Removing Obstacles to Mental Well-being: Why Betterspace Finds Its Moment This Ganesh Chaturthi

A Festival of Beginnings, A Space for Healing

Ganesh Chaturthi has always meant something more to me than just a celebration. It’s not only the arrival of Lord Ganesha into our homes but also the reminder that obstacles, no matter how big or small, can be cleared. Ganesha is Vighnaharta—the remover of hurdles, the bringer of wisdom, the symbol of calm strength. His presence in our homes each year is both festive and deeply symbolic: we welcome him with devotion, we celebrate his wisdom, and when he departs, he leaves us with blessings to carry forward.

This year, Ganesh Chaturthi feels even more personal. Because alongside the festive chants, the marigolds, and the prayers, we also see the launch of something very close to my heart—Betterspace, our mental health app, now out in the world. While the app has quietly been available for people to explore, we chose this festival as the moment to truly share it widely on social media. Why? Because what better time than Ganesh Chaturthi—a time of new beginnings, of removing obstacles, of finding clarity.

To me, Betterspace is more than just a product launch. It is an offering. An offering to anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported. Just like we invite Lord Ganesha into our lives for wisdom and guidance, I hope Betterspace becomes a presence in people’s lives—gentle, safe, and transformative.

In this piece, I want to share not only what Betterspace is, but also why it matters, why we chose this day, and how I see it becoming a gentle hand for anyone walking through the zigzags of their mental health journey.

Why Mental Health Matters—Now More Than Ever

We are living in a time when conversations about mental health are louder than ever, and yet, the silence is still deafening. Social media is filled with posts about self-care, influencers talk about therapy, and companies are beginning to include well-being in their policies. But behind closed doors, in families, workplaces, and communities, the hesitation to speak openly remains.

The gap between needing help and seeking help is wide. People often don’t know where to start. There’s fear of stigma, lack of time, questions about trust, and sometimes just the quiet hope that “maybe it’ll pass.” Too often, we let things pile up—stress that becomes burnout, sadness that becomes depression, worry that becomes crippling anxiety. By the time someone decides to reach out, they are often already overwhelmed.

But the truth is—mental health struggles are not rare, and they’re not something to brush aside. They touch everyone in some way. Students anxious about exams and uncertain futures. Professionals battling long hours, impossible deadlines, and the silent fatigue of always being ‘on.’ Parents trying to balance nurturing their families with their own well-being. Even leaders, who may appear strong, quietly carry the weight of expectations and decisions that affect many lives.

India, in particular, has long faced the challenge of making mental health support truly accessible. We have a shortage of trained professionals, long wait times for appointments, and affordability issues that make therapy out of reach for many. But perhaps the biggest barrier is still hesitation. The hesitation to speak, to admit, to ask. That’s the obstacle Betterspace was built to remove.

I believe mental health should not feel like a luxury. It should feel like a right. And like Ganesha who opens pathways where there seem to be none, we need tools that make it easier to take that very first step.

Ganesha’s Symbols and the Journey of Mental Health

When I think about why Ganesh Chaturthi is the right time to speak about Betterspace, it’s not just about timing. It’s about symbolism. Every aspect of Lord Ganesha has a lesson for how we see and treat mental health. Over time, these symbols have become almost like guiding values for how we’ve built Betterspace:

• Big Ears (Śūrpakarṇa): Ganesha listens deeply. His ears are wide, always ready to hear every prayer, every whisper. To me, this is the foundation of care—listening without judgement. In Betterspace, the first promise is listening. Whether through 24/7 first support with Rooh or with our licensed psychologists, your voice matters. Sometimes being heard is the first step to healing.
• Trunk (Śuṇḍā / Vakratuṇḍa): The trunk is strong yet flexible, able to uproot a tree or pick a tiny modak. That’s the kind of flexibility mental health care needs—support that bends to your day, whether chat, call, or video. We know life doesn’t run on fixed hours, so why should care?
• Modak: The sweet that Ganesha loves is also a reminder of small joys. At Betterspace, we believe in small steps—daily nudges, check-ins, and tiny tools that, like modaks, add up to something nourishing. Healing doesn’t always come from grand breakthroughs. Sometimes, it’s the little habits that matter most.
• Broken Tusk (Bhagnadanta / Ekadanta): The broken tusk is perhaps the most powerful symbol for mental health. It tells us imperfection is okay. Healing is not linear. Progress doesn’t need to look perfect. Just as Ganesha embraced his broken tusk as part of his identity, we too can learn that our scars and struggles do not make us less—they make us human.
• Abhaya Mudra (Gesture of Safety): The open palm says, “You are safe.” That’s the essence of Betterspace: a safe, private space where your words are held without judgement. A space that doesn’t demand perfection, but offers acceptance.
• Ankuśa & Pāśa (Goad and Rope): They remind us of gentle guidance. Sometimes we need a nudge, sometimes a steady hold. Betterspace offers plans, reminders, and check-ins that never push too hard, but never let you feel alone either. It’s not about controlling the journey, but about walking alongside.

Each of these symbols feels like a guiding principle, and together they form the very heart of how I hope Betterspace feels for everyone who enters it.

The Obstacles We Face

Before Betterspace, I spent a lot of time listening to people’s stories. The themes kept repeating. I heard students say, “I don’t know where to start.” I heard working professionals say, “I don’t have the time for therapy.” I heard parents whisper, “What if people judge me?” And I even heard, “I don’t even know if my problem is ‘big enough.’”

These are real obstacles. They don’t just block access to care—they block people from even taking the first step. And the longer we wait, the heavier those obstacles feel.

Which is why, when we designed Betterspace, we asked ourselves: how do we remove each of these hurdles?

• To the student who doesn’t know where to start, we offer Rooh—always there, 24/7, a safe first step.
• To the professional who doesn’t have time, we offer flexibility—sessions that fit your schedule, tools that take minutes, not hours.
• To the parent who fears judgement, we offer privacy—an app that feels like a safe room, where your story stays yours.
• To the one who thinks their problem isn’t big enough, we say: every worry matters. No concern is too small to deserve care.

By addressing these hurdles, I believe Betterspace creates something truly unique: a space that doesn’t wait for you to hit rock bottom. A space that welcomes you exactly where you are.

Betterspace: Already Here, Already Yours

Today, Betterspace isn’t just an idea—it’s real, it’s live, and it’s already supporting people. When you open the app, here’s what you’ll find:

• Rooh, Your First Support: A 24/7 companion that listens when you need it most, helping you take the first step. Sometimes that 2 AM message makes all the difference.
• Licensed Psychologists: Not generic advice, but real experts who can guide you in sessions that fit your schedule. Therapy doesn’t need to mean waiting weeks for an appointment—it can mean having help when you need it.
• Daily Tools & Nudges: Gentle practices—reflection prompts, check-ins, breathing guides—that help you build small habits of care. Tiny rituals that keep you grounded through the noise of everyday life.
• Privacy & Trust: No judgement, no labels, just space. Your story stays yours. The app is designed with confidentiality as its foundation.

The most important thing is: it’s accessible now. This is not a dream we’re still building—it’s a space you can step into today. It’s not about promising a better future someday; it’s about offering a better space right now.

Why We Announce It Now: Ganesh Chaturthi as Our Moment

If the app is already live, why announce on Ganesh Chaturthi? Because festivals are collective reminders. And this festival, more than any other, is about removing obstacles. The obstacles between us and wisdom. Between us and calm. Between us and ourselves.

By choosing this day, we’re tying Betterspace to something timeless: the belief that every obstacle can be moved, every path can be cleared, and every journey can begin—even if the first step is small. In many homes, people pray to Ganesha before starting something new—a project, a career, even a relationship. In the same way, we want Betterspace to be the beginning of something new in people’s lives: the beginning of putting themselves first.

It also reminds me that care doesn’t need to be postponed. We don’t wait for the right moment to seek blessings, and in the same way, we shouldn’t wait for the “perfect” moment to seek care. Any moment can be the right moment.

A Personal Reflection

When I think about why Betterspace matters, I don’t just think as a founder. I think as a human. I’ve seen people I care about hesitate to ask for help. I’ve felt the weight of unspoken struggles in rooms full of smiles. I’ve watched how silence grows heavier with time. And I’ve felt, too, the relief that comes when someone finally says, “I hear you. I’m with you.”

Betterspace, for me, is not only a product. It’s a promise. A promise that no one has to wait until it gets unbearable. That there’s a space where you can show up as you are—confused, anxious, hopeful, or simply curious—and still be welcomed. It’s not about grand fixes, but about small steps. It’s not about changing who you are, but about helping you feel safe enough to be yourself.

I also know that creating something like this comes with responsibility. People will bring their vulnerabilities into Betterspace, and it is our duty to hold them with care. That’s the culture I want to build—not just an app, but a compassionate ecosystem.

An Invitation

If you’re reading this, I want to invite you to try Betterspace. Not as an obligation, but as an experiment. Open the app, take a look, let yourself explore. Maybe you’ll book a session, maybe you’ll just try a small tool. Every step counts. Every step is forward.

My only ask is: give yourself the chance. Just as we light a diya without knowing how long it will burn, just as we offer a modak without knowing who else will share in the sweetness—sometimes the act itself is enough. Taking that one step into Betterspace could be the start of something meaningful.

Ganpati Bappa Morya, and a Step for You

As we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, I wish you wisdom, calm, and courage. May the obstacles on your path feel lighter. And may you always find a space that welcomes you, just as you are.

Betterspace is here. The app is live. And your journey can start whenever you’re ready—even if it’s with one tiny step.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

— Shivli & Abhilash