F ashion and mental health: two terms you would not consider linked. For a long time, that’s what I thought too. I would never expect something as simple as my love for fashion to help me cope with the chemical imbalance in my brain, but it turns out fashion holds an overwhelming amount of power over our emotions. For me, that power resides in an uncomplicated, confidence-boosting, candy-colored sweatsuit from the brand Madhappy. Madhappy launched in 2017 with the intention of creating a de-stigmatized conversation around mental health. From high-quality streetwear collections to mental health resources, this brand creates a community centered around sparking optimism. Madhappy is known for their colorful, relaxed loungewear that is equal parts comfortable and chic. In 2020, Madhappy responded to the pain of the pandemic by expanding their mental health efforts. They created a formal mental health resource and blog titled “The Local Optimist.” The blog consists of stories, interviews, toolkits and playlists that offer a sense of inspiration and hope to the Madhappy community. Meadowlark Monaghan, Head of Mental Health at Madhappy, is the mind behind cultivating the community of “The Local Optimist.”
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Vol. VIII
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