Continuing the conversation about mental health safe spaces

By Jamie Wu ‘18 

Daniella Mohazab is a senior studying Communication, Media Economics and Entrepreneurship, and is a first year masters student studying Communication Management. Aside from her passion for communication, she is also a strong advocate for the mental well-being of students on our USC campus as well as young adults across the U.S. 

Diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorders in January of 2016, Daniella searched for “Young women mental illness” on Google, and found that there were only forums for mothers and websites with symptoms of these illnesses. She couldn’t find a supportive online presence that addressed the problems she was facing as a young adult college student. Thus, she decided to create one such platform that she wished had been available when she was first diagnosed.  

She created a website called Happy Pill which brings together young women with mental illnesses and mental health professionals to share their stories. It features stories of mental health professionals and everyday people who are diagnosed with mental illnesses. They currently have a blog of stories submitted by their readers, as well as social media channels with memes, quotes, and more. 

Happy Pill is also currently part of the USC Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurship Incubator program, a competitive program to be accepted into. In addition, Daniella’s website has a presence on over ten college campuses throughout the U.S., including Colgate University, UC Berkeley, and the University of Southern California. Their monthly viewership is roughly 3,500 viewers. Happy Pill is the online community she once had longed for; every day she receives Instagram DMs and emails from young women thanking her for the platform, offering to share stories, and asking for advice. Happy Pill can be described as “Trendy, fun, flirty, depressing at times and honest” Their site is HappyPill.com and their Instagram is @HappyPillOfficial.

When asked "what is one thing she wishes USC would do in terms of taking care of our students mental health?” Danielle responded with “If the administration would make mental health help more easily accessible on campus, then students would feel more comfortable doing so. Sometimes it takes weeks to get an appointment. The online helpline is fantastic- but if we could have a method that helps pair students to proper resources immediately and could help students really look at their schedules and habits to most adequately help their mental health, that would allow for a stronger sense of community, unity, and health.” 

On this campus, there are multiple resources for students seeking help with mental illness. These include the Engemann Health Center’s student counseling services, safe spaces located in different cultural center offices (APASS, El Centro Chicano) and programming events put on by the Academic Culture Assembly. But if you are seeking a supportive and readily available place where you can share your mental health stories, check out Happy Pill and find yourself in a safe community of others with mental illnesses.

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