Teen Hiya CEO Presents Mental Health Study at International Children's Advisory Network Global Summit in Italy
By Katelyn Fryzek
Alejandra Wells, the innovative 16-year-old mind behind Hiya, a mental health advocacy jewelry line, took center stage last week at the International Children's Advisory Network's 2024 Global Summit in Bari, Italy. Wells' presentation has garnered significant attention from global news outlets and healthcare entities for her impactful work on teen mental health and peer-led initiatives.
Alejandra's research, titled "Bridging the Gap: Teen Mental Health Resources, Peer-Led Advocacy," utilized her business, Hiya, as a case study to explore the effectiveness of peer-led models in improving mental health resource accessibility and reducing stigma among teenagers.
Founded in 2023, Hiya is an online jewelry line with a mission centered on mental health advocacy. Operating under a 'Buy One, Give One' model, Hiya aims to support teens directly and raise awareness of mental health issues through innovative peer-led initiatives such as workshops, group activities, teen talks, poster campaigns, and a newly launched teen magazine.
The study employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, case study analysis, and comparative analysis with traditional mental health services. The primary objective was to assess the impact of peer-led mental health initiatives like Hiya on enhancing resource accessibility and reducing stigma among teenagers.
Key Findings:
Resource Accessibility: The 100 teens surveyed reported higher ease of access to mental health resources through Hiya’s initiatives, citing approachable and relatable content as key factors.
Comfort with Peer-Led Initiatives: A significant 65.2% of teens felt more comfortable with peer-led models like Hiya compared to traditional mental health services, which were often perceived as intimidating.
Advocacy Influence: Participants in Hiya’s programs were more likely to advocate for mental health within their communities, demonstrating the model’s effectiveness in empowering teens.
Traditional Resources: Traditional mental health services were seen as neutral or somewhat useful, with only 16% of teens finding them very useful, indicating a gap in effectiveness.
Engagement: Hiya’s peer-led initiatives showed higher engagement rates among younger children, emphasizing the model's appeal across different age groups.
The study underscores the potential of youth-driven models to effect substantial change in the mental health arena. By focusing on personal experiences and culturally relevant approaches, peer-led initiatives like Hiya can significantly enhance engagement, reduce stigma, and empower youth to advocate for mental health.
The study suggests that future research should investigate the long-term effects of such programs on diverse teen groups and assess their scalability across different regions to determine broader applicability and impact.
Alejandra Wells' research highlights the transformative potential of peer-led mental health initiatives. As traditional mental health services continue to face challenges in accessibility and engagement, peer-led models offer a promising alternative, particularly for engaging and supporting youth.
The summit featured presentations from notable experts, including Maria Duarte from the European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI) and Maria Cavaller Bellubi from EURORDIS. Key sessions were led by Jumo Health, Pfizer, the Pediatric Trials Network (PTN), and the TEDDY Network.
The summit was proudly sponsored by Jumo Health, Novartis, and Pfizer, among other leading healthcare and research organizations.
For more information, visit GoShopHiya.com and explore Hiya’s initiatives, including the 'Check on Your People' campaign and the recently launched 'Hiya The Magazine.'
Katelyn Fryzek, 18, will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a journalism major. She is currently interning for EPIC for Girls’ Girl Talk Sports Marketing Internship and works as a content curator for Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations.