Pilot Program “Beans to Minds”
Our current model builds on the success of this: our pilot program, Beans to Minds—an initiative that confirmed what we long suspected: there is an unmet need for mental health and wellness support among women in coffee farming. The pilot not only validated this need, but also demonstrated that our approach is both effective and accessible in improving their overall well-being.
Pilot Program Demographics
Edith
“It was very comforting to be able to release so many repressed emotions like sadness, that I had kept to myself in order not to hurt my loved ones (husband and children) without realizing that those repressed emotions were causing me harm. During the therapies, I began to analyze and reflect, and I felt relieved.”
Key Findings
1) There is an unmet need for mental health care & wellness support
80% of participants had never done individual therapy before the program, primarily due to a lack of mental health resources in rural areas, social stigmas surrounding therapy, and logistical barriers to seeking therapy.
62% recognized the need for therapy before the program, indicating a demand for safe spaces to speak openly and work through current life challenges.
82% expressed a strong desire to continue teletherapy sessions after the program, demonstrating a positive shift in perception toward seeking therapy and the need for ongoing support.
“Because it’s always necessary. Just as one takes time to eat or bathe, one must take time for one's emotional state.”
2) Teletherapy is an effective and accessible approach to meet this need
100% of participants’ attendance and over 78 one-on-one teletherapy sessions.
77% received teletherapy sessions via phone calls and 23% via video calls. Both methods proved equally effective, making the service accessible despite participants’ location or connectivity limitations.
85% valued the ability to access therapy remotely, citing benefits such as flexible scheduling, eliminating travel barriers, and feeling more comfortable expressing themselves.
“If it had been in person, I don’t think I would have been able to say anything.”
" “ Texts in quotation marks indicate direct excerpts from participants' feedback collected through pre- and post-program surveys.
These findings were derived from pre- and post-program surveys conducted with the 39 participants, as well as reports provided by psychologists from the 78 teletherapy sessions.
Niyider
“For me, the therapy sessions were very important. I should have done therapy sooner. I had been feeling very bad, and my stress was triggering vitiligo. These sessions with the psychologists were incredibly beneficial. I let out so much and cried a lot during them.
Key Findings
3) Sustainable mental health improvements are driven by community support
100% of the participants who attended the group workshops valued the opportunity to connect with other women and share their experiences in community.
“A woman alone cannot overcome her needs. We need support from each other and more activities like this one.”
100% would recommend this program to female friends or neighbors, citing its impact and their desire for other women to have the same opportunity.
92% were part of a WhatsApp group, and almost all of them were actively engaged. They shared their experiences about the teletherapy sessions and supported each other in staying accountable, relatable, and motivated.
4) The program led to significant improvements in participants' well-being
100% of participants found teletherapy sessions beneficial, citing key benefits such as receiving expert guidance, being listened to actively, and having a safe space for self-reflection.
92% were able to identify or solve personal or family challenges thanks to the teletherapy sessions.
64% experienced improved family relationships after completing the program.
“The teletherapy sessions helped me get through hidden pains; it was a unique and favorable experience for my relationship with my partner and daughter.”
" “ Texts in quotation marks indicate direct excerpts from participants' feedback collected through pre- and post-program surveys.
These findings were derived from pre- and post-program surveys conducted with the 39 participants, as well as reports provided by psychologists from the 78 teletherapy sessions.
Donors
Grind That Coffee
Conor Carrigan - Ivonne Valencia- Matt Cariani - Jhon Notte - Estella Jiménez & Enoc Hernández - Erica Bawot - Stephanie Burgos - Marta Enerieth Gómez - Kat Melheim - Bud Taliaferro - Sandra Loofbourow - Amaris Gutierrez-Ray - Jessica Keenan - Yennifer Rico
