Grant Researcher & Application Assistant (LeanOnMe)

LeanOnMe

Mental Health for youth empowered by AI.

LeanOnMe addresses pressing social and environmental challenges by tackling the growing mental health crisis among Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs), particularly those aged 16-25. In today’s increasingly complex world, AYAs face numerous mental health challenges that impact their well-being, education, and social integration. Some of the critical issues we address include:

Mental Health Crisis in AYAs: The mental health of young people is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Globally, 1 in 5 adolescents suffers from a mental health condition, with conditions like anxiety and depression on the rise. The impact of this crisis is profound—by 2030, mental health costs are expected to reach $6 trillion, with a significant portion of this burden falling on young people. The increasing prevalence of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, creates a significant social challenge, as many AYAs are left without adequate resources or support​​. Key Drivers of Mental Health Deterioration: Digital media consumption, academic and social pressure, economic uncertainty, and social isolation are some of the key factors contributing to this crisis. AYAs are particularly vulnerable to the pressures created by social media, the increasing competitiveness of the academic environment, and societal issues like climate change, trust deficits, and inequality. As a result, AYAs often experience heightened anxiety, depression, and stress​​. Barriers to Mental Health Support: Despite the growing need, the current mental health support system is inadequate to meet the demands of AYAs. Many young people face barriers such as: Lack of availability of professional support High costs of therapy Inaccessibility of real-time mental health assistance Stigma associated with seeking help These barriers leave many AYAs dealing with their mental health issues in isolation, leading to long-term negative impacts on their education, career prospects, and quality of life​​. Environmental and Societal Challenges: Beyond individual mental health concerns, broader societal issues, such as climate change, economic instability, and distrust in institutions, exacerbate the mental health challenges faced by AYAs. These factors create a sense of uncertainty and hopelessness among young people, further driving the need for accessible, reliable mental health support​​.

The Need for Instant, Affordable, and Real-Time Support: AYAs require an immediate response to their mental health needs, but professional help is often unavailable, unaffordable, or inaccessible. LeanOnMe fills this gap by offering a 24/7 AI-enabled mental health solution, delivering instant, customized support through a familiar platform like WhatsApp. This not only ensures accessibility but also reduces the stigma associated with seeking mental health support. LeanOnMe’s AI bot provides real-time conversations, offering emotional support, stress management techniques, and career advice specifically tailored to the challenges faced by AYAs, particularly during stressful times like exams​​. In summary, LeanOnMe’s solution addresses the urgent social and environmental challenges of the growing mental health pandemic among AYAs by providing accessible, affordable, and stigma-free support. This bridges the gap between the challenges they face and professional help, helping young people manage stress and build resilience through real-time AI-enabled support.

LeanOnMe offers a 24/7 AI-driven mental health support platform, tailored specifically for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) aged 16-25. Our solution directly addresses the gaps in mental health care by providing instant, affordable, and accessible mental health support through a conversational AI bot on platforms like WhatsApp, where AYAs are most comfortable. 

Grant Researcher & Application Assistant

Role Description

Role Overview: Help us find and apply for grants that support mental health initiatives or startups like ours. You'll assist in researching grant opportunities, preparing simple application documents, and working with our team to submit proposals.

Key Responsibilities:

Research potential grants and funding opportunities for mental health projects. Draft and organize basic application materials. Keep track of deadlines and application statuses.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week remotely

Duration of Volunteer Role

One-off project