On Her Mind: Singer and songwriter creates mental health platform

TULSA, Okla. — Singer and songwriter, Jewel, is working to make mental health care more accessible.

Last week FOX23 showed you Jewel's immersive art experience, the portal, at Crystal Bridges Museum of Art in Bentonville.

The singer and songwriter is a skilled painter and sculptor and for more than 20 years, she's also worked in the mental health space through her Inspiring Children Foundation.

"It really proves the theory that we're never broken, we can heal," said Jewel.

The charity works to find systems that work for at-risk kids struggling with anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.

Jewel has a high school education. She didn't got to business school, but she is a successful entrepreneur. Jewel shared last week how she taught herself mental health tools, like mindfulness.

"I noticed everybody was in pain. Is happiness a learnable skill? I did know that happiness wasn't taught in my home," said Jewel.

Last year, Jewel partnered with Noah Robinson and became co-founder and chief strategy officer of Innerworld.

"If we make finding mental health intervention as easy as downloading an app and clicking a few buttons to make your avatar, we believe we'll be able to help millions of people," said Noah Robinson, founder and CEO of Innerworld.

Innerworld is an online world. There are peer-to-peer support groups and expert guides trained in cognitive behavioral immersion.

"We're putting tools in the hands of everybody and creating access for everybody that's affordable," Jewel said.

You use an anonymous avatar so there's no stigma. You can make connections with others if you're struggling.

Robinson says thousands of people are using it each month.

"I have people contacting me daily talking about how Innerworld has changed their lives and improved their lives and this is what's so incredible," he said. "These tools work. They're so accessible and we just need to get them out there."

There is a nationwide shortage of mental health professionals, so at least half of those with an illness are not getting treatment. The average wait time is 48 days. 60 percent of female high school students said they felt feelings of hopelessness or sadness and nearly a quarter make a suicide plan in 2021.

Jewel knows what it's like to struggle as a teenage girl.

"I moved out at 15," she said. "I left an abusive environment, I was very stubborn so I really stubbornly decided that happiness was for someone like me too."

Robinson says Innerworld was in beta testing for four years to make sure it's safe. It's been available to the public for over a year now.

"When I was 13, I realized that I was gay and became depressed and I escaped into the metaverse and I spent almost 10,000 hours there, but it also saved my life," said Robinson.

You can talk to a therapist in Innerworld for $30 a session.

"I think we've all realized mental health has become an issue for almost everybody. Getting through the day for people has gotten harder and harder so for me, it's about trying to find solutions that are practical and really help people," Jewel said.

Last year, the National Institute of Mental Health awarded Innerworld a $2 million grant to continue testing how effective CBI is on depression.

All Veterans and their families can access Innerworld for free, for life.

You can find more information on Innerworld by clicking here .