SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Naomi Osaka’s Emmy Award-nominated production company Hana Kuma and global workplace mental health platform Modern Health launched a special edition of the video series Can’t Wait To Hear From You.
“In the last few years, I’ve come to understand the power of vulnerability and asking for help, which is why I was so drawn to the idea of a video platform series featuring open conversations about mental health,” said Naomi Osaka, who joined Modern Health as the Chief Community Health Advocate in 2022. “Since speaking out about my own personal mental health struggles, I’ve heard from countless people telling me how powerful it was to embrace my vulnerabilities, and sharing my own journey has helped others feel less shame when discussing their own mental health. And as I enter this next chapter of life as a mom, with the new stresses and challenges that come with it, I’m determined to continue having these honest conversations and hope it will encourage and empower others to do the same.”
This special episode spotlights Naomi Osaka and Dr. Vivek Murthy, United States Surgeon General. As the Nation’s Doctor, Dr. Murthy has prioritized major initiatives to help Americans become healthier, including social connection, youth mental health and social media, and workplace well-being, all of which directly align with Hana Kuma and Modern Health’s missions.
“Naomi Osaka’s vulnerability, passion for helping others, and openness about her own mental health have inspired people around the world, including me,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “I believe we can become a more connected and less lonely society by opening up and talking to one another. I’m grateful that Naomi, Hana Kuma, and Modern Health are shining a light on the importance of mental health and social connection through these critical conversations.”
During this intimate conversation, the two candidly discuss their own mental health toolkits, the pressure to succeed, parenting experiences, and how loneliness is a growing epidemic. This vulnerable conversation, paired with scientific research, aims to destigmatize mental health while providing tangible next steps.
"No matter whether you're a young person, new parent, or at a later stage in your life— research shows that addressing loneliness is key to improving health all around, from lowering anxiety and depression to reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, or even premature death," says Dr. Neha Chaudhary, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Chief Medical Officer at Modern Health.
While this is the first branded content series for Hana Kuma, it serves as a continuation of the work Modern Health has been doing in partnership with the tennis champion. Earlier this year, the company launched a series of children’s meditations, developed and narrated by Osaka, covering important topics like how to conquer overwhelming feelings and apply skills like self-compassion. She was also featured in Modern Health’s first-ever Family Huddle series, designed to empower families and caregivers to discuss strategies for building positive mental health habits.
“We are thrilled to team up with the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Hana Kuma for this special edition of our new video series. Dr. Murthy is an important mental health advocate and has been pivotal in raising awareness of the vital role that workplaces play in promoting the health and well-being of our employees and communities,” says Alyson Watson, Founder and CEO of Modern Health. “Bringing together the nation’s doctor with one of the most outspoken mental health advocates, Naomi Osaka, allows us to share the healing power of speaking openly and vulnerably about mental health and firmly shines the spotlight on the action that needs to be taken to tackle this important issue.”
Each episode of Can't Wait to Hear From You will dive into the mind of a high-performing individual and discuss how they connect with their inner voice on a daily basis, milestone moments that helped them hone their voice, and the ways in which they utilize mental care tools to maintain their sense of self. Additional episodes are set to launch in early 2024 with top leaders across culture, business, and entrepreneurship and will be available to access on Hana Kuma’s YouTube channel.
View the special edition episode of Can’t Wait To Hear From You with Naomi Osaka and Dr. Vivek Murthy here.
About Modern Health
Modern Health is a comprehensive global mental health solution offering employees access to one-on-one, group, and self-serve digital resources for their emotional, professional, social, financial, and physical well-being needs - all within a single platform. To support members, Modern Health has access to a global network of more than 86,000 licensed therapists and certified coaches in over 200 countries and 80+ languages. Whether someone wants to proactively manage stress or treat depression, Modern Health guides people to the right care at the right time. Modern Health empowers companies to help all their employees be the best version of themselves and believes in meeting people wherever they are in their mental health journey.
Modern Health is backed by investors like Kleiner Perkins, Founders Fund, John Doerr, Y Combinator, and Battery Ventures and raised more than $170 million in less than two years, making Modern Health the fastest entirely female-founded company in the U.S. to reach Unicorn status.
About U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy
Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. As the nation’s top doctor, Dr. Vivek Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans and has worked to address critical public health issues. He has issued Surgeon General Advisories on the youth mental health crisis and social media’s impact on youth mental health, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and on burnout in the health worker community. Dr. Murthy also issued a Surgeon General’s Framework on mental health in the workplace, and he is the first Surgeon General to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, where he invites guests and listeners to explore how we can all build more connected and meaningful lives. As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy oversees more than 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Dr. Murthy previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Obama. Raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, and his Masters in Business Administration from the Yale School of Management.
About Hana Kuma
Hana Kuma is an Emmy-nominated full-service media company co-founded by Naomi Osaka and her longtime agent and business partner, Stuart Duguid. Rooted by their name, which means “flower bear” in Japanese, Hana Kuma draws inspiration from Osaka’s Haitian, Japanese, and American upbringing. The media company stays grounded in universally enjoyable themes while exploring juxtapositions across cultures, exposing audiences to an expanded worldview. Hana Kuma is focused on telling honest and joyful stories that tackle important issues in society while disrupting the default across scripted, unscripted, podcasts, anime, manga, branded, fashion, sports, culture, and digital content. Founded in 2022, Hana Kuma recently spun off from LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The SpringHill Co, which helped incubate the media company.
