Next up in our Small Business Inspirational Series is community member Mikel Stull, Executive Director and Founder of Unmasked Culture Foundation, non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging a culture of vulnerability, authenticity and strong mental health for all. Mikel shares how his organization encountered socio-economic challenges in providing access to mental health care to all who may need it.
"One significant challenge we overcame with our business was navigating the surge in anti-Asian sentiment while addressing rising mental health issues. As an Asian individual adopted at a young age, my personal history is marked by unique obstacles that have profoundly shaped our journey. Growing up in a historically underrepresented community, I often felt the weight of being different and struggled to find my place. These early experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a desire to help others who might feel marginalized or misunderstood.
When anti-Asian hate crimes began to rise, our mission at the Unmasked Culture Foundation became even more urgent and significant. The societal pressures added new layers of complexity to our work, influencing our approach and fortifying our resolve to make a difference. We had to navigate not only personal biases but also broader societal turmoil. This dual challenge pushed us to be more resilient and innovative in our strategies to promote mental health awareness.
Our journey began from a place of personal pain and loss—my own struggles with mental health and the heart-wrenching experience of losing someone close to me to these challenges. These experiences were the catalyst for our passion project, which has grown into a full-fledged non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for mental health.
Through the Unmasked Culture Foundation, we aim to break down barriers to good mental and physical health. We believe that many of today’s issues stem from a lack of mental health awareness, resources, and prevention. Our mission is to offer opportunities for social improvement and guide individuals towards a more balanced lifestyle, addressing their mental, social, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Our work is deeply influenced by our backgrounds and the communities we come from. Growing up in the church, we were taught to focus on specific aspects of life without understanding the interconnectedness of mind and body. This realization highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to health. We strive to create inclusive, empathetic programs that address the diverse needs of our community, particularly focusing on youth and teens to foster healthier future generations.
One of the critical challenges we faced was addressing the socioeconomic barriers that prevent people from accessing mental health care. We are dedicated to finding solutions to these challenges, ensuring that our programs are accessible and supportive for all.
These societal challenges have compelled us to be more resilient and innovative. We’ve learned to navigate not only our personal biases but also the broader societal turmoil. This dual challenge has driven us to think creatively and develop new strategies to promote mental health awareness.
Despite the difficulties, our commitment to changing the world through mental health advocacy remains unwavering. We are inspired by the resilience of our community and are dedicated to making a meaningful impact, one step at a time.
Looking ahead, we envision a future where mental health is openly discussed, supported, and treated with the importance it deserves. We aim to create a community center focused on helping people achieve a well-balanced lifestyle. This center will provide essential resources and opportunities for social improvement, guiding individuals towards better mental, social, physical, and spiritual health.
Our journey has taught us the power of community and the importance of resilience. With the support of others who share our vision, we believe we can make a significant difference. The road ahead may be challenging, but we are driven by the strength and resilience of our community, and we remain steadfast in our mission to promote mental health awareness and support for all."
-Mikel Stull
Thank you for sharing the journey of your organization and the roadblocks you face to cultivate a culture of openness, support and belonging.
🔗 Connect with Mikel on LinkedIn
👋 Learn more about Unmasked Culture Foundation
💃 Indiana locals - drop by a Night of Swing
🎙️ Listen to The Unmasked Podcast
Please share your thoughts, comments, questions, encouragements or congratulations with Mikel and the community in the comments below!