Top five businesses that promote positive mental health

Hello everyone! 

This week on Instagram I’ve been talking about Mental Health Awareness Week. I asked you all to send me businesses that promote positive mental health in some way. Thanks to those of you who sent me suggestions!

I’ve compiled my top five here for you. Amazingly enough, they are all located in the GTA! So you can feel good about supporting local, as well!

Kind Karma Co is a jewelry company out of Toronto that employs at risk and transitioning youth. What I love about this company is how much the owner integrates positive mental health into the workplace. The artisans are free to come as they are and talk about anything with her. A percentage of sales also go to helping the youth achieve their individual goals! 

From their website, “Kind Karma spreads goodness through our commitment to ethical fashion that gives back and creates opportunity. By employing at-risk and homeless youth to make beautiful, custom handcrafted jewelry, all Kind Karma pieces have a positive impact not only in our community but throughout the world of fashion. Kind Karma was born on the principle that if we spread good, then good will not only come back to us but will continue to spread.”

Mettamade is a mother-daughter ethical clothing brand from right here in Hamilton. They use eco-friendly fabrics to create their timeless pieces. I love that they promote both body positivity and size inclusivity. Mettamade also has a blog featuring different individuals who are actively engaged in the body peace space. 

From their website, “METTAMADE, is a mother-daughter run slow-fashion clothing line based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Our clothing is made in small batches + made-to-order, locally and ethically, using high-quality eco-friendly fabrics. Metta (Pali, Thai), also known as Maitri (Sanskrit), or loving-kindness (English) means loving-kindness, benevolence, friendliness, and compassion and good will towards others and self.” 

Models and Monsters

I recently discovered Models and Monsters from the Madefair Market. They are a mental health discussion and support hub as well as both a blog and store. You have to go check out their collection of key chains, rings, tshirts, bracelets etc. with messages such as “keep glowing” and “healing.”

From their website, “There was no safe space around me where ‘depression’ wasn’t a dirty word. Nobody was openly admitting that they were also a mess. I needed to create that space. I strive to be an open book full of lessons learned, stories of stumbling and even one page of what I hope will be a helping hand in your story.”

I’ve been following this account on Instagram for awhile and love everything they stand for. They are an apparel project with a purpose. Their items get a conversation going and include saying such as “coffee, dogs, and mental health.” They aren’t just a store, but also a place for people to connect, meet, network and share their stories. 

From their website, “Own your Stigma was created to open up the conversation around mental illness, and help remove all shame, negativity, and guilt that our society has attached to it. Our goal is to encourage us all to own and embrace our struggles and be okay with opening up, even if it is to a complete stranger. It is important that we share our experiences and stories to heal ourselves and others.”

I recently discovered this business through an Urbanicity article! And this is another business I love everything about. Vagabond Saints is a tattoo shop, alternative spa, and mental health safe space. They are very active in the community including collecting donations, being trained in Suicide SafeTalks, hosting monthly support groups, the list goes on! They have just moved locations and are expanding into a retail shop and hopefully bar! 

From their website, “Our shop is proud to be a business promoting inclusivity. Award-winning, community-minded, and locally owned/operated. By being a local business, we make it a valid point to give back to our community. Vagabond Saints is nothing if not for our friends, family, and clientele. It's because of these people that we work hard to contribute any way we can towards a better life for everyone who lives here.” 

Know of any businesses I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks and take good care,