Gary Payton and Complex’s Aria Hughes Get Real About Mental Health
Soluna, a CalHOPE program, is the all-in-one mental health app for Californians ages 13 to 25.
Life can be challenging. It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you live, or how much money you have; things can get tough. In those moments, talking to someone can be helpful, but sometimes, you don’t want to vent to well-intentioned friends or family. That’s where Soluna comes in.
Soluna provides 13 to 25-year-old Californians with a judgment-free zone to express themselves. No insurance? No problem. The free app lets you explore tools to build your mental health first aid kit — think journaling, breath work, and meditation — get support in a safe community of your peers, or even speak 1:1 with a coach. You can talk to someone right away or schedule a session a few days in advance with one goal in mind: to help you destress and bounce back.
To spread awareness, Complex’s Editor-in-Chief, Aria Hughes, sat with basketball legend Gary Payton for a live taping of Please Explain to discuss the importance of mental health. Taking place during All-Star Weekend at San Francisco’s Terra Gallery, attendees listened to an hour-long conversation about overcoming mental health challenges.
Known as “The Glove” on the basketball court because of his defensive skills, Payton spoke directly to the packed crowd and was honest, charismatic, and engaging. “Don’t be the big tough guy when you need somebody to help you,” Payton said.
You can watch the full episode of Please Explain below.
Legal disclaimer: Soluna is a CalHOPE program powered by Kooth Digital Health and funded by the California Department of Health Care Services. Soluna is not a crisis service. If you need urgent support, call the crisis lifeline on 988.
