The Founding of MWA

Korey’s wake-up call came in fragments:

• A family member’s browser history, filled with searches about how to end their pain.
• A friend’s confession, revealing fresh self-harm scars beneath a sweatshirt.
• His own battles with feeling “trapped” in a world that praised productivity over humanity.

“I realized we’re all fighting invisible wars,” Korey says. “But society treats mental health like a luxury—something you can address after you’ve paid bills, met deadlines, or ‘proven’ your worth. That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.”

We believe support shouldn’t come with conditions. Whether someone is battling invisible storms, grieving a loss, or just needs to feel less alone, our programs are designed to uplift, connect, and empower—no explanations required.

• Peer Support Program: Life’s struggles don’t fit into neat categories. That’s why our 24/7 Peer Support Program welcome anyone feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, isolation, grief, or the weight of simply being human. Through our online Discord server (and eventually, in-person sessions), participants find solidarity in shared experiences, whether they’re navigating a crisis, rebuilding after self-harm, or just needing to voice their fears without shame.

  “You don’t need a ‘reason’ to join,” says Korey. “If you’re hurting, we welcome you with open arms to try and help where we can.”

• Gamers for Wellness Program: Video games aren’t just entertainment—they’re lifelines. In our Gamers for Wellness program, players forge connections in cooperative quests, creative sandbox worlds, and livestreamed workshops that blend gameplay with mental health education. “Games helped me find my people when I felt like an outsider,” Korey shares. “Now, we’re paying that forward.” From Minecraft builds that symbolize personal growth to Among Us sessions that teach communication skills, we use games to:
• Combat loneliness through team-based adventures.
• Act as a distraction from anxiety and depression.
• Celebrate neurodivergent joy (no masking required!).

• Self-Care Package Program (Coming Soon!): No two struggles are the same—so why should support be one-size-fits-all? When funding allows, we’ll send free, personalized care packages to those in crisis or chronic stress. Here’s how it works:
• Take Our “Comfort Survey”:
• A quick, quirky survey (no invasive questions!) to learn about interests and needs. Some questions may include:
• What brings you calm? 🎮 Gaming, 🎬 movies, 🎨 doodling, 🌿 nature, 🎧 music?
• What type of support would help most? Stress-relief tools, sensory items, creative outlets, or just a reminder that someone cares?
• What’s your story about mental health? (If you’re comfortable in sharing).
• Your Box, Your Voice:
• Based on answers, we’ll curate a package that feels like it was made just for them. Every box includes:
• Personalized Notes: Handwritten messages like “Your story isn’t over yet” or “Keep doodling your way through—the world needs your art.”
• Grounding Tools:
• For gamers: A tactile puzzle or retro game-inspired fidget toy. If funding allots, games, digital cards, and/or consoles.
• For creatives: Mini sketchbooks, gel pens, or DIY zine kits.
• For movie lovers: A curated playlist of uplifting film scenes or a DIY “film therapy” guide.
• Crisis Resources:
• Local hotlines, DIY care guides, and art from our community (like a sticker designed by someone who’s been there too).
• More Than a Package:
• Every box ends with an invitation to join our Peer Support Program or Gamers for Wellness—because healing doesn’t stop at the mailbox.
• “These boxes aren’t just stuff,” Korey says. “They’re a message: ‘You’re not invisible. We see you, and we care.’”

Korey emphasizes that this is only the beginning. MWA is building a bold blueprint for the future, with plans to launch peer-led workshops, community art collaborations, and partnerships with local organizations—all designed to empower individuals before crises strike and redefine what mental health support looks like.

Growing up with diagnosed ADD in schools even though some labeled him “difficult” instead of different, Korey internalized society’s cruelest lie: that his value depended on how well he “performed.” For years, he chased validation through overachievement. Grinding through a Master’s degree, climbing career ladders in media and tech, and clinging to accolades like lifelines.

“I was the ‘success story’—the neurodivergent kid who ‘overcame’ his limitations,” Korey says. “But burning myself out to prove I was ‘enough’ nearly destroyed me. It took years to realize: The system wasn’t broken because I struggled. It was broken because it only celebrated people who could hide their pain or were just lucky enough to not have to experience hardships.”

That reckoning led him to radically redefine success. He walked away from industries that profit from burnout to build MWA—a sanctuary for those told they’re “too much” or “not enough.”

“MWA isn’t about helping people ‘succeed’ in a rigged game,” Korey explains. “It’s about rewriting the rules. You’re worthy now—not after some degree, promotion, or milestone. Your rest is sacred. Your needs aren’t flaws. And you,” he adds, voice softening, “are never alone in this fight.”

For Korey, this is more than just a nonprofit—it’s a movement. A movement to stand up for those who feel unheard and to foster a world where mental health is prioritized, not ignored.

“If I can help even one person avoid the struggles I went through, then this is all worth it,” Korey said.

Every contribution helps build:

• 📦 Self-Care Packages for those in crisis.
• 🎮 Safe Gaming Spaces to combat loneliness.
• ❤️🩹 Free Resources for self-harm recovery and suicide prevention.

“Mental health isn’t a checkbox—it’s a lifeline,” Korey says. “At MWA, we’re not just offering help. We’re rebuilding what it means to care.”