I
MARIANNE
LE COYTE
GRINNEY
FOUNDER
AND CHIEF
CLINICAL
OFFICER
HELD MIND
‘‘
Held Mind recognizes
the disparity in mental
healthcare access and
has been tireless in its
efforts to offer free mental
health resources to
marginalized communities.”
I
n the thriving chaos of London, one woman stands as an unwavering
example in the world of web3 mental health services. Marianne Le
Coyte Grinney, the dynamic force behind Held Mind’s revolutionary
platform, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of innovation and
inspiring hope for those facing mental health struggles.
passion for exploring digital ways of working, particularly in improving
the efficacy of mental health services, is awe-inspiring.
Marianne’s path to web3 was borne out of curiosity and a deep sense
of responsibility: “I noticed there were lots of Twitter Spaces on mental
health. People had mental health tabs within their Discord, and I thought,
‘Wow, that, that’s innovative. That’s amazing.’ But I quickly realized these
were very unmoderated and quite risky.”
The Confluence of Technology and Mental Health
At Held Mind, Marianne combines her robust experiences as a
psychotherapist, clinical lead in the NHS, mental health advisor for World
of Women, Director of IRIS Psychotherapy, and Labour Party councillor.
Despite the plethora of her roles, Marianne’s compass remains steadfast:
advancing social justice and access to mental health services in the rapidly
expanding landscape of web3.
That realization sparked the idea that eventually led to the creation of
Held Mind: “Held Mind was founded due to a need that we saw in web3
for mental health to be done safely and ethically, and also an outcry from
the wider web3 community struggling with sobriety.” Identifying the
glaring gaps in the system, she leveraged her professional expertise and
curated content by mental health professionals to address the unique
needs of the web3 community.
From her early career in the NHS to her entry into the world of web3,
Marianne’s journey embodies the spirit of a trailblazer. Her relentless
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OPEN TO MENTOR
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The Dawn of a New Era: Mental Health Alliance
A Journey of Self-Kindness
One of the key initiatives of Held Mind is the creation of a Mental
Health Alliance within their Discord server. This secure, gated channel
offers access to curated mental health content and real-life resources to
their partner projects to combat the distressing consequences of market
downturns and personal issues that members of the crypto space often
grapple with.
In a harsh and unyielding world, Marianne highlights the importance
of self-kindness and silencing the inner critic. Her advice to her past
self? “I would’ve been kinder to myself. I would have silenced my inner
critic more by developing a kinder narrative toward myself,” she notes,
emphasizing the significance of self-compassion in professional and
personal growth.
Marianne explains: “We have a confidential ticketing system within our
Discord where anyone who comes in will be met safely and ethically by
either a licensed mental health professional or expert of lived experience
in the context of sobriety.”
The narrative we tell ourselves is powerful, shaping our perspective,
actions, and overall mental health. Marianne’s dedication to fostering a
more compassionate self-dialogue illuminates the significance of mental
health in paving the way for success and well-being.
Training Therapists for a Web3 Future
Overcoming Challenges
Recognizing the importance of therapists understanding the evolving
digital frontier, Marianne has spearheaded comprehensive training
systems. “We have created a comprehensive training system, and
we’re applying for CEU accreditation,” she explains. This step ensures
that therapists receive relevant and up-to-date education about the
web3 space, enhancing their professional competence and contributing
to client welfare.
The tech landscape is not without its challenges, especially for women.
She asserts: “I think being a woman has had its strengths and drawbacks
regarding the playing field in web3… I just overcome it by consistently
pushing forward, showing up, and consistently saying, ‘no, actually I’m
here too, and I deserve to be listened to as well.’”
Her advice to women forging their path is straightforward yet profound:
“Keep going, tune out the noise, find other women, and reach out to
them… you are just as good as everybody else, and you deserve to be part
of that table too.”
Leaning into Emerging Tech for Global Impact
Marianne leverages the power of emerging tech to create a significant
global impact. At Held Mind, it recognizes the disparity in mental
healthcare access and has been tireless in its efforts to offer free mental
health resources to marginalized communities. “By providing that for free
– our Mental Health Alliance is completely free – we feel that we’re using
emerging tech positively,” she emphasizes.
The Power of Connection
Marianne’s commitment to mental health accessibility extends beyond her
company. As a founding member of Therapists DAO, she is committed to
bringing therapists into the web3 sphere and advocating for their proper
remuneration. She notes: “I’m excited about onboarding people from
Therapists DAO into Held Mind and expanding that in terms of what we
can offer to projects and companies in the future.”
Moreover, by integrating their platform with various web3 services, Held
Mind is also actively working towards reducing the stigma surrounding
mental health, amplifying the critical dialogue that “we all have a brain,
therefore we all have mental health.”
The power of connection lies at the heart of Marianne’s work, fostering
an inclusive, supportive community where ideas are nurtured, dreams are
realized, and meaningful change is made possible.
Marianne envisions a world where technology eliminates barriers to
access, particularly in mental health care and education. “The more
power through the way emerging tech is evolving, all we’re going to
do is continue to break down access to barriers. That, to me, is huge,”
she states emphatically.
Marianne’s transformative work at Held Mind and her persistent advocacy
for mental health accessibility and social justice are cha
nging the game,
pushing boundaries, and paving the way for a future where technology and
mental health merge to create a world of healing and growth.
A Legacy of Compassion and Change
Marianne’s work is not just creating ripples; it’s causing waves. The impact
of Held Mind is far-reaching, benefiting individuals across different
demographics, particularly those traditionally hindered by access barriers
such as prohibitive insurance costs in the United States or extensive
waiting lists in the UK.
Unflinchingly, Marianne shares: “Those members of the population who
most need help but may be less likely to get help are the people who will
benefit most from our work.” In this brave new world of web3, her work
sets the pace for accessible mental health care.
Firebrand_35
marianne-le-coyte-grinney-20109559
At the heart of her journey is a profound belief that “everybody is always
doing their best. No matter what outside observers think, they’re always
doing their best with the tools and resources they have.”
heldmind.co
irispsychotherapy.co.uk
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