We were lucky to catch up with Mariah Mochon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mariah, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish that I would have been mentally prepared earlier in life and thus able to take the plunge earlier. I began in September of 2022, with a simple idea to make self care boxes. I was in a dark place mentally and I absolutely sucked at self care. I was struggling mentally with severe depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. I was preparing to start nursing school and it felt like I had done nothing in my life. I would have loved to start Mental Health In A Box sooner, but looking back I needed those life experiences to make my business its true authentic self. So, do I wish I could’ve started sooner? Yes. Do I regret starting when I did? Not at all. I think everything happens for a reason and Mental Health In A Box came to the world when it needed to.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was introduced into the world of mental health when my uncle Markie committed suicide in September of 2012. It was a rude awakening that made me realize we never truly know what people are struggling with. I began to struggle with severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts as I got older. I reached a breaking point where I was given the hard truth that I had to start doing what many would call “self care”. As I started on this journey, I wanted to in turn help others find that connection between self care and mental health. I stared to make self care boxes that resonated with myself and my mental health. I wanted to make them simple, joyful, and full of things that would actually help people’s mental health. I decided to source everything for my boxes from small businesses because who better to help others feel loved. People began to resonate with my mission and authenticity and things just took off. I continued to bridge the gap between self care and mental health with my boxes and started to foster a community of like-minded individuals. I started to think bigger and began to host self care retreats in my community that were an instant success. I am so proud of the growth & success my little business has had, but more proud that I am able to help show people that self care and mental health can go hand in hand. There really is not enough hope in this world and if I can help one person walk away from suicide then I have done what I am meant to do. I hope that people can see the love and thought I put into everything I do. More than anything I want to make every single person I come across feel loved, special, & needed in this world.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Honestly, I just started posting authentically and positively on social media. I tried to put out into the world what I knew that I needed, and I needed positivity and hope. I never went viral, but I consistently grew a community that truly believed in me and my mission. It is so easy to fall into the trap of wanting to go viral and thinking that you have failed if you haven’t. But I began to realize that even if your video or post only reaches 100 people, that is 100 people who you now have the opportunity to connect with. Don’t underestimate the power of a handful of people. That handful of people will tell their friends, they will tell their friends, and it will turn into wildfire. Just stay consistent and positive.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of what I do is that I get to bring joy and light back into people’s lives. Whether it is through a self care box or attending one of our self care retreats, I am able to bring joy to people who need it. To me there is truly nothing better, and it is why I can push through the struggles that come with owning a small business in today’s world.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://mentalhealthinaboxco.com
• Instagram: @mentalhealthinabox
• Facebook: Mental Health In A Box