has become a luxury – and this cost often prevents people from reaching out for help. Mental health help should never be a privilege, it should be provided to anyone who needs it. I want treatments to change from being a “luxury item” to being something that’s available and affordable for everyone. Only then can we connect people to getting the help they need.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for wellbeing would you recommend?
Aysha: I would highly recommend Find Your Anchor, which is a grassroots suicide-prevention organization that sends out boxes of mental health resources, encouraging notes, and support tools for free. Born This Way Foundation recently partnered with Find Your Anchor to create #PleaseStayPledge, an interactive and easily accessible mental health resource that also encourages people to choose anchors – things or people something you can hold onto for another day or minute – in their life.
On the book end, I recently read “The Art of Showing Up,” by Rachel Miller, and what I loved about this book is that it offered some gentle suggestions about how you put yourself first and create boundaries, while still simultaneously being there for loved ones. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention “Channel Kindness,” which was written by Lady Gaga and some of Born This Way Foundation’s youth Channel Kindness reporters. This anthropology holds 51 kind, brave, and resilient stories that lifted my spirits and remind me that it’s OK to not be OK. The book is also filled with a variety of mental health resources and lifelines that I’ve personally used in my own life.
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Aysha: Thinking about my family always brings a smile to my face. My mom sends me a text every single morning with an encouraging quote or a reminder about how much she loves me. Any time I’m having a hard day, I look at her texts, and I’m reminded that I’m very much cared for and loved.
It’s also important to note that Krispy Kreme donuts are my absolute favorite treat and can also always make me smile!
Bonus Question! Is there anything else pertinent you would like to add to the conversation?
Aysha: With suicide rates increasing during the pandemic, I want everyone to know they’re not alone in their struggles. Your voice and your life is extremely important – there’s always going to be someone who wants to help, who wants to listen, and who wants to support you. It can be easy to get down on yourself or feel overwhelmed during times of high-stress, but I want to encourage you to be kind to yourself, to give yourself the same grace and patience you give to others, and to know that you are very much needed in this world.
I also want folks to know that whatever you’re feeling – it’s completely valid, and know it’s OK to just have a day with what you’re feeling. There’s been many days where I wouldn’t want to do anything but rest, relax, or sleep, and at the end of the day, I would feel super guilty about it because, well, there’s just so much to do and so much I want to accomplish. So my brain was constantly telling me, “You didn’t accomplish anything today.” But I’ve learned that’s not the case at all. By resting and just being, I took care of yourself. I survived another day. And so having “a day” is actually something to be proud of. it’s OK to take the day to relax, sleep, and rest our minds, bodies, and souls. We all deserve to just have a day.
Further Exploration - Aysha Mahmood
Book: Channel Kindness
The Channel Kindness book containing a collection of fifty-one stories of kindness, bravery, and resilience from young people all over the world collected by Born This Way Foundation and introduced by Lady Gaga.
Nonprofit: Born This Way Foundation
Born This Way Foundation's website containing information on their mission, the work they do supporting young people's mental health, how to get help and how to donate.
Website: Channel Kindness
The Channel Kindness website is a digital platform created by Born This Way Foundation. It is a safe space for young people to tell their stories of kindness, resilience, and community. By highlighting the people and organizations that are doing good in their communities, Channel Kindness’ audience is inspired to create a kinder and braver world, one story at a time.
Social Media - Follow Aysha & The Born This Way Foundation Below
More Mental Wellbeing 5 Interviews Below
More Mental Wellbeing 5 Interviews
With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with mental wellbeing