After surviving breast cancer twice, Bershan Shaw, a renowned motivational speaker and entrepreneur, has turned her battle into a mission to support others by creating URAWARRIOR, an innovative mental health app designed to provide a safe, inclusive space for people in need of mental health services and peer-to-peer support.
Shaw’s journey began nearly 20 years ago when she was given just three months to live following a devastating breast cancer diagnosis.
Defying the odds, she overcame the disease and realized that there was a significant gap in the mental health space for people seeking refuge and support online without fear of judgment.
“I didn’t see a safe space online […] where you could get peer-to-peer support,” Shaw told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
She explained how many online groups can often become spaces of bullying or trolling, particularly for those dealing with sensitive issues like addiction or financial hardship.
URAWARRIOR, pronounced “you’re a warrior,” is inspired by Shaw’s own experience as a cancer survivor and her desire to create a community where vulnerability is embraced and healing is prioritized.
The app offers peer-to-peer support, live group coaching sessions, and a range of pre-recorded sessions for those who cannot join live. Topics addressed include grief and loss, depression, substance abuse, stress, and burnout.
The app’s foundation rests on four key pillars: personal development, self-improvement, motivation, and support. Shaw was intentional about crafting a space where people could engage openly without the fear of judgment, a stark contrast to the stigmas around mental health, particularly in Black communities.
“We’ve been living in shame and embarrassment,” Shaw said, noting that therapy has long been a taboo subject.
In addition to creating a judgment-free community, URAWARRIOR aims to bridge the gap in access to mental health resources. Shaw acknowledges that therapy can be expensive and often comes with long wait times. URAWARRIOR provides an alternative by offering expert coaching and daily challenges for personal growth, along with mood tracking to help users monitor their progress.
To encourage people to take the first step, Shaw is offering a 60-day free trial of the app, which includes access to daily challenges and motivational tools. With 365 days of challenges, one for each day of the year, Shaw’s approach promotes consistent self-improvement.
Her recently published book, URAWARRIOR: 365 Ways to Challenge You to a Better Life, also mirrors this commitment to personal growth.
“What I want to do is change how people interact and what people see […] because you are what you think, you are what you feel, and you are what you see,” Shaw shared. “We’re in this together.”
Shaw’s app provides an essential resource for those looking to take charge of their mental health, offering a supportive, positive community where healing and growth are at the forefront.
