Joe Bamisile, a talented guard for Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) men’s basketball team, is making tremendous contributions off the court by raising mental health awareness.
Beyond Basketball: Joe Bamisile’s Game-Changing Mental Health Initiative
Drawing on personal experiences and scholarly ambitions, Bamisile and his professor, Vineeta Singh, launched “Maunda,” a social media platform aimed at promoting mental health.
Joe Bamisile is a shooting guard for @VCU_Hoops, but off the floor he’s getting his Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.
With the help of his professor, Vineeta Singh, Bamisile was able to create an app – Maunda – which focuses on mental health and well-being.
He hopes… pic.twitter.com/WpjIyYQYaU
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 16, 2025
While prospering on the court, Bamisile encountered mental health issues, prompting him to study meditation and mindfulness methods. These personal experiences prompted him to develop a platform that blends social connectivity with mental health resources.
During his interdisciplinary capstone at VCU, he launched Maunda, which aims to empower users with stress and anxiety management tools.
Launched in May 2024, Maunda offers special features aimed at promoting mental well-being:
- Vanishing Journal: Users can reflect on daily prompts, write their thoughts, and then submit the entry, which disappears, allowing a cathartic release.
- Group Meditation Sessions: Facilitates collaborative mindfulness activities, instilling a sense of community in users.
- Affirmations and Accountability Streaks: Encourages everyday involvement with positive affirmations and monitors user consistency in wellness activities.
Bamisile’s dedication to mental health extends into his academics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and is presently pursuing a master’s degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions.
This educational route gives him deeper insights into mental health, which complements the resources available through Maunda.
Maunda strives to revolutionize the digital world by emphasizing mental well-being in social networking.
By incorporating wellness features into a social platform, Bamisile hopes to mitigate the negative effects of traditional social media by developing a friendly and happy online atmosphere.
As Bamisile continues his basketball career with the VCU Rams, he is committed to expanding Maunda’s reach. His career shows how personal struggles can drive greater societal achievements, demonstrating athletes’ potential to influence areas other than sports.
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