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TED 2023 on mental health: Speakers reveal some must-have psychic skills

7 incredible TED talks about mental health, changing with change, and motivating by taking action.

by aayushi.samdani
TED 2023, Possibility

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TED community is on a mission to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility, and catalyze impact. With over 4200 TED talks stirring our creative juices and curiosity on what’s happening in the world, talking about innovations, social issues like mental health and educational inequality, sustainability, and whatnot!

We have curated a list of 7 mind-bending TED talks for this Mental Awareness Month, talking about mental health awareness, breakthroughs from traditional norms and changing with the change, and some game-changing neurotech developments this 2023. Get ready to be to boost your curiosity, reasoning, and the pursuit of knowledge with these upcoming TED talks:

Luis von Ahn

We think that education is an equalizing force, but imagine the impact of unequal access to education and poor quality of educational background in today’s competitive world.

An educational equity technologist, Luis von Ahn developed ‘Duolingo.’ An app that combines AI and education, and helps boost access to education globally by leveraging the psychological techniques of social media and mobile games. Poor children can learn with the app from anywhere without worrying about the quality of education.

The idea brewed with his experiences in Guatemala, where he noticed how educational inequality and lack of access to quality education were the reasons for low self-confidence sometimes leading to poor mental health.

“I want the poor people in Guatemala to be able to learn with very high quality and the only way I know how to do that is with A.I.,” says von Ahn.

Andy Dunn

Entrepreneurs and creative heads are often applauded for their ambitions, and crazy ideas but the darker side of their work is often ignored. The constant pressure and manic episodes they face on a daily basis often result in mental health issues and a lack of contentment. “Entrepreneurs are not gods, even when we think we are,” says Dunn.

Mental health truth-teller, Andy Dunn shares his story of mental wellness on TED 2023 held on April 19, 2023. He began suffering manic triggers due to his bipolar disorder in his early 20s when he started working at his online retail company “Bonobos”.

He calls for more accessible, and affordable healthcare for all and asks everyone to consider the true nature of leadership and its implications on entrepreneurs. Dunn is also very popular among entrepreneurs for his critically acclaimed book “Burn Rate” and his strong opinions.

Francesca Hogi

Why do people feel unloved, knowing we were born with the skill to love and get loved unconditionally? The love coach, podcast host, mental health expert, and TED community member, Francesca Hogi believes our notion of love is external and scarce. We give other people the power to make us feel unloved and then feel mentally depressed about it. She insists on focusing on internal and infinite love, cultivating a love for yourself within.

Francesca has spent over 10 years speaking to thousands about their romantic hopes and dreams, blaming the false marketing of perfect love to sell a shallow fantasy of being loved that we have been sold for decades now. She believes that you can start loving yourself and take the power from external sources to make you feel unloved.

Gus Worland

Too many talks about being physically fit, but what about mental health? How do we forget to talk about being mentally fit?

An Australian television and radio personality, Gus Worland is on a mission to change the taboo around mental health by helping people develop skills and emotional muscle, recognizing the need to talk about the struggle, and being vulnerable enough to ask for help. He started an NGO “Gotcha4Life”, hoping to end suicides and break the stigma about mental health issues and manic disorders.

He provides simple solutions like looking after your loved ones and keeping a check on those who are important to you and if you don’t know where to begin, start by sending simple text messages “I love you, and I am always there for you!”

Maya Shankar

Change is inevitable, but how do you transform yourself in the face of change is a big challenge. Cognitive scientist & Creator of A Slight Change of Plans, Maya Shankar shares three questions you can ask to find out who you are when you see the world is shifting under your feet and you can’t think straight.

  • How does this change, change what you’re capable of?
  • How might this change, change what you value?
  • How might this change, change how you define yourself?

With her inspiring stories, your soul will be uplifted, and you will understand the importance of stepping out of your comfort zones and rigid mindsets to change for the better. She asks people to be more forward-looking, to be able to see a more rewarding and expansive path rich with possibilities awaits.

Nita Farahany

Who is collecting our brain data, and how will they use it?

Neurotechnology ethicist, Nita Farahany, shares an insight into how we are witnessing the dawn of technology that will allow us to record our most private data – our thoughts and desires. That’s correct, the electromagnetic pulses can track our brain activity. This information will then unlock the potential to self-program ourselves via brain stimuli which will help us treat everything from depression to mental health issues and epilepsy.

There’s a catch here, without protected interference of something like the ‘human right for cognitive liberty’, we can also fall prey to manipulation, surveillance, and micro-targeting. So it’s not just healing, it needs work on a recognized interference for the safety of human rights.

Conor Russomanno

Neuro technologist and inventor, Conor Russomanno has developed technology that utilizes not only the brain but also neglected muscles of the human body to create exciting and thrilling human-computer interfaces. The idea of peering into the workings of your brain is exciting and his mission to create it on a low-cost budget is motivating.

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