18 Inspiring Mental Health Related Business Ideas (2024)

Updated: July 12th, 2024

Almost 11% of the world population suffers from some kind of mental health disorder. That's almost 800 million people.

In business terms, that's a quite big addressable market to tackle, as attractive as any other you can find. Plus, you get the benefit of making an impact on people's lives. So there's no doubt why the sector is booming and entrepreneurs, investors and tech companies are paying more attention to it.

Have a mental health-related business and want to get added to this list? Submit to share your story here.

Below we have listed some successful businesses that we have featured in the past and that are thriving while helping people. Check them out, and get some inspiration from their stories:

1. Start a meditation studio

Starting a meditation studio is a great business idea for those passionate about wellness and helping others find inner peace. This studio provides a relaxing and calming environment where people can practice mindfulness and meditation.

At your meditation studio, you can offer a variety of classes and workshops, including guided meditation sessions, yoga classes, and other wellness practices. You can also offer one-on-one coaching and personal development sessions to help your clients achieve their goals and find more balance in their lives.

To create the perfect atmosphere, you will want to design your space with calming colors, comfortable seating, and soothing lighting. You may also want to consider adding essential oil diffusers, calming music, and other elements that help create a peaceful environment.

The demand for meditation and mindfulness practices is growing, so starting a meditation studio is an excellent opportunity to tap into this trend and positively impact your community. By providing a place for people to relax, de-stress, and find inner peace, you can help people live happier, healthier lives.

How much you can make: $13,000/month

How We Started A Mobile Meditation Studio

Baltimore-based mother-daughter duo, Athena and Maria, co-founded Kala Mobile Meditation, a mobile meditation studio that generates approximately $13,000 a month by providing sound therapy and audio meditations through their 35 ft vehicle equipped with 8 meditation pods, a convenient and restorative space to calm the mind, reconnect with the self, and improve work productivity.

Read by 9,749 founders

2. Start a supplements company

A supplement business makes money by selling dietary supplements, vitamins, protein powders, and health foods to customers.

These products are often sold directly to customers or through distributors and retailers.

Your target customers will likely include fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious individuals, wellness influencers, and those who prioritize their nutrition daily.

Starting a supplement brand is becoming increasingly popular because it's relatively inexpensive, and you can run the business from your home.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

How An Active Duty Soldier Built $6M/Year Bare Performance Nutrition

A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.

Read by 42,291 founders

3. Create a card game

If you love card games and have dreamed of starting your own business, why not consider starting a card game business? This can be a great way to bring people together and create a fun, social atmosphere while also making a profit.

To get started, you’ll need to decide what type of card game you want to focus on. Do you want to offer a variety of games like poker, blackjack, and baccarat, or do you want to specialize in a specific game like bridge or magic gathering? Once you’ve decided on the type of card game you want to offer, you’ll need to find a location to host your business. This could be a physical storefront or even an online platform.

Next, you’ll need to consider what types of services you want to offer. Some options could include hosting card game tournaments, offering lessons or classes for people interested in learning how to play or even selling card game supplies like decks, chips, and other accessories.

You'll need to advertise your business and create a strong online presence to attract customers. This could include creating a website, promoting your business on social media, and reaching out to local card game communities to spread the word about your business.

Overall, starting a card game business can be a rewarding and exciting venture. It allows you to share your love of card games with others while also building a successful business. You can turn your passion for card games into a thriving business with the right planning and dedication.

How much you can make: $500 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

On Turning An Online Solitaire Game Into A $1.5K/Month Side Hustle

Designer-turned-developer creates Online Solitaire, an online gaming website that features popular solitaire games such as Klondike, Spider, and Freecell, earning about $1,500 each month from SEO and optimization tools like Moz and Firebase.

Read by 14,604 founders

4. Start a mental health blog

Starting a mental health blog can be a fulfilling and impactful business idea for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of others. This type of business involves creating and maintaining a website or blog that provides helpful information and resources on mental health topics.

A mental health blog aims to educate and support those struggling with mental health issues, as well as their loved ones. This can be achieved through various content, including articles, videos, podcasts, etc.

You will need to research and gather information on various mental health topics, such as anxiety, depression, stress management, etc. You will also need to create and maintain a website or blog, which will serve as the platform for your content.

In terms of revenue, a mental health blog can generate income through various methods, such as advertising, sponsored content, and selling products or services related to mental health.

Overall, starting a mental health blog can be a rewarding and meaningful business idea for anyone looking to make a positive impact in the lives of others. By educating and supporting those struggling with mental health issues, you can make a significant difference in the world.

How much you can make: $1,100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)

How I Developed A $300K/Month Wearable That Reduces Stress

This case study article follows Vicki Mayo, who developed a stress-reducing wearable product for her company TouchPoint, which achieved over $2 million in sales in the first couple of years and has been used for stress relief over 3 million times.

Read by 6,997 founders

5. Start a journal brand

A journal is a newspaper or a magazine that covers a particular subject or a professional activity based on the author's thoughts and feelings. The beauty of journaling is there is no right or wrong way to start.

The approach depends on your personal experience and can take many forms.

Find a journaling habit that works for you and create a writing routine. Get creative and journal about anything that comes to mind, so long as it interests your target audience.

How much you can make: $200 — $150,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

How I Started A $12K/Month Business Selling Productivity Planners Online

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

Read by 64,289 founders

6. Build a mental health app

Starting a mental health app can be rewarding for those passionate about helping others. A mental health app is a mobile application that helps individuals manage their mental health and well-being. It can offer a variety of features, such as self-assessment tools, resources for finding therapists, and stress management and relaxation techniques.

One potential way to monetize a mental health app is through subscription plans. Users can sign up for a monthly or yearly subscription to access premium features and resources. Another option is to offer a freemium model, where users can access basic features for free and pay for additional premium features.

To create a mental health app, you will need a team of developers to design and build the app and mental health professionals to contribute content and resources. Marketing the app and building a user base will also be important for the business's success.

Overall, a mental health app can be a meaningful and profitable business venture for those who are dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of others.

How much you can make: $19,998 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,499 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

I Created An App To Reduce Screen Time & It Just Hit $20K MRR

Minimalist Phone, a phone app that helps people prioritize their mental health by discouraging screen time, generated $20,000 monthly revenue from an initial investment of $3,100, with an estimated total of 500,000 downloads on Google Play soon.

Read by 8,832 founders

7. Start a mobile yoga business

Are you a passionate yogi interested in entrepreneurship? Teaching others how to do yoga safely and regularly can be a profitable business.

Most yoga teachers start with a 1:1 class before launching group classes for yoga enthusiasts. However, with more people becoming busier, creating a mobile classes business has become the trend. To start your business, identify a niche and pitch them on the importance of learning yoga. An active online presence and sharing videos on social media will help your business thrive.

How much you can make: $6,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How I Started A Mobile Yoga Studio

Chakra5 is a mobile wellness team that generates $6k per month doing yoga/meditation/pilates classes, vegan cooking classes and sound baths on demand, boasting a strong online presence to attract and retain customers while also using free tools to keep monthly business costs below $100.

Read by 11,996 founders

8. Start a weighted blankets brand

Are you looking for a unique business idea to help people feel calm and relaxed? A weighted blanket brand might be the perfect fit for you!

Weighted blankets are a popular therapeutic tool that uses deep pressure touch to provide comfort and security. They can be especially helpful for individuals with anxiety, ADHD, or sensory processing disorders.

Starting a weighted blanket brand requires research and planning, but it can be fulfilling and profitable. First, you’ll need to decide on the type of blankets you want to offer. Options include different sizes, weights, and materials such as cotton, Minky, or fleece. You’ll also need to choose a reliable supplier and determine your pricing strategy.

Next, you’ll need to consider your marketing and sales strategy. This could involve setting up an online store, attending trade shows, or partnering with retailers. You’ll also want a solid social media presence to connect with potential customers.

Finally, don’t forget about customer service! Providing excellent service and support to your customers will help you stand out in the market and build a loyal customer base.

Starting a weighted blanket brand requires dedication and hard work, but it can be a rewarding and lucrative business idea. If you’re passionate about helping people feel more comfortable and relaxed, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

How much you can make: $50,000 — $416,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Selling Weighted Blankets From Bali

Baloo Living, a Bali-based wellness company founded in 2018, saw incredible success in its first year, reaching six and seven-figure sales figures within just three and 12 months respectively by offering a high-quality, thoughtfully-designed weighted blanket.

Read by 12,489 founders

9. Build a medical app

Medical apps are an integral part of any physician’s practice. Doctors need access to the latest reference materials and advances in healthcare technology. You might have a lot of medical experience, but creating a medical app can be daunting if you don’t know about coding and app building.

The medical apps market is expected to reach $314.60B in 2028. The healthcare industry is sacrificing billions of dollars annually on paperwork, filing, and an inefficient system for sharing patient information. With today’s technology, healthcare professionals can streamline this process and will be able to keep track of their patient’s records through a secure information system.

How much you can make: $100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

Leveraging My Experience As A Doctor To Create A Digital Health App

Conduct Science founder Shuhan He co-founded Qolty, a digital health software that tracks health and patient symptoms and provides electronic surveys for patients with geofencing capabilities installed on a patient's phone, used by practitioners at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and shows promise with a 50% year-on-year growth target.

Read by 7,221 founders

10. Start a skin care product line

The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.

The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.

How much you can make: $300 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How Two Moms Started A Business Selling Homemade Body Butter

Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.

Read by 34,852 founders

11. Start a planner brand

Looking for a niche that blends creativity with organization? Consider launching a planner brand. This business idea centers on designing and selling customizable planners that help people manage their schedules and goals.

Your venture would begin by developing a unique planner concept, sourcing materials, and selecting printing options. Once your designs are ready, you'll need to identify your target market—be it students, professionals, or fitness enthusiasts.

The beauty of starting a planner brand lies in the growing demand for personalized planning tools. You can diversify by offering digital versions, stickers, and related accessories.

While it demands an eye for design and a knack for marketing, the return is the satisfaction of filling a market need with products that help people organize their lives more effectively.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $50,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $12K/Month Business Selling Productivity Planners Online

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

Read by 64,289 founders

12. Start a therapy business

Therapists are professionals licensed to help patients cope with mental and emotional challenges. A therapist listens to the client's challenges and works with the client in developing a plan to confront the challenges and achieve an improved life.

If you plan to become a therapist, you should consider what type of therapy you wish to provide. Then, earn the necessary certifications and licenses to practice.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

How I Make A Living As A Professional Cuddler

Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.

Read by 16,833 founders

13. Start a natural health product business

A natural health products business covers many products, including foods, supplements, drinks, and weight management products. Typically, natural health products go into the production of drugs.

It is easy to imagine why you would want to start your own natural health products business. First, health and wellness are hot topics right now. Everyone wants to be happy and healthy regardless of background, culture, or economic status. Second, the natural health products industry will exhibit a CAGR of 5.3% and reach over 32 billion in the next few years.

Therefore, the natural health products business can be a profitable venture. To maximize profitability, focus on providing health products that solve the problems experienced by your target customers.

How much you can make: $35,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Created A $30K/Month Greens Superfood Powder Supplement

SuperGreen TONIK's founder developed a greens powder supplement with 38 superfood nutrients, adaptogenic herbs, vitamins, and minerals that achieved $250k in sales in its first year and is looking to hit 7-figures in its second year, thanks to transparency, repeat customers, and focusing on fewer, properly dosed ingredients.

Read by 15,909 founders

14. Start a woodworking business

While many see woodworking as a hobby to pass the time, it is a profitable blue-collar business with growth potential. If you are skilled, passionate, and looking for a blue-collar side hustle, consider starting a woodworking business.

Starting a woodworking business allows you to work from home. Besides, you can scale the business easily and enjoy unlimited earning potential. Some opportunities you can go for include building custom wood pieces, teaching others about woodworking, starting a woodworking blog, and flip furniture.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $40,001/month

How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

Read by 59,647 founders

15. Become a painter

Becoming a painter is more than earning a living; it's about creating your own art and enjoying the freedom of working for yourself.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $160,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 130 days (?)

How I Turned My Hobby For Painting Into A Successful Art Business

Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.

Read by 53,368 founders

16. Become a therapist

Imagine facilitating human growth, empowerment, and healing daily - that is the reality of being a therapist. Therapists provide a safe, confidential space facilitating emotional healing and personal development. You could specialize in areas like marriage counseling, trauma therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy, tailoring your practice to your skills and interests.

While the path to becoming a therapist demands substantial dedication - typically a master's degree and supervised clinical experience - the rewards are manifold. Beyond the financial gain, therapists derive satisfaction from seeing patients make strides overcoming difficult periods, mending relationships, and enhancing their lives.

If you're a good listener, compassionate, and genuinely interested in helping people navigate through life's complex maze, this could be your calling. The demand for therapy services is continually rising, reflecting an increased societal focus on mental health. As a therapist, you will not only build a sustaining business but also play an imperative role in enhancing community wellbeing.

How much you can make: $20,000/month

How A Therapist Increased Her Income Creating Products

A licensed mental health counselor increased her income by creating Coping Skills for Kids, which now has a gross revenue of approximately $10,000 per month, from selling products such as the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook and the Coping Cue Cards that help children manage stress, anxiety, and anger.

Read by 14,650 founders

17. Start a nootropics brand

In a world increasingly geared toward productivity and cognitive enhancement, launching a nootropics brand hits the zeitgeist.

Nootropics are supplements aimed at improving cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and mental clarity. Your role would involve formulating effective, safe products, ensuring quality control, and meeting regulatory standards.

Given the rising focus on mental well-being and productivity, this market presents ripe opportunities. You'll need to research potent ingredients, collaborate with manufacturing partners, and build strong branding to stand out.

It's not just about selling pills; it’s about providing genuine value to your customers’ mental acuity. If you’re passionate about health and wellness and keen to delve into a burgeoning market, starting a nootropics brand could be a fulfilling endeavor.

How much you can make: $3,500/month

How We Launched A $3.5K/Month Brand Of Nootropics For Women

Siblings launch female-focused nootropic supplement brand, Fredi, which earned $3.5k in sales in its first month, targeting busy women with natural ingredients and a message of holistic wellness.

Read by 8,818 founders

18. Start a gym

Over the last decade, more people across the globe have become self-aware of the importance associated with living a healthy lifestyle.

As a result, the gym has become a trend for millions of people, leading to a rapid increase in the size and popularity of the global fitness industry. According to statistics, the global fitness club industry is worth over $96 billion.

Therefore, starting a gym could be a great business opportunity.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $1,200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

How I Started A $60K/Month Personal Training Company

Live Fit, a personal training company founded in 2011, grew from earning $80,000 in their first year with two trainers to earning over $760,000 in 2019 with 12 trainers and two locations, thanks to a focus on building trusting relationships and providing a variety of services to clients.

Read by 8,577 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.