The 2023-2024National Student Advisory Council
The Work2BeWell National Student Advisory Council is a group of teens dedicated to the Work2BeWell program and its vision of empowering teens to thrive through access to mental health resources, authentic connections with peers and educators and digital platforms for resiliency. The NSAC is committed to making mental health a top priority in schools and communities across the nation through Access, Education and Activation. The council is composed of teens from a variety of backgrounds, schools and states who have a passion for the W2BW vision. NSAC students are selected through a nomination, application, or interview process. The council is organized into three teams based on interest and passion to support and provide input to the W2BW Vision. Each team has student leads who make up the key leadership for that year’s council and serve as liaisons to the program team. Each team is also paired with a Work2BeWell Mentor.
Access Team
Sahasra, Team Lead
Texas
Sahasra (Sa-ha-sra) (she/her) is the team lead for the Access Team of Work2BeWell. She lives in Southlake, Texas and is a senior at Carroll Senior High School. She is an active member of her school’s theater program and student council senator. She has been a part of the organizational team for TEDx Southlake for the past 3 years. In her free time, Sahasra likes to read, practice photography, and play with her dog.
Sahasra Works2BeWell by watching new movies and shows.
Sofia, Co-Team Lead
Maryland
Sofia (So-fi-ah) (she/her) is the co-team lead of the Access Team of Work2BeWell. Born and raised in New Jersey, she moved to Mechanicsville, Maryland before high school. She is a rising junior at Chopticon High School where she is President for both Student Government and Future Business Leaders of America. Outside of school, she is a Public Relations specialist at #ICANHELP, Legislative Affairs Director for her county’s student government, and a LLS Maryland Student Visionary of the Year Candidate. She is an outgoing mental health advocate with focuses on politics, finance, advocacy, and policy.
Sofia Works2BeWell by spending time with her brother and spending time outside.
William, Co-Team Lead
Missouri
William (he/him) is a rising Senior in high school and is serving as a Work2BeWell National Student Advisory Council team co-lead for Access. William lives in Kirkwood, Missouri and is a strong advocate for mental health within his school district. In addition to his positions as an active member of the Mental Health Awareness Committee, member of his Mock Trial team, and president/founder of Student Opportunities Club, William led an initiative with administration at his school to improve student mental health conditions during final exam week. Outside of school, William works to be well by hanging out with friends and spending time with his cat, Stevie.
Jeffrey, Co-Team Lead
Texas
Jeffrey (he/him) is a junior at the Frontier STEM Academy Access team colead!! Jeff is an aspiring filmmaker who creates student film’s in his freetime. Jeffrey runs a mental health based non-profit on the side in honor of his grandfather. Jeffrey works to be well by writing , reading, and sleeping.
Nicole
N/A
Vivian
Washington
Vivian (she/her) is a a member of the Work2BeWell Access Team. She resides in Washington state and is a current sophomore at Lakeside high school. By joining NSAC, she hopes to help impact teenage mental health in a positive way and destigmatize mental health conversations. Currently, Vivian stays active in her community by leading her school’s Medical Society club, competing in the National High School Ethics Bowl, working as a Kumon teaching assistant, and playing on her school’s varsity golf team. In her free time, she enjoys learning new songs on the guitar or going thrifting with friends.
Vivian Works2BeWell by listening to music, going on walks, and spending time with family and friends.
Olivia
Michigan
Olivia (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Access Team. She resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan and attends West Michigan Aviation Academy as a senior. She is currently working toward her Private Pilot License and will have it by the time she graduates. She is currently an Executive Board of Delegates Member for the Michigan Association of Student Council and Honors Society! Last school year she researched and wrote a 15 page paper on mental health effects in dance, as she’s been dancing since she was 2.
Olivia Works2BeWell by going in her basement and dancing, taking a nap, or hanging out with friends and family!
Jorja
Oregon
Jorja (Georgia) (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Access Team. She resides in Sherwood, Oregon and attends Sherwood High School as a current senior. She is currently the Senior Class President as well as an active member in Key Club, National Honor Society, and the Varsity Cheerleading Team. Jorja has spent her high school career advocating for mental health in her community to support her fellow students. She aims for a career in clinical psychology in her future and wants to help students and teens with their mental health on a day-to-day basis.
Jorja Works2BeWell by hanging out with friends, reading, and volunteering in her community.
Germany
Texas
Germany (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Access Team. She is a resident of Dallas, Texas and is a senior at Duncanville High School. She is currently active in a variety of clubs including Youth and Government, Student Council, National Art Honor Society and many more organizations. Germany has spent her high school career challenging herself academically and has been very active in the Texas Association of Student Councils. In her freetime, Germany likes to practice her art and go thrifting.
Germany Works2BeWell by hanging out with her community and listening to music.
Divya
Georgia
Divya (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell access team. She is a resident in Suwanee, Georgia and is a Junior at The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. She is in a variety of different clubs in school including Student council, Medfinity, Digital Media Club, and outside of school activities such as Guide and Uplift which are other mental health organizations. She is on the North Gwinnett Raider team under the AFROTC unit and is working towards being a fighter pilot!
Kayla
Oregon
Kayla (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Access Team. As a junior at Tualatin High School, she is an executive officer for extracurriculars like ASB, Newspaper, Period Club, Work2BeWell, Key Club, FBLA, Tigard-Tualatin Student Union and Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute. Kayla preaches retail therapy and spends unspeakable amounts of money on general admission concerts.
Kayla Works2BeWell by hanging out with her friends and watching the sunset.
Education Team
Hailey, Team Lead
Washington
Hailey (she/her) is a team lead for the education team at Work2BeWell. She was born and raised in Singapore but recently moved to Shoreline Washington where she is a rising senior at Shorewood High School. She is the Vice-President of Competition for her school’s DECA chapter, and hopes to pursue business in college. She joined Work2BeWell to help destigmatize mental health and push educators and families to prioritize mental health above everything else. Besides advocating for mental health awareness, she is passionate about fighting for gun control, environmental justice, and wildlife conservation.
Hailey Work2BeWell by dancing, listening to music, or watching clips of pandas.
Alex, Co-Team Lead
Nevada
Ravali, Co-Team Lead
California
Ravali is a team co-lead for the Work2BeWell Education Team. She is a junior in Valencia High School’s International Baccalaureate program in Southern California. Her passion in youth mental health was a gradual development, but she began to take action after finally facing her own mental health struggles which she had tried to avoid.
As part of Ravali’s youth mental health advocacy, she is part of several mental health organizations like Connect-OC and NAMI California. She is also the operations director of her local non-profit Empower By Hour. Within her district she is a REACH intern who works to provide information and resources to youth regarding wellness and academic support. Within school, she is her Mock Trial team captain, FBLA member and TEDx speaker. Outside her advocacy and school, Ravali enjoys baking, ice skating, reading, binging TV, and deep conversations with her sister or friends. Her future plans are to become a child and developmental psychiatrist while also continuing her advocacy in youth mental health.
Ravali Works2BeWell by either listening to calming jazz or blasting and singing to pop while driving during sunset.
Addison
Washington
Addison (she/her) is a member of Work2BeWell’s Education Team. She is a junior at Kentridge High School in Renton, Washington, but also takes college classes at Green River College as a Running Start student. She enjoys staying active and is involved in a variety of clubs, including the Key Club, Environmental Club, Letters for Rose, Link Crew, Amnesty Club, and serves as board member for the Asian American Pacific Islander Club. She is excited to stand up her school’s first Work2BeWell Wellness Club this year and hopes to activate it at other schools in her district. Outside of school, Addison enjoys playing club volleyball, participating in community theater with Hi-Liners Musical Theatre, and acting in local commercials as a talent with ZT Agency. Addison joined Work2BeWell to help provide useful and accessible tools for youth to manage their mental health and well-being in her community.
Addison Works2Bewell by going on walks with her goldendoodle Nalu, playing the guitar and ukulele, thrifting, and karaokeing with friends.
Taanvi
Washington
Taanvi (TAHN-vee) (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Education team. She is a freshman at Inglemoor High School near Kenmore, Washington, where she recently moved to, originally being in Ireland. She is author of the international Best-Seller, “Uplift Teens Today: Coping Strategies for Mental Health.” And the creator of the Emotion Cards: Unveiling the Power of Emotions, One Card at a Time, Card Deck.
With a deep passion for mental health advocacy, she actively engages in various organizations and initiatives dedicated to supporting youth and promoting mental well-being. This dedication has led her to attend book fairs and media shows (like ABC10, FOX, King5, and more!) to promote her book and spread awareness about mental health. Taanvi’s dedication to mental health advocacy has earned her prestigious accolades, such as the C.P. and Dorothy Johnson Humanitarian Award and the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She has also contributed her voice and perspectives to various organizations, including her role as a representative on her school district’s Student Wellness & Safety Task Force.
In addition to her advocacy work, Taanvi’s commitment to raising awareness about mental health has led her to participate in book fairs and media shows, including appearances on ABC10, FOX, King5, and more. She is an active member of the Work2BeWell National Student Advisory Council, a dedicated member of the Advocacy Team for Free2Luv, and a volunteer/ambassador for the Mindspring Mental Health Alliance. Taanvi is also involved with Youth MOVE National, amplifying youth voices and promoting mental health and well-being. She is the Washington Health Care Authority Youth and Young Adult Continuum of Care (YYACC) Youth Lead, and the Family Youth & System Partners Round Table (FYSPRT) KC3 Co-Youth Tri-Lead.
She Work2BeWell’s by spending time playing board games with her family and playing tennis.
Hayden
Texas
Hayden (she/her) is a member of the Education team at Work2BeWell! Hayden is a resident of Houston, Texas. She attends Incarnate Word Academy as a senior. She is the Student body president as well as a founder of her school’s SWAT team (student wellness advocacy team). She is also a varsity golfer and National Charity League Chapter Class 24 President.
Hayden Works2BeWell by spending time with friends and listening to music.
Brayden
California
Brayden (he/him) is a member of the Education Team at Work2BeWell! Brayden is a resident of Salinas, California. He attends Salinas High School as a junior, but takes dual-enrollment college classes at Hartnell College as well. He is the President of his school’s Pre-Med club, where they work closely with their local hospital in order to give students opportunities to volunteer and learn more about medical professions and topics. He has served as Class President his Freshman and Sophomore years, but took time off of ASB this year to focus on his own mental health. He is also a part of his school’s Principal’s Advisory Council. Brayden frequently works with the First Tee, a program that inspires future leaders and game changers through the game of golf. Other extracurricular activities that Brayden does at his school include being in Link Crew, being on the golf team, performing in school plays, and being a part of the Mathletics team. Brayden hopes to lift voices in mental health, especially with minorities, and provide safe spaces for those who want to open up.
Brayden Works2BeWell by reading, playing the piano, gardening, and rewatching his favorite shows.
Indiana (Indy)
Washington
Indiana (Indy) (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Education team. She is a senior at Selah High School near Yakima, Washington, where she’s lived her whole life. Indy is currently an intern with the Washington State Board of Education and also serves on her local school board as a student representative. This is also her fourth year writing for her local newspaper, the Yakima Herald-Republic. At school, Indy is president of her National Honor Society chapter, a member of ASB, and an FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl national champion. Indy is passionate about making public policy more human, and she strongly believes that mental health awareness plays a huge role in that.
Indy Works2BeWell by listening to K-pop, writing stories and playing with her goldendoodle, Tillie.
Charli
Connecticut
Charli (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Education Team. She is currently a senior at Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls, Connecticut. Charli is passionate about government and advocacy at the state and local level, and works closely with her state General Assembly to legislate important mental health topics! At school, Charli is President of the National Honor Society where she also serves in state office, and she is involved with educational advisory councils as well as equity boards to ensure equal access to education and mental health care for everyone. Charli is also passionate about robotics and hopes to pursue engineering in college.
Charli Works2BeWell by reading, listening to music, and spending time with family!
George
Idaho
George (he/him) is a member of the Work2BeWell Education team. He is currently a junior at CDA Charter Academy in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. George is a captain on the Post Falls High School swim team, and is a member of the Coeur d’Alene Area Swim Team, where he has been swimming competitively for five years. He is a student representative in his school’s ASB, and tutors other students after school. He believes in equal access to mental health services and abolishing the current disparities in rural communities by raising awareness through education.
George Works2BeWell by swimming, exercising, hanging out with friends and family, and relaxing.
Dominic
Georgia
Dominic (He/Him) is a member of the Work2BeWell Education Team. He is currently a sophomore and Health & Human Services Academy student at Coffee High School in Douglas, GA. He is the Vice President of his school’s FBLA chapter, Secretary for his school’s HOSA chapter, Know Your Worth Ambassador, and Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council Jr. Commissioner. Dominic is a strong advocate for racial justice and mental health awareness, specifically of that in the Black community. He strives to help de-stigmatize mental health in minority communities and build conversations around it.
Dominic Works2BeWell by cooking crepes, hanging out with friends, teaching French & Italian to his community, and immersing himself in literature and extracurriculars.
Lily
Iowa
Lily (she/her) is a member of the Work2BeWell Education Team. She is currently a senior at Johnston High School in Johnston, IA. She is the President of Students4Change (JHS’s mental health awareness/suicide prevention club) and Student Council Class Communications Officer. Lily is an active member of Johnston’s top choir and show choir, while also assisting directors in local choir on the weekends. Lily believes in spreading awareness/de-stigmatizing and giving everyone access to information so that everyone is able to receive help when they need it most.
Lily Proctor Works2BeWell by lifting or running (ran my first marathon on 9/2/23!!), reading mystery novels, watching the sunset/rise and swimming at lakes with friends!
Kamiyah (Miyah)
Washington
Kamiyah (Ka-MY-yuh) (She/Her) is a member of the Education Team. She is currently a Junior at Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma, WA. Kamiyah is passionate about creating a safe space for students to get the help and support they need.
Kamiyah Works2BeWell by going to concerts, hanging out with friends, and writing.
Activation Team
Shreeya, Team Lead
Texas
Shreeya is the team lead for the Activation Team of Work2BeWell. She lives in Southlake, Texas and is a senior at Carroll Senior High School. She is a student council senator for her school’s student council, works to pass sexual assault legislation, and works on feminist research! In her free time, Shreeya likes to read, hang out with her friends, and cook.
Shreeya Works2BeWell by listening to music.
Anjali, Co-Team Lead
Pennsylvania
Anjali (awn-jah-LEE) (she/her) is a team co-lead of the Activation Team at Work2BeWell. She lives in Bedminster, Pennsylvania, and is a Junior at the PALCS University Scholars Program. Mental health advocacy is incredibly important to Anjali because she wants teens, especially, to understand the value of their voices and know that they are never alone.
Anjali absolutely loves engaging in her school and community. You can find her in the pool as a swimmer and on the field as her school’s lacrosse goalie. Outside of athletics, she is involved in, debate team, student council, and as a partner in Unified Sports. Anjali currently serves as Officer at Large in her school’s chapter of Key Club, a Chief Science Officer (a school representative that aims to bridge STEM into the community) as well as the 2023 State President of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils. Anjali is beyond excited to be working on a Statewide Mental Health Initiative to be implemented in schools this coming year through PASC!
Anjali Works2BeWell by admiring sunrises, reading poetry, and spending time with the people (and animals) she loves most.
Rick, Co-Team Lead
New York
Rick (he/him) is a co-lead for the Activation Team of Work2BeWell. He lives in Westchester, New York, and is a senior at Scarsdale High School. He is an avid public health researcher and advocate for comprehensive school mental health systems, youth voice, and youth-centric systems of care. He leads his school’s public forum debate team and mental health awareness club. In his free time, Rick enjoys playing soccer, spikeball, and poker with his friends.
Rick Works2BeWell by listening to music and hanging out with his family.
Hannah
Maine
Hannah is a member of the Activation Team of Work2BeWell. She lives in Lisbon, Maine, and is a junior at Lisbon High School. After dealing with her own struggles as well as losing a close friend to suicide she became very passionate about mental health advocacy in order to help make sure that no one feels like they are alone. She hopes to break the stigma around mental health struggles and help people, especially teens, in talking about and getting help for various mental health struggles.
Outside of the Work2BeWell NSAC, Hannah enjoys engaging in many other activities as well as assisting her community. She is the Vice President of the Key Club at her high school which engages in various service projects throughout her community. She also isa member of her school’s Student Voice and helps create proposals to change various issues around the school. She enjoys volunteering for an organization called Cancer Kids First where she creates cards and care packages for kids battling childhood cancer. She also enjoys dancing at a local dance studio and managing her high school’s field hockey team.
Hannah Works2BeWell by going on long walks, hanging out with friends, journaling, and helping out in her community.
Kiera
Washington
Kiera (Key- Air-Uh), (she/her) is a member of the Activation Team of Work2BeWell. This is her second year on the counsel and she is loving it! She lives in Lake Stevens, Washington, as a dual enrolled student at Lake Stevens High School as a junior and at Sno-isle Tech in the Medical assistant program. She is very passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health and providing mental health resources to everyone. Mental health has a huge impact on her life. Kiera’s struggles as well as friends and family have inspired her to start acting. She has completed 4 years of leadership classes. She volunteers at youth camps in the summer and enjoys spending time with kids. In her free time, she enjoys woodworking, listening to music and spending time with friends.
Kiera #Works2BeWell by spending time with her dog and going on walks to watch the sunset
Gavin
Washington
Gavin (he/him) is a member of the activation team at Providence’s Work 2 Be Well. He currently resides in Olympia, WA and is a junior at Olympia High School. After losing students at his school to suicide, he became passionate on advocating on mental health as a way to help end the stigma behind it and help spark more conversations on personal well-being. He hopes that teenagers across the country should never suffer in silence and thus bridging access to more training for people to be resourceful on resources the community provides as well as being more aware of warning signs and how to help during crisis intervention.
Besides being a part of the W2BW NSAC, Gavin loves engaging in his community. He is a member of the Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) handling legislative writing and action that represents the youth of his state. He also is a part of the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) student voice group which he proudly represents and also enjoys being a part of his local YMCA Youth and Government program.
Gavin Works2BeWell by hanging out with supportive friends, kayaking at Lake Cushman in the summer, and being close with family.
Priti
California
Priti is a member of the Activation Team of Work2BeWell. She lives in Southern California and is attending their last year of high school at Oak Hills High School. Witnessing those in her community and family struggling with mental illness influenced their passion for mental health advocacy. Priti aims to highlight the importance of mental health to teens and adults in her community. They hope that people of all ages can receive access to judgment free care and break the stigma one conversation at a time.
Outside of Work2BeWell’s NSAC program, Priti maintains steady involvement in their community and sustains meaningful connections outside of her local community. Within her community, Priti commits much of her time to volunteer work at food distribution centers and local organizations. She also founded the first Mental Health Awareness Club on her school’s campus during her sophomore year, and has been President of the club since. Priti is also involved in the Give Something Back Scholarship’s Scholar Advisory Board, a national scholarship program for youth with adverse backgrounds.
Priti #Works2BeWell by supporting local bands, hanging out with her cat Binx, spending time with friends and family, reading, and exploring nature.
Vianey (Via)
Texas
Vianey, who goes by she/her pronouns, lives in El Paso, Texas. She’s a senior at Franklin High School and a proud member of the Activation Team at Work2BeWell. Vianey is enthusiastic about volunteering and getting involved in her school. She always makes sure that everyone feels welcome and included. Her passion for helping teenagers with their mental health began when she attended the LEADs Conference in Washington D.C. She fell in love with #Work2BeWell there, and now she’s dedicated to supporting teens with their mental health.
Keren
Georgia
Keren (she/her) is a member of the Activation Team on Work2BeWell from Georgia and loves to go lifting, read, and watch horror movies. She has interned at multiple dermatology clinics and is the project manager of another mental health oriented, student-led organization.
Ayleen
N/A
Alix
Washington
Alix (they/them) is a member of the Activation Team at Work2BeWell. They live in Tacoma, Washington, and are a sophomore at Tacoma Community College. Alix is passionate about community engagement and advocating for underserved populations. Mental health struggles have had left impact on their life through personal experience and watching others’ experiences. After working as an intern within the Oregon legislature and APANO (Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon) to support the needs of AAPI communities, Alix is thrilled to use their skills to help advocate for youth mental health support.
Outside of Work2BeWell, you can find Alix writing loooong research papers for their clinical psychology major, honing their skills as a triple threat (yep, they can sing, act, and dance too), and eating rice.
Alix Works2BeWell by spending time with friends + family.
Sky
Oregon
Sky (she/her) is a member of the Activation Team of Work2BeWell. This is her first year on the counsel and she is really excited to get involved! She lives in Portland, Oregon, and is a junior at Tualatin High School. She also takes dual enrolled classes through Portland Community College and Brigham Young University. She has struggled with mental illnesses starting young, so it has always been a part of her life.
She never had the ability to get help, so being able to be a part of the change of giving people that support is a really important part of her life. She is heavily involved in her school including ASB Treasurer, president of clubs including Key Club, and she is a dual varsity athlete. Being able to assist young adults through their development has given her skills that she is more than delighted to use towards destigmatizing mental health among all ages.
Sky Works2BeWell by playing piano, going thrifting, and exploring nature.
Jayda
Colorado
Jayda is a member of the Activation team for Work2BeWell! She lives in Aurora, Colorado where she is a CHSAA state representative and attends Eaglecrest High School where she is junior class president. However, she grew up in Maple Valley, Washington. She is very passionate about advocating for those who feel as though they are not equally represented. She enjoys having courageous conversations about topics such as mental health, racial injustice, our education system, and many more topics. In her free time, you can find Jayda still at school participating in the many clubs that are offered.
She works to be well by spending time with her friends and family!
