Headspace, a UK-based digital healthcare company, and Mattel, the toy producer, have partnered up to create innovative solutions for children’s mental health issues.
The collaboration aimed to provide accessible, relevant, and beneficial mental support and guidance for children. The result of this unique partnership was the creation of “Breathe with Barbie“, a Vlog featuring the famous doll to guide children through the meditation and mindfulness practice. Barbie has five different audio guides that can be played through a click on her necklace.
The product was aimed at addressing the growing number of children diagnosed with anxiety. According to a research conducted between 2007 and 2012, the number of children between the ages of 6 and 17 diagnosed with anxiety has increased by 20 percent over time. The partners agreed that it is important to address this issue at an early age to prevent more severe conditions in the future.
A meaningful partnership
Headspace and Mattel’s joint efforts demonstrate how diverse industries can come together to create solutions that empower individuals to take control of their mental well-being. As the ‘Breathe with Barbie‘ initiative gains traction and helps children develop essential coping skills, it becomes clear that such partnerships hold the potential to make a lasting impact on the future of mental health.
By creating ‘Breathe with Barbie‘, the partners unveiled an unexpected solution, a Barbie doll that promotes mental health and mindfulness. The doll also educated children about the importance of mental health in their daily lives, and the method has proven to be effective in lowering the threshold to meditate. The teaching videos for meditation are also available on YouTube for free, making it accessible to all children, irrespective of their backgrounds.
By making mental health accessible through toys, Headspace, and Mattel aimed to lower the barrier and empower society to be in charge of their health and well-being.
In a world where the always-on lifestyle and external stressors can take a toll on mental health, initiatives like ‘Breathe with Barbie‘ highlight the importance of introducing mindfulness practices at an early age. As the partnership unfolded, it served as an inspiring example of how collaboration and innovation can shape a healthier and more resilient future for generations to come.
Source: www.businessmodelsinc.com
