Hey there, let me take you on a journey through my life after hitting 15. Mental health challenges have been a big part of my life, starting as early as sixth grade. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, especially during my time in middle school, where I faced bullying, isolation, and chronic stress.
Back in elementary school, I was always the new kid on the block. Being ridiculed and ostracized was my everyday. But things peaked in fifth grade when the bullying intensified. I became the target for almost the entire 20-student grade, enduring verbal abuse, rumors, and constant humiliation.
By sixth grade, things took a darker turn when I began receiving cruel messages via email. Words like “You will never be loved” and “You don’t deserve anything” took a toll on me, sinking me into a pit of depression and self-doubt.
High school didn’t bring relief but added chronic stress to my plate. It got so severe that it started affecting me physically, forcing me to stay home due to the toll it took on my health. The impostor syndrome crept in, making me feel utterly drained and weak.
Feeling alone in this battle was tough. It’s a relief to know that many other teens face similar challenges, but it’s disheartening when cries for help fall on deaf ears.
According to the CDC, the feelings of hopelessness and persistent sadness among teens have increased by a whopping 40% from 2009 to 2019. When I was in sixth grade, I had no one to turn to. The support I needed then, I provide to myself now.
Let me introduce myself. I’m Anaiah Singh, the teenager behind a game-changing app that redefines how teens handle mental health obstacles.
HeartTalk offers a peer-to-peer platform where teens can share supportive audio messages with each other. It’s like having a comforting voice by your side during tough times, a digital friend offering solace. And my mission doesn’t end there – I aim to inspire others to join the cause by recording their messages, creating a global wave of support.
In just a few weeks, the beta version of my app was downloaded by over 3,500 users.
The heartfelt stories shared by young users resonate deeply. Like the 15-year-old who said: “It was helpful… This is a great idea. It made me cry and brightened my day. I want to share it with my loved ones.”
These impactful stories fuel my commitment to empower millions of teens to never endure hardships alone.
We all have the urge to help others. My goal is to identify these individuals and connect them with teenagers in dire need of support. This app was created not only to aid the millions of struggling teens but also to show my sixth-grade self that help is out there.
Anaiah Singh chronicles her journey as a 15-year-old student in the Bay Area dedicated to enhancing teen mental health through technology. Her app, HeartTalk, is a lifeline for teens facing mental health challenges.
Views and opinions shared here represent the author’s perspective.