In a world increasingly focused on social impact, few organisations have demonstrated the power of community-driven change like Womn-Kind, the youth wellbeing initiative founded by Ruby Riethmuller. Launched in 2020, Womn-Kind was born out of Ruby's personal experience with the struggles facing young people, particularly young women, in rural and regional Australia. Her vision was simple yet profound: to create a relatable, accessible, and empowering platform that would provide mental health support tailored to the unique needs of young people.

Ruby’s journey highlights the intersection of mental health, investment in community, and the broader potential for long-term impact. As Womn-Kind continues to grow, it serves as a model for investors and social entrepreneurs seeking to support mission-driven initiatives that not only provide immediate support but also offer sustainable solutions for long-term community wellbeing.

The power of peer support

At the heart of Womn-Kind’s model is its peer-led support system, which reflects Ruby’s deep understanding of the challenges young people face. Rather than focusing solely on professional therapy, Womn-Kind has created a space where young individuals can access guidance and support from those who have recently navigated similar struggles. By pairing mentees with mentors aged 20 to 26—each trained in Mental Health First Aid—Womn-Kind fosters an environment built on trust, empathy, and shared experiences.

This approach not only addresses immediate mental health concerns but also contributes to building emotional resilience. Young people who are part of the Womn-Kind community are encouraged to share their struggles, gain practical tools for managing stress, and build stronger emotional foundations for the future.

“We want to create a space where young people can feel heard and supported in a way that feels accessible and safe,” Ruby explains. “The key is making sure they’re not just receiving support but learning the skills to build confidence and resilience that will stay with them throughout their lives.”

This aligns with WIN’s mission to foster confidence, encouraging young people—particularly young women and gender-diverse youth—to understand their worth and take charge of their mental health, just as they take charge of their financial future.

The Womn-Kind app: Bridging the gap

Ruby and her team at Womn-Kind recognised that in many parts of Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas, access to mental health resources is limited. In these communities, stigma around seeking help can create additional barriers to support. To address this, Womn-Kind developed its innovative app, which provides young people with on-demand access to mental health resources, wellbeing exercises, and direct connections to trained mentors.

The Womn-Kind app—launched with the help of a $30,000 prize from the Buy From The Bush Big Break competition—has proven to be an invaluable resource for young people across Australia. It offers a range of features, from body confidence workshops to leadership development courses, empowering users to take an active role in their mental health and wellbeing.

For Ruby, the app isn’t just about providing a tool—it’s about creating a digital community where young people can engage, learn, and grow together, even when they’re physically isolated from others.

“The app allows us to take our mission of mental health support beyond geographical limitations,” Ruby says. “It means young people, no matter where they are, can access resources that speak to their unique experiences and challenges.”

This innovative solution mirrors the way technology can be harnessed to bridge gaps in access and support—creating scalable, sustainable models of wellbeing that can positively impact communities for years to come.

Investing in long-term change

Womn-Kind’s approach to mental health support and community investment demonstrates a crucial lesson for investors: creating long-term, sustainable impact requires not only financial support but a deep commitment to empowering communities.

Just as financial investments in resilient ventures pay dividends over time, investments in mental health, education, and community wellbeing offer long-term returns. Womn-Kind’s model underscores the importance of community-driven solutions—ones that understand and cater to the specific needs of their target audience. Ruby’s vision shows that the most effective way to create meaningful change is to listen, adapt, and engage with those who are most affected by the issue at hand.

For investors and philanthropists, the key takeaway from Womn-Kind’s journey is that impactful investments are not just about addressing immediate needs. They are about creating lasting, scalable solutions that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

“Investing in young people’s mental health isn’t just about providing immediate relief,” Ruby explains. “It’s about equipping them with the tools, confidence, and resilience to succeed in life and to be leaders in their own communities.”

Parallels between mental health and financial investment

The parallels between mental health investment and financial investment are clear: both require a long-term commitment to growth, resilience, and the belief that the return on investment will be realised over time. Like any investment, putting time, resources, and energy into mental health and community-building may not yield instant results—but the payoff is profound.

The lesson from Womn-Kind is that the most impactful change comes when you invest in people. Just as sound financial investments enable individuals to build wealth over time, supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people helps them build the resilience and confidence necessary to navigate life’s challenges.

For WIN, this resonates strongly with the belief that investing in the confidence of women and young people todayleads to a more empowered and resilient society tomorrow—both financially and emotionally. Womn-Kind’s model shows how investing in people and community-driven solutions can create long-lasting change and strengthen the social fabric for future generations.

Empowering the next generation

Womn-Kind exemplifies the type of mission-driven initiative that WIN supports: organisations that combine education, confidence, and resilience-building to create meaningful change in their communities. Ruby’s work reflects the power of youth wellbeing and mental health support as essential elements in creating a society where individuals—particularly women and gender-diverse youth—feel empowered to thrive.

As Womn-Kind continues to grow, it offers valuable insights for anyone looking to make an impact through community-driven investment. Ruby’s story is a testament to the importance of investing not just in systems or products, but in people—the next generation of leaders and change-makers.

“True impact comes when we provide young people with the resources they need to thrive,” Ruby concludes. “Investing in youth today is an investment in our collective future.”

Ruby Riethmuller
Founder
Womn-Kind

Website