Psyche and Cycle Advocates for Women’s Health
Laasya Pedapati is one of 31 million women worldwide who struggle with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). This disorder can have very severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms, both physical and mental, and can be debilitating. Many women with the disorder have had thoughts of suicide, and 34% have even made a suicide attempt.
After learning how little the general public knows about PMDD and how little research has been done on it and other women’s health issues, Pedapati and 3 other young women decided to choose PMDD as their health topic for the Pennsylvania Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competition and won first place. From there, they went on to win 5th place out of over 80 other groups in the international competition. “Our team quickly recognized our passion for working on women’s health issues and decided to create an organization with the purpose of raising awareness for under-researched women’s disorders as well as a broader focus on menstrual health, mental health, social disparities, and stigma,” says Pedapati. And so Psyche and Cycle was born.
Psyche and Cycle is dedicated to addressing the inequities in women’s health, particularly focusing on menstrual health, period poverty, mental health, and under-researched women’s disorders. The organization’s efforts target several demographics, including underprivileged women, students, and young professionals. They provide menstrual products to underserved communities through long-term drives, collaborate with schools to educate students about women’s health, and organize events empowering young women to advance their careers.
One of the very first initiatives was The Sticky Note Project. “We visited our local middle and high school to spread positivity by placing uplifting messages on sticky notes in hallways, classrooms, lockers, and common areas to create a comforting environment for students,” says Pedapati. This campaign alone reached over 1800 students. Their work also includes creating accessible educational resources, such as podcasts and social media campaigns, to destigmatize menstrual health and raise awareness of disorders like PMDD.
Right now, the organization’s biggest challenges are securing nonprofit status and adequate funding. They have been trying to set up drives to collect period products in places such as hospitals, high schools, and libraries, but have repeatedly been denied because they are not officially a nonprofit yet. The young women are also all in high school and college, which means that most of the expenses for the organization come out of their own limited personal funds. Looking ahead, Psyche & Cycle envisions a future where women have equitable access to menstrual health education and resources. The organization plans to host classroom sessions, expand networking opportunities for young women, and collaborate with other nonprofits to amplify their impact. By addressing the socioeconomic and cultural barriers to women’s health, Psyche & Cycle aims to create a world where menstrual health is openly discussed, well-supported, and free from stigma.
To help support a future where women have equitable access to menstrual health education and resources, please visit Psyche & Cycle’s Donation link here.