At just 16, Alejandra Wells is doing more than designing jewelry. She’s designing a whole new approach to mental health.
At the 2025 ICAN Summit, Alejandra plans to unveil fresh research showing what many teens have always known in their hearts: sometimes, the best support comes from someone your own age.
Research That Reflects Real Life
Alejandra’s latest findings are rooted in lived experience. Her study found:
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65.2% of teens feel more comfortable with peer-led support (like Hiya) than traditional therapy.
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71% follow peers who openly share their mental health journeys.
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82% want society to be more open about mental wellness, and they’re ready to lead the charge.
“Teens want to feel seen, not studied,” Alejandra says. “And Hiya was built to be that mirror.”
Hiya: Not Just a Brand, A Movement
Since launching Hiya The Magazine in 2024, Alejandra has given dozens of teen writers the mic. The magazine dives into everything from navigating AI at school to healing through art and identity, all with a mental wellness lens. It’s storytelling with soul, and it’s resonating nationwide.
Community + Creativity = Change
Hiya’s “Check On Your People” campaign — a teen-designed suicide prevention effort — puts help right where teens are: in school halls, online spaces, and everyday life. Colorful posters, QR-coded resources, and brave conversations are breaking stigma, one friendship at a time.
Youth-Led, Youth-Powered
Through “Teen Talks,” workshops, and brand collabs, Hiya empowers youth to show up for each other. The ripple effect? More schools talking openly, more young people stepping up, and more adults finally listening.
The Road Ahead
With upcoming launches like the Teen Ambassador Program and Youth Advisory Board, Hiya is scaling its impact without losing its heart. And after meeting with Nebraska Senator Margo Juarez this summer, Alejandra’s proving Hiya is more than a project — it’s policy-shifting, community-rooted youth advocacy.
As Alejandra says, “We’re not waiting for permission to care about each other. We’re building the future we deserve.”
Stay tuned. Stay hopeful. And remember, you’re never alone.