About Nexus

Want to know what Nexus is all about? Learn about its goal, mission, uniqueness, etc..

Nexus: Your One-Stop Shop for Mental Health

Imagine a world where every student has access to trusted, reliable mental health support, right at their fingertips. This is the vision behind Nexus, a groundbreaking online platform designed to revolutionize how we address youth mental health needs. Introducing Nexus, an online platform designed to empower students with self-management tools for mental well-being. It offers a variety of resources (videos, peer talks, coping strategies) through a user-friendly app and website. By increasing access to support and reducing stigma, Nexus aims to lessen the burden on counselors and equip students to proactively manage their mental health. Unlike other hubs, Nexus is unique because it offers 360 degrees of support, including the self-help strategies and information, but also in-person human connection support through resource fairs, support groups and peer 2 peer talks, bringing the idea of community in the mental health journey for youth. It also provides continuous mental health support, rather than just a day or monthly focus, so students can learn mental health strategies and build their resilience for everyday.

Enhancing Youth Mental Health Support: Why It Matters

Research shows that a significant portion of youth struggle to access mental health resources. There are four major hurdles young people face:

Barriers: Stigma surrounding mental health is a significant issue, with one-third of youth reported to hold negative views.
Lack of Resources: There's a shortage of school counselors, with a single counselor often responsible for over 600 students. Additionally, therapy can be expensive.
Resource Overload and Isolation: The sheer number of available resources can be overwhelming, and feelings of isolation can further hinder help-seeking behavior.
Limited Access: As a result of these challenges, a staggering 60% of young people with depression lack proper mental healthcare.

Nexus: A Unique Approach to Youth Mental Health

Nexus goes beyond simply offering online resources. It fosters human connection by promoting mental health awareness events like fairs and talks within schools.

Nexus is unique for its holistic approach to youth mental health support. Nexus stands out with its 360-degree support system, combining online resources with mental health fairs to address the diverse needs of young people beyond traditional platforms, especially in schools where teens face the most barriers. It’s important to “Meet them where they are at.” There’s the information, but also what makes the Nexus unique is that it promotes further human connection, like bringing mental health support through fairs, talks, etc… Why schools? Because schools are where teens face the most barriers, need the most support, and already have existing connections. Nexus aims to integrate seamlessly into this existing system, reaching a wider audience and making a lasting impact on countless lives. And implementing it only for schools, makes it unique when compared to any other mental health or behavioral health hub.

As seen on

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Pilot Launch Video

Nexus Has Been Launched In...

Nexus for Northshore School District

Nexus for Lake Washington School District

Nexus for Kenmore

Nexus for Bothell

How-To Use Guide

Origin Story of Nexus

"Nexus" - connection/linking of things

Hi everyone! My name is Taanvi Arekapudi, a 10th grader and the founder of Nexus: Mental Health Hub for Schools. The idea for Nexus sparked when I was sharing my experiences. I wrote the international bestseller Uplift Teens Today and created the Emotion Cards deck. Sharing my story, mental health challenges, strategies, and the Emotion Cards with other teens, I saw a real connection. They appreciated the help!

But there was a yearning for more. Students craved continuous support, a sense of connection with others, and access to trustworthy information. This wasn't limited to my own school. Students across districts, nationwide, and from diverse backgrounds echoed these needs. They yearned for a constant source of support, reliable resources, and the opportunity to connect with peers facing similar challenges. Their voices ignited an idea! A mental health hub felt like the perfect answer. The word "Nexus" resonated because it means "connection," and that's exactly what I envisioned. This hub would improve youth mental health support by breaking down barriers, increasing access, and amplifying the voices demanding change.

Building Nexus wasn't a solo mission. A UI (user interface) expert incorporated teen ideas into the design. This "made by youth, for youth" approach resonated deeply. Through pre-launch focus groups, peers expressed how Nexus could revolutionize their mental health journey. Their excitement fueled our passion.

Nexus is more than just an idea. It's a MOVEMENT. We're empowering teenagers to support each other, building a future where mental health resources are accessible and inclusive. This is just the beginning. Join us on this journey!

Want to Learn More?

2025-26 Nexus Youth Board
Exec Team

Taanvi Arekapudi

Founder + President

Hi! I’m Taanvi, a 16-year-old junior in high school, international bestselling author of Uplift Teens Today, and founder of Nexus: Mental Health Hub for Schools, an award-winning, FREE, teen-led platform reaching over 1.2 million students worldwide, with funding from Google. As an Irish-born, Indian-American advocate, I use my voice to transform mental health support in schools, creating spaces where every student feels seen, heard, and supported. My work has been featured on FOX, CBS, CNN, and The Seattle Times, and has been recognized with national honors.

Bhavya Kottapalli

Focus Group + Research Team Leader

Hello, my name is Bhavya Kottapalli. I am a high school junior passionate about neuroscience, mental health advocacy, and the intersection of technology and medicine. I have volunteered in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, lead youth wellness initiatives, and conduct research on stroke prediction and seizure detection using machine learning. At Nexus, I serve on the Executive Team, where I lead the Focus Group + Research Committee to amplify youth voices and drive data-informed solutions for community impact.

Neel Khilnani

Social Media + Storytelling Team Leader

My name is Neel Khilnani, and I am a sophomore at North Creek High School (NCHS). I am currently serving as the Social Media & Storytelling Executive Team Representative for Nexus. Outside of Nexus, I’m the Treasurer of my school’s Science Olympiad team and the Secretary of both Band Council at NCHS and the nonprofit Student Music Initiatives. I’m passionate about mental health, engineering, music, and history, and I hope to use those interests to uplift youth voices and raise awareness about mental health!

Arabella Porter

Event Planning + Outreach/Launching Team Leader

Hello! My name is Arabella and I am a junior at North Beach high school. I am the North Beach Teens Against Destructive Decisions president, ASB treasure, a swimmer and diver, and I am on track. My whole life I have only wanted to help people and now I have found a wonderful place to do just that at Nexus and make my dream even more of a reality!

Bring Nexus to
Your Community in 3 Simple Steps!

Think Nexus would be a great fit for your community? Let's get it there!

2025-26 Nexus Youth Board

Joel Bijoy

My name is Joel Bijoy, and I’m a junior at North Creek High School. I play soccer, enjoy filmmaking and editing, and I like putting together highlight reels and creative projects. When I’m not on the field or behind a camera, I’m probably at Taco Bell.

Ishaan Bhattacharya

My name is Ishaan Bhattacharya, and I'm a sophomore at Inglemoor High School who is heavily motivated to learn more about mental health, and help people who are struggling. I am a part of the UW Forefront Program at my school to help people know what to do if they, or someone they know are thinking about suicide. I want to help reduce the negative stigma around mental health, and that's one of the many reasons I'm incredibly excited to work in Nexus.

Ayaan Rizvi

I’m Ayaan Rizvi, and I am part of the Social Media + Storytelling Committee, where I get to connect with others and work together to better the world. I care deeply about making a positive impact and supporting people who might be going through tough times. Currently, I’m working on developing my social skills so I can be a more effective motivator and someone people feel comfortable turning to.

Eric Dodd

My name is Eric Dodd, and I'm a sophomore at Lake Washington High School, and a passionate advocate for mental health of all kinds. Most notably, I've worked with NAMI, the City of Kirkland, King County, and more to champion efforts in areas such as access to behavioral healthcare, or simply aiming to expand recourses and destigmatize mental health. I'm honored to be a part of the Nexus team, and I hope to continue to help give a voice to the voiceless. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, lifting weights, and playing all sorts of music.

Dhaani Pohuja

My name is Dhaani Pohuja, and I am a senior at Tesla STEM High School. I am co-president of my school’s mental health club and a NAMI Youth Ambassador. I am passionate about mental health education and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Kavya Mohanasundaram

My name is Kavya Mohanasundaram, and I am a junior at North Creek High School. I am passionate about mental health advocacy, research, and leadership, and I strive to create positive change in my community through service and awareness initiatives. In my free time, I enjoy skiing and spending time with my family and friends.

93B71A51-0440-4097-BA6D-EA370E6F3F83 - Johnny Fang.jpeg

Vera Fang

My name is Vera Fang, and I am a junior at Inglemoor High School. As an aspiring psychiatrist, I am passionate about psychology, neuroscience, biology, and education. Through their fascinating intersections, I have built projects and experiences that serve both my communities and own curiosity. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing and dancing.

Maya Dobre

Senior at Tesla STEM High School.

3 Simple Steps to Launch Nexus

Ready to revolutionize student well-being? Now you can — in just 3 simple steps, all under 20 minutes! With Nexus, you'll be up and running in just 2 weeks.

The Nexus team are here to support you at every step — from setup to promotion!