Hiya Mental Health Fair at Omaha Burke Draws 350+ Students, Powered by Youth Leadership

More than 350 students gathered inside the Trophy Hallway at Omaha Burke High School on May 1 for a student-led mental health fair organized by Alejandra Wells, founder of Hiya (goshophiya.com).

Held during school lunch periods, the event connected students with local mental health resources, peer-led volunteer activities, and opportunities to engage in conversations around well-being. The fair was developed in collaboration with a school psychologist from Omaha Public Schools, who served as a point of contact alongside Wells to help coordinate logistics and ensure appropriate support was available throughout the event. 

In the weeks leading up to the fair, 10 students from Burke High School’s Mental Health Club assisted with promotion and outreach efforts, helping to increase awareness and student participation.

Several Omaha-based organizations participated in the event, providing information and engaging directly with students. Participating groups included Boys Town, The Kim Foundation, Methodist Health System, Inclusive Communities, and Omaha Teen Center, in addition to therapists and school psychologists from Omaha Public Schools.

“I was honestly blown away by the turnout,” said Wells, 18. “To see hundreds of students show up, engage, and support each other in such a real way, it just reinforced that this work matters and that young people are ready for these conversations.”

At the Hiya booth, more than 200 student volunteers participated in assembling components for Hiya Care Kits by writing handwritten notes and messages of encouragement. The kits are designed to provide peer-to-peer support through affirmations and mental wellness tools for young people. 

Each year, goshophiya.com gets more than 200 requests for the care kits from teachers, parents, youth, and community leaders who are seeking accessible, youth-centered resources to support mental health conversations, provide comfort during difficult moments, and create spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and not alone. 

The activity was supported in part by Hiya’s recent award through the Hershey’s Heartwarming Project Grant, administered by Youth Service America in partnership with The Hershey Company. The grant is intended to expand youth-led service initiatives focused on mental health and community care. 

Organizers said the event reflects a growing emphasis on youth-driven approaches to mental health awareness, particularly in school settings where peer engagement can play a critical role in reducing stigma and increasing access to resources.

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Photos courtesy of Jonah Strominger.