We’re a collective of young adult advocates, mental health champions, creatives, and allies on a mission to transform how the world sees and talks about mental health. Our goal: reach and educate 1 million young adults in 3 years.

Hallel Abrams Gerber

Hallel is a sophomore at Brown University, where she studies the intersections of adolescent psychology and education. She currently works with Brown’s Cognitive and Psychological Sciences department and spent her summer conducting research at the Sarah Lawrence Affective Psychophysiology (SLAP) Lab. With plans to pursue a career in neuropsychology, Hallel brings both scientific insight and lived experience to her mental health advocacy. She has spent several years working across various advocacy roles, committed to bridging research with real-world impact.

Masooma Batool

Masooma is currently studying Clinical Psychology and is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy, particularly among youth and marginalized communities. Through both personal and professional experiences, she has developed a strong understanding of how trauma, addiction, and emotional challenges affect young people. She has led multiple mental health programs focused on advocacy, outreach, and community healing. Masooma is committed to breaking stigma and creating safe, expressive spaces where mental well-being is recognized, supported, and prioritized.

Brandon Bond

Brandon Bond, LLMSW-Macro, MPH, CHES, CNP, is the Mental Health & Well-Being Program Manager for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan. In this role, he leads college-wide initiatives to advance public mental health and foster long-term systemic well-being. As a Professional Mental Health Public Speaker with Active Minds, Brandon delivers impactful talks and workshops focused on multicultural mental health and men’s well-being.

As a former Advisory Council Member for Active Minds and MTV Entertainment, he co-developed the national digital campaign A.S.K.: Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch, which teaches youth how to support peers facing mental health challenges. His advocacy extends to the national level, where he worked on peer support policies through Mental Health America’s first Youth Policy Accelerator and now advocates for poverty and global health solutions as a RESULTS Fellow.

Hans Christian Coendana

Guided by the belief that “everyone has a right to happiness,” Hans is deeply committed to youth empowerment and mental health advocacy. As the co-founder of KRS-an, an Indonesian-language podcast, he leads efforts to expand equitable access to mental health education and encourages open, honest conversations about the issues that matter most. Through storytelling and dialogue, Hans aims to help others unlock their full potential. He is excited to connect with youth, share his voice, and explore how young people can collectively promote well-being and happiness in their communities.

Ludovica Deo

Ludovica is a youth leader from Italy with a strong passion for youth empowerment, inclusivity, and creating safe spaces where mental health can be openly discussed. She finds grounding in music and travel—two outlets that have helped her reconnect with herself and explore new perspectives. Through her experiences, Ludovica has witnessed the power of honest dialogue and is committed to making open, supportive conversations a norm for young people worldwide.

DeKeitra Griffin

DeKeitra Griffin is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and PhD student at Louisiana State University’s School of Social Work. He is deeply committed to mental health advocacy, particularly for marginalized communities affected by HIV, trauma, and stigma. Drawing from his own lived experiences as a survivor of date rape, intimate partner violence, homelessness, and living with HIV, DeKeitra brings a powerful and compassionate voice to his work. He is dedicated to advancing inclusive, trauma-informed care systems that truly meet the needs of those too often left out of traditional support structures.

Mercy Haub

Mercy is a Seattle-based junior at Stanford University, studying Human Biology. A cancer survivor who has faced her own mental health challenges, she credits her close-knit family of six and her supportive friends for helping her through. Now on the other side of those difficulties, Mercy feels energized and grateful, and more equipped than ever to support others on their journeys. In a time when mental health and wellness have become urgent issues for youth, she is committed to driving change. She believes that youth voices, youth-led spaces, and youth-driven action are key to building a healthier, more supportive future.

Joyceline Kwarko

In her role as Impact Coordinator with the AFS Youth Assembly, Joyceline supports youth-led projects, community engagement, and global impact initiatives. Inspired by her own experiences, she is deeply passionate about mental health and committed to breaking stigma, amplifying youth voices, and creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and supported. Through her work, she continues to explore storytelling as a powerful tool for awareness, advocacy, and lasting change.

Lena Lewerenz

Lena is currently studying International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. She has previously volunteered with the AFS Youth Assembly, supporting efforts to foster cultural exchange and empower youth as changemakers. Passionate about the critical role young people play in addressing global challenges, Lena is committed to advancing youth-led solutions and cross-cultural understanding.

Henry Lliguicota-Lema

As a first-generation Latino, Henry is deeply passionate about advocating for youth mental health—particularly for men and communities of color. His journey began after navigating personal struggles and trauma with the support of free university resources, including therapy. That experience empowered him to speak openly about his challenges and support others in doing the same. Since then, Henry has been actively involved in youth advocacy and peer education, furthering his commitment to building inclusive, stigma-free spaces where all young people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Karoll Marroni

As a first-generation Latina, Karoll found her passion for advocacy through her studies in political science and her involvement with organizations such as the Peace and Justice Institute and the National Organization for Women. Her work with Poder Latinx and as a Research Associate at Equis reflects a strong commitment to civic engagement, Latino empowerment, and issue-based advocacy. Karoll is also deeply passionate about mental health, recognizing the urgent need to destigmatize mental health within marginalized communities and expand access to vital resources for those who need them most.

Esraa Rashwa

Esraa is an educator and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy and transformative education. Growing up in Egypt, she witnessed firsthand how stigma and harmful cultural narratives can impact mental well-being. Her personal journey with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) became a catalyst for healing, learning, and speaking out—not only for herself but for others who may feel unheard. Esraa is dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces for reflection, growth, and empowerment through education and storytelling.

Jaweriya Tasneem

Jaweriya Tasneem is a Literature major with a deep curiosity about the human mind. She views the mind as vast and complex—much like the universe itself—a perspective that fuels her passion to become a psychologist. Jaweriya is especially interested in helping young people explore their own “inner universe,” fostering greater self-awareness, personal growth, and emotional well-being.