AK Kerani: A Mental Health Organization and a Fashion Store All in One

Knitting and mental health awareness is not the most common combination. But that’s what makes AK Kerani so unique. The company sells handmade products in order to promote knitting as a therapeutic activity. Their mission is to advocate for mental health awareness and reduce stigmas associated with mental illness through open dialogue. I had the opportunity to speak with CEO and Founder of AK Kerani, Danielle Kerani, as well as the VP of Communications, Jenna Frasier about knitting, Mental Health Monday, and the importance of forming deeper connections.In one sentence, describe AK KeraniJenna Frasier: AK Kerani is an organization that promotes mental health awareness through open and honest dialogue. The vehicle used to help facilitate that however, is knitting.Danielle Kerani: What Jenna said. It’s a mental health organization and a fashion store all in one.How did each of you get involved?D: At first it was just a fashion store but when my uncle passed away five years ago, he had schizophrenia, and I was so inspired by him. He had a tremendous amount of self awareness--he knew his limits. That’s where the social mission of empowering people came in. It became so apparent that mental health issues are universal. Everyone has a journey that makes up their mental health and that should be celebrated. So AK Kerani became a balance of discussion groups and knitting. The goal to promote open dialogue through knitting gives it an edge/niche.J: I wasn’t a knitter. But I felt connected to the mission because of a lot of personal experience with mental health struggles in my family. I felt connected to the idea of creating space for open and honest dialogue around those issues because it just wasn’t happening around me. I also felt a connection with tech and startup culture--the commitment to innovation and progress. I wanted to help get rid of the image that mental health is a problem. I want people to understand that it makes you you.D: People do recognize us as the only company that bridges knitting and mental health. Many people have written about and explored the connection between knitting and mental health but nobody but us has incorporated it.What is the purpose of Mental Health Monday?J: We just started it officially, but it has always been part of the mission. It’s just another way we are trying to create open spaces for discussion. It’s a time and a place to meet up and talk about mental health. We talk about mental health in the workplace, in the media, and the stigma and effect it has. So it’s a bi-weekly conversation for an hour where we connect over mental health. There are no power dynamics, we are just trying to have authentic and organic conversations.D: It’s essentially a think tank for mental health. We gather people who are on various places on the mental health spectrum and we just talk and relate to one another. Overall, it’s a way to brainstorm how to change the perception. So we knit a few squares, and talk about our experiences with mental health.What is it about knitting that you find to be therapeutic?D: The idea that you are using a consistent action to create something beautiful is so inspiring. A simple motion turns into a product that you can show off. I also feel a sense of pride when I am done. Something that starts while on the subway or while watching tv becomes something that people buy/invest in. That’s amazing.J: To me, the process of creation is very therapeutic. You feel connected to it as you are working. And then, there is a tangible product at the end. It’s very calming.What are some other things that you find therapeutic when you are stressed/anxious?D: I feel like just hanging out and doing nothing is taken for granted nowadays. Everyone feels like they need to be productive all the time. But it’s nice to focus on self-reflection and making connections with other people.J: Taking a moment to reflect. As I’ve gotten older, I feel like the self is the thing that comes last. It’s nice to just take a moment and ask myself how am I actually doing. Just stop, check in with the body. It’s simple but very therapeutic. I also start off each day listening to the Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast, it’s the perfect way to start the day. I also try to train my brain to look at the world and see all the possibilities. I try and feed off of NYC energy. I can’t sit at a desk all day, I need to be loving what I am doing.Anything else?D: I visited TechDay last year and I really loved the energy there. It was amazing to see grassroots startups standing next to Uber. It was a real smorgasbord of companies. I envisioned being there this year so I am really excited that it will actually happen. I am excited to share our vision with NYC startup community.The passion shown by both Danielle and Jenna is absolutely palpable. Their care and desire to help reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness is what makes AK Kerani so special.You can meet Danielle and Jenna at NY TechDay on 4/14!FB: https://www.facebook.com/AKKerani/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKKerani