About Us
Mission and Vision
Advocates of Self-Health Awareness (ASHA)
MISSION
All Care Plus is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to enhance Self-Care through deeper mental health awareness and observed decision-making processes, thereby contributing to a better quality of life. By fostering understanding of these components, we aim to support marginalized populations, including youth, seniors, the hungry, homeless, and imprisoned, in envisioning and achieving a happier and more fulfilling way of life.
VISION
All Care Plus envisions a world where every individual will have access to tech tools and instantly available resources to safely navigate their emotions, thoughts, and mindset effectively, empowering them to make informed decisions and lead high-quality, fulfilling lives. By fostering deep comprehension of mental health and decision-making processes, we strive to uplift marginalized communities, including youth, seniors, the hungry, homeless, and the imprisoned, enabling them to envision and achieve greater happiness, resilience, and well-being.
Process
This is our realistic process to achieve this vision:
- Community Workshops and Webinars: Educate:
Host regular workshops and webinars open to the public, focusing on topics such as emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and decision-making skills. Utilize free online platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet to conduct these sessions. Invite mental health professionals, peer mentors, and individuals with lived experience to facilitate discussions and share practical tips and strategies. - Online Resources and Self-Help Tools: Develop and curate a collection of free online resources, such as articles, videos, podcasts, and self-help guides, aimed at promoting mental health awareness and improving decision-making abilities. Create a user-friendly website or app where individuals can access these resources anytime, anywhere.
- Peer Support Networks: Establish peer support networks within marginalized communities, leveraging existing social groups, community centers, or online forums. Encourage peer-to-peer interactions, where individuals can share their experiences, provide mutual support, and exchange coping strategies for managing emotions and making positive choices.
- Social Media Engagement: Harness the power of social media platforms to disseminate educational content, inspirational stories, and practical tips related to mental health and decision-making. Regularly post engaging and informative content, encourage user participation through comments and discussions, and foster a sense of community among followers.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: Forge partnerships with local organizations, schools, libraries, and businesses to expand outreach and access to mental health resources. Collaborate on joint initiatives, such as hosting mental health awareness events, distributing informational materials, or offering free counseling sessions or workshops.
- Volunteer-Led Initiatives: Recruit and train volunteers from within the community to lead grassroots initiatives aimed at promoting mental wellness and informed decision-making. Empower volunteers to organize support groups, lead mindfulness sessions, facilitate peer mentorship programs, or conduct outreach efforts within their neighborhoods.
- Utilize Open-Source Tools and Platforms: Take advantage of open-source software and platforms to develop digital tools and resources for promoting mental health and well-being. Leverage free resources such as open-access databases, programming libraries, and collaboration platforms to build cost-effective solutions, such as mood tracking apps, decision-making frameworks, or virtual support communities.
- Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms: Implement mechanisms for collecting feedback and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and resources. Utilize free survey tools or conduct focus groups to gather input from participants, measure outcomes, and identify areas for improvement. Use this feedback to iteratively refine and enhance programs and services.
- By leveraging these inexpensive or freely available concepts, All Care Plus can effectively work towards its vision of empowering individuals to enhance their mental health and decision-making processes, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life for marginalized populations.
- Educate: Whats is Self-Care Awareness
- Assess: Determine a baseline status
- Transition: Set a beginning and end point
- Support: Provide ongoing peer support
History
History of All Care Plus
All Care Plus was founded in Palo Alto, California in 2002 by Ramesh Azariah and his father Francis Azariah. They observed the value of helping people who provided care, a wide and mixed community of all backgrounds working as nannies, and adult care providers to take better care of themselves. The idea sprang from the First Aid CPR training already being offered. The training person in CPR is a rescuer. A resuer by definition is a person who knows how to care for themselves first and foremost before caring for others. This concept seemed to be lacking and still falls short in many people’s lives based on extensive studies performed by Ramesh Azariah. caregivers along the San Francisco, Peninsula in basic care services, first aid CPR.
THE GOAL
"Empower individuals with practical skills and resources to proactively manage their mental health and well-being, thereby reducing the incidence of crisis situations and improving overall resilience and quality of life."
This goal aligns with the broader vision of fostering understanding of mental health and decision-making processes to support marginalized populations. It emphasizes the importance of equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate challenges, make informed choices, and maintain optimal mental wellness, ultimately leading to a safer and more fulfilling life.
THE SHIFT
One main reason All Care Plus shifted a focus from helping care providers to addressing the need for and providing support towards learning how to care for oneself was obvious.
Caregivers often devote significant time, energy, and emotional labor to supporting others, whether it be family members, friends, or clients. However, this constant focus on caring for others can sometimes lead to neglecting one's own needs and well-being. Over time, this neglect can result in burnout, compassion fatigue, and diminished mental and physical health for caregivers.
Recognizing this challenge, there may be a growing awareness within the organization or community that supporting caregivers effectively requires prioritizing their own self-care and well-being. By shifting the focus to learning how to care for oneself, the organization can empower caregivers with the necessary tools, resources, and strategies to prioritize their own health and wellness.
Moreover, promoting self-care among caregivers can ultimately lead to better outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients. When caregivers prioritize their own well-being, they are better equipped to provide high-quality care, maintain a positive attitude, and sustain their caregiving role over the long term. Additionally, by modeling healthy self-care practices, caregivers can inspire those they care for to prioritize their own self-care as well, creating a culture of wellness within families, communities, or care settings.
Why the shift? Shifting the focus from solely supporting caregivers to also addressing the need for and support in learning how to care for oneself reflects a recognition of the interconnectedness between caregiver well-being and the quality of care provided, ultimately benefiting both caregivers and care recipients alike.
Whats ahead?
In the future, self-care education and support will be seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of community members, facilitated by AI tools that empower peers to provide holistic support anytime, anywhere.
263
Revenue in 2022 (thousand)
56
Participating Colleagues
32197
Number Supported
270
Year of experience
Sheena Azariah