OUR FOUNDER'S STORY

Why was Ayati Mind Established?

Deeply affected by the unfortunate loss of a close friend to suicide, further bereavement and work-related stress, I set out searching for help after finding it difficult to cope with my mental health. This was made worse during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I struggled to find culturally competent therapists who could help me and it was overwhelming scrolling through directories.

I felt even more lost and helpless after being on the NHS waiting list for a shocking 6-months.

Driven by the commitment to break the mental health barriers facing men like myself and a desire to make a real difference in people's lives, I decided to embark on a mission to find a solution that could help people facing similar challenges. Through this hardship, AYATI MIND was born.

(Daniel Acheampong, Founder)

AYATI MIND was founded to connect people (mainly men from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds) with culturally competent therapists, counsellors and life coaches with the goal of:

Improving access to therapy for people of colour
Removing the stigma and fear around accessing mental health support
Creating a healthy community for sharing, learning and healing from mental health trauma and experiences.

Origination of AYATI Symbol

The Meaning of AYATI

AYA means "fern"

Aya is the symbol of endurance and resourcefulness from the Adinkra symbols (see below). The Adinkra symbols represent ancient traditional knowledge about life, philosophical ideas, and facets of the environment.

The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. "An individual who wears this symbol suggests that he has endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty." (Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary)

TI means "head"

From the Akan/Twi language in Ghana, West Africa Ti translates to 'head'

Hence, the literal translation of AYA-TI-MIND is Fern-Head-Mind.

The FERN Plant

The ferns are extremely diverse in habitat, form, and reproductive methods.

They have superpowers and can survive and thrive in toxic environments.

Groundwater and soil contaminated by Arsenic (which is very toxic) affect millions of people worldwide; causing skin lesions, cancer and other illnesses if it gets into drinking water and crops. However, the Chinese brake fern, Pteris vittata, naturally accumulates arsenic levels that would kill most other organisms—and somehow it continues to thrive.

Our Logo was designed as an homage to the founder's heritage with inspiration from Adinkra symbols.

OUR FOUNDER'S STORY

Why was Ayati Mind Established?

Fern Plants have 'superpowers' - they survive & thrive in toxic environments.

Origination of AYATI Symbol

The Meaning of AYATI

AYA means "fern"

TI means "head"

The Adinkra symbols are one of the most well-liked aspects of African culture. Symbols are a way to express ideas, feelings, or other concepts visually. Although there are many stories on the origin of Adinkra symbols, their significance and meaning in the culture are not debated.

AYATI MIND IS A CERTIFIED SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

OUR FOUNDER'S STORY

Why was Ayati Mind Established?

Fern Plants have 'superpowers' - they survive & thrive in toxic environments.

Origination of AYATI Symbol

The Meaning of AYATI

AYA means "fern"

TI means "head"

The Adinkra symbols are one of the most well-liked aspects of African culture. Symbols are a way to express ideas, feelings, or other concepts visually. Although there are many stories on the origin of Adinkra symbols, their significance and meaning in the culture are not debated.

AYATI MIND IS A CERTIFIED SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

This website uses cookies.