Stella McCartney and Chopra Foundation have joined forces to spotlight the Healing Power of Horses – supporting the next generation’s mental health, inspired by her Winter 2023 ‘Horse Power’ campaign and Stella’s admiration for Deepak Chopra’s ongoing work in the mental health space.
The collaboration was rooted in a chance meeting between Stella and Deepak Chopra last year. During this meeting she was immediately inspired to involve herself with The Chopra Foundation and the work it has been doing to support adolescent mental health it was there that the collaboration of Healing Power of Horses was born.
The campaign is guided by Stella’s lifelong love of horses and her observations as a mother, having seen first-hand the impact of the pandemic, technology and current events on the next generation. For example, the number of young people living with depression doubled between 2011 and 2021, with 52.5% of the 17-23 year old reporting their mental health had declined since COVID-19. From her childhood in Scotland through to now, Stella has turned to horses as a source of healing, which is increasingly supported by scientific research.
“My Winter 2023 collection celebrated horses and their healing abilities which is something that has supported me and my mental health for my entire life. We all need a helping hand sometimes, and I wanted to make people more aware of the benefits of equine therapy and connect them to it. I knew Deepak and his incredible foundation were the perfect partners to help carry that message to the world,” said McCartney.
“Equine therapy is a powerful therapeutic modality that works through limbic resonance, epigenetic modulation, and neuroplasticity to to change the neural landscape of the brain for self-regulation, homeostasis, and healing. I am looking forward to building a long-term partnership with Stella McCartney and her team to transform well being,” said Chopra.
The interconnected initiative includes the world’s most extensive equine-assisted therapy directory via the dedicated soon-to-be launched website Healingpowerofhorses.com which serves as an educational and storytelling platform featuring Stella McCartney, Deepak Chopra, therapeutic experts and shared global communities of positive change makers. The dedicated website will raise funds for The Chopra Foundation and equine therapy centers. The campaign also includes a bespoke guided meditation on the Chopra App! So it’s a real 360 approach. Keep an eye out for the launch.
About Equine Therapy
Equine therapy can include the caring for, riding, training, observing and interacting with horses to support a variety of mental health conditions from alcoholism and addiction to depression and disordered eating. Studies have indicated its effectiveness across age groups; adolescents with depression and anxiety have shown a 60% improvement in symptoms after a 12-week programme, while 80% of veterans with PTSD reported a significant reduction in symptoms. Interacting with horses creates a non-judgmental environment for self-expression and has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and decrease stress, whilst improving interpersonal skills, enhancing self-esteem and confidence, and increasing mindfulness and presence.
Alongside this, Stella McCartney will be launching a limited run of up-cycled, vegan Falabella handbag that includes an exclusive ribbon that feature the words “The ride is long but leads you home” of the renowned American poet Cleo Wade who was inspired by this project. The proceeds of the bag will go directly to the Chopra Foundation.
