We're on a mission to let every young person know that they are not alone.

We're so happy you're here! Welcome to our community.

At Hiya, we believe that teens, when given the right tools, can change the world - but that change starts within.

All items sold at Hiya are centered around mental health awareness and prevention, promote self-care and kindness, and encourage people to build resilience for managing difficult situations by encouraging them to seek coping techniques and help. We all could use a friend.

We strive to empower young people to speak up, be kind, and create a culture of good mental health for their schools and communities. 

The prevalence of mental illness is rising among teenagers worldwide, including the United States. Research shows that one in five teens between the ages of 12 and 18 are affected by a mental health condition that can be diagnosed. 

Depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues top the list of illnesses and disabilities among teens. Suicide ranks as the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. Neglecting teen mental health can have long-lasting impacts, affecting both physical and mental health in adulthood and hindering opportunities for a fulfilling life.

Alejandra, the founder and CEO of Hiya, is a 14-year-old from Nebraska struggling with anxiety and depression. At age 10, test anxiety and panic attacks in school began her battle with mental health. Due to stigma and exclusion, she lacked the ability to communicate her struggles, causing her self-esteem to plummet as she suffered in silence.

In middle school, Alejandra was officially diagnosed for anxiety and depression. Adolescence, with its challenges including adversity, family divorce, peer pressure, social media, academic, and familial expectations, and identity exploration, worsened her mental health and led to negative coping behaviors including self-harm, which were detected early on. 

 With support from counseling, mentorship, faith, and loved ones, Alejandra found ways to manager her struggles. One source of comfort was creating beaded bracelets and giving them to classmates in need of encouragement. Soon, friends and classmates were purchasing and sharing the bracelets.

The bracelets became known as the "Hiya Hope Bracelet" collection, where buying a bracelet supports gifting one to a teen in need of encouragement and the reminder that they are not alone.