As they begin their ninth-grade year in Naperville, Illinois, Naisha Hamirwasia, Nitya Jayasankar, and Leya Nair are already contributing to their community with their work on teen mental health. These 14- and 15-year-old neighbors joined forces as Team Shanti to develop a mental health app designed specifically for their peers – other teens.

Their journey began in 2022 when they participated in eCYBERMISSION. They decided to focus on a pressing issue in their school—an increase in mental health challenges, particularly post-COVID – and tackle this problem head-on, a decision that set them apart from other teams.

Initially, Team Shanti envisioned a “Coping Buddies” program where teens could support each other during difficult times. However, due to liability concerns, this idea proved impractical in a school setting. As a result, they pivoted to developing an app, which they named Shanti. The app allowed teens to log their moods and receive personalized coping tips. 

In addition to developing their app, Team Shanti founded a mental health club at their school, the first of its kind in their district. The club, which met monthly, engaged students through workshops and activities on various mental health topics. The goal was to create a safe space for teens to discuss mental health challenges and break the stigma that often prevents them from seeking help. Many teens struggle in silence, fearing judgment or misunderstanding from their peers. Through the club, Team Shanti provides tools and resources to help students manage their emotions and address the misconceptions that hinder them from seeking the support they need.

In 2023, Team Shanti competed in eCYBERMISSION’S regional competition but did not advance to the National Judging and Educational Event (NJ&EE) because their research lacked the data-driven evidence needed to demonstrate a direct correlation between their app and improved teen mental health. Nonetheless, the project was well-received and showed promise for positively impacting the community, particularly the well-being of teens. Despite this setback, their commitment remained unwavering. Their passion and dedication to the issue were evident, leading them to be one of five teams across the country to be awarded the eCYBERMISSION STEM-In-Action Grant, which provided $5,000 in funding to further develop their project and present their findings at this year’s NJ&EE. This grant enabled them to bring the Shanti app to life, making it available on both the Apple and Google Play stores.

Over the course of a year, Team Shanti refined their idea, working on storyboards, designing features and coding their minimum viable product. They also conducted extensive research, interviewing psychologists and mental health professionals to ensure that the app’s science-based tips were effective. The result was a mood-tracking app that not only provides scientifically-backed advice but also includes more relatable, teen-friendly tips—like listening to music or taking a walk—that the team curated from their own experiences.

Team Shanti’s short-term goal is to implement and promote the app within their community, particularly by working with school counselors.

Looking to the future, Team Shanti plans to integrate the original “Coping Buddies” concept directly into the app. This feature will allow users to connect with trained peer volunteers who can offer support when someone is feeling down or isolated. The idea is to create a network within the app where teens can seek help from others their age who understand what they are going through. The team envisions that the app will eventually serve as both a mood-tracking tool and a platform for peer-to-peer connections, where users can engage in real-time conversations with their “Coping Buddies” to navigate difficult emotions together.

Team Shanti is eager to continue their work, speak with counselors about how the Shanti app can be integrated into the school’s mental health resources, and explore new features that will make the app even more effective. Their journey is far from over, and with their dedication and innovative spirit, they are sure to make an even greater impact in the future.

To learn more about eCYBERMISSION, please visit www.ecybermission.com.