Self-Care Shirts, a rising mental health apparel brand, is revolutionizing how we think about self-care and emotional healing. Founded by Alyssa Ostroff, a designer with a deep understanding of therapy and personal growth, the brand is dedicated to creating thoughtful, affirmation-based apparel that reminds individuals of their strength, resilience, and worth. Through a series of designs that reflect Ostroff’s own healing journey, Self-Care Shirts aims to provide more than just clothing—it offers powerful messages that encourage mental well-being and spark important conversations.
The story behind Self-Care Shirts is rooted in a period of transformation and personal hardship. In April 2025, after losing her federal design job, Ostroff found herself at a crossroads. Instead of allowing this setback to define her, she decided to turn her grief and uncertainty into a source of creative expression. Drawing from her decade-long experience in therapy, she began designing shirts that reflected her personal journey of healing, self-discovery, and the strength found in vulnerability.
“I created Self-Care Shirts to offer more than just a product—I wanted to create a tangible reminder of how powerful it can be to prioritize our mental health,” Ostroff explains. “Art gave me a space to process my emotions, and now I want to offer that space to others.”
Each design from Self-Care Shirts is rooted in an affirmation or a message that serves as a reminder of personal growth. From phrases like “Rest Is Productive” to “Make Your Therapist Proud,” these designs are not just words on fabric—they are powerful statements about the importance of mental health. By wearing them, customers are not only embracing their own healing but also encouraging those around them to engage in meaningful conversations about mental wellness.
Self-Care Shirts isn’t just about wearing a message—it’s about making the invisible visible. The brand’s goal is to make mental health discussions more normalized, to challenge the stigma surrounding emotional struggles, and to promote a culture where healing is celebrated. Ostroff’s designs reflect her commitment to these values, combining creativity with a deep sense of purpose to create apparel that serves as both a personal affirmation and a tool for raising awareness.
“Self-care is not selfish. It’s a vital part of life,” Ostroff emphasizes. “Sometimes it looks like therapy, sometimes it looks like rest, and sometimes it looks like wearing a t-shirt that reminds you how far you’ve come.”
The brand’s reach extends beyond just apparel. Ostroff is dedicated to using Self-Care Shirts as a platform for giving back. Ten percent of all profits from the brand go to the 988 Crisis Lifeline and The Trevor Project, supporting those in crisis and providing critical resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals. This commitment to community care aligns with the brand’s ethos of promoting inclusivity and advocacy, ensuring that each purchase helps fund the services that provide vital support for individuals in need.
Self-Care Shirts has quickly become a favorite within the mental health community, offering an empowering way for individuals to express their emotional journeys. Customers, many of whom have faced their own struggles with mental health, have shared how the designs serve as affirmations that help them feel seen, understood, and validated.
“I wear these shirts because they give me the opportunity to express my mental health journey in a way that feels authentic to me,” says one satisfied customer. “They’re not just shirts—they’re conversation starters, and they help me feel less alone.”
As the brand continues to grow, Ostroff remains dedicated to fostering a community where mental health is openly discussed and normalized. Self-Care Shirts has proven that self-care and mental health advocacy can be seamlessly woven into everyday life through design, making it easier for individuals to embrace their emotional well-being as part of their identity.
“I want to create a world where mental health is something we talk about just as freely as any other aspect of our well-being,” says Ostroff. “Self-care isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity.”
For more information on Self-Care Shirts, to browse the collection, or to learn more about the brand’s commitment to mental health advocacy, visit Self-Care Shirts. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Through empowering designs and a commitment to mental health advocacy, Self-Care Shirts is helping to reshape the conversation around self-care, offering a powerful reminder that taking care of yourself is essential—and that healing is something we can wear with pride.
