We Won’t Stop Until We Make a Difference!
CEO & Founder
CTO
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always struggled with my mental health. When I got my first taste of alcohol at an early age, I knew it was going to be a problem. Over time, both progressed rapidly and increasingly worse.
I am a recovered chronic alcoholic, addict, and compulsive gambler but I am not limited to these addictions. As I say, if you gave me a few sticks and stones, I’d find a way to become addicted. Between many interventions and treatments, I have relapsed again and again. What’s the result? Complete chaos. Along with hurting those around me.
I’ve been diagnosed with quite a variety of mental illnesses throughout my life. Although experts have had contradicting opinions, one thing is for sure, I have suffered extremely.
I’ve had multiple attempts to end my life. The truth is, I’m not sure why or how I am here today.
Due to this endless and painful struggle, I have become obsessed with doing whatever it takes to help even that one person. This app has given meaning to my confusing existence. I won’t stop until I have given all I have to make a difference.
Fortunately, today I am in recovery and do not suffer anymore with my mental health.
James receiving rTMS treatment at instituto de Dr.Scheib, Mallorca
I’ll never forget the day the idea came to me. Not just because I was ready to take my life, but because of the hope that filled the enormous void. Having no reason to be here had transformed into a dream. A dream of making change. From that point until today, I never looked back. I swore to myself that no matter what happened, I wouldn’t end my life until this app was in another person’s hand.
I had no clue how to make this happen but knew I would, even if it took a lifetime. I started telling people about the idea when I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital the next day. The nurses, psychologists and more importantly the patients, loved the idea. I began emailing anyone I could think of for help.
Enter Social Entrepreneurs Ireland – an organisation that not only believed in Pleaze but me as a person. I was accepted into the Ideas Academy in 2021 and began exploring how I was going to make this a reality.
In October 2022, We launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. 70 generous people backed us and we raised €2,650!
As you can probably tell, it has been a while since I came up with this idea, a little over 3 years. I’ve battled in these years horrifically. Pondering whether to give up or not and I was scared that if this failed, I wouldn’t have a reason to live.
With all that said, I’ve never been better. I am in a space to do this. I am ready to take Pleaze where it needs to go. I sincerely hope you get something from this app, even if it is just hope. I am always here for anyone, there isn’t much I haven’t seen or heard so don’t be shy. If you need anything, I don’t care how big or small… I’m just a message away.
With never-ending love,
James Lewis.
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