According to the World Health Organization, one in every eight people suffers from a mental disorder, but mental health is one of the most neglected areas of health globally. While there have been some improvements over the last few months, there is still a long way to go.
Society does not view mental disorders as actual illnesses, and it is hard to find affordable mental-health-friendly places where you can get help. One therapy session can cost around $100-$200, which is seldom affordable for the average person. This is one of the main reasons Konstantin Krayniy built ShareSpace. After noticing that his friends would often come to him for advice and knowing that other people, too, give advice to each other at times of hardships, he developed ShareSpace to foster an environment for open, non-judgemental conversations.
It is common for people to struggle to find a safe space to talk about their mental health. Often, the only affordable option is social media, which is far from healthy and is more adequately deemed toxic. You never know when people will turn on you, meaning you have to screen everything you post. Most individuals online also focus on making everything in their life seem near perfect, further suppressing what may really be going on in their lives or taking their misplaced emotions out on others. Konstantin wanted a platform where everyone could be themselves and where they didn’t have to pretend to have it all figured out.
ShareSpace is a safe peer-to-peer mental health and well-being chat app. It has confidentiality features where you can customize your digital avatar without revealing your real identity. It is a safe learning and healing space where you can share your story with the community, get advice, or give it.
Konstantin Krayniv has partnered with business experts, nutritionists, life coaches, and mental health professionals who discuss life in its entirety. Together they share information about mental health care and well-being, why it is important, and how you can improve your mental health. Konstantin believes this will help end the stigma. As ShareSpace does not offer services from licensed professionals, it is not a complete substitute for professional help; rather, it is a more accessible resource for individuals who cannot or do not want to receive professional help.
Konstantin explains that treating people differently just because they have depression or anxiety only worsens the situation and makes it harder for others struggling with the same to talk about it. ShareSpace is destigmatizing mental health by giving people access to information and connecting them to affordable professional help. In an effort to reach and help the most people possible, the app is free of charge entirely.
ShareSpace helps you face your emotional challenges and upgrade your life by giving you the space to share your experiences with others who have gone through similar situations without fear of being judged. ShareSpace has different communities, including overthinking, stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, emotional burnout, insecurity, and more, where you can share your story depending on the issue you are dealing with. They also have groups inside the communities.
Some ShareSpace groups are led by accredited mental health professionals, while others are created by users. This ensures everyone has a voice. You might not know much about a specific topic but excel in another. Konstantin and the team hope to create a space where people can learn from each other by giving everyone a chance to share their stories. ShareSpace is available on Google and Apple Store.
