Teen‑Led Wellness App Goes Live in New Mexico
🚀 The Big Move
Navi, a mental‑health app created by teens for teens, opened its doors in New Mexico in 2026 after piloting it in a handful of U.S. cities. The launch was celebrated with a free‑access event in Taos, where the state’s Health Care Authority funded every 13‑ to 18‑year‑old who signed up.
💡 Why It Was Needed
New Mexico’s suicide rates are high, and many rural towns lack nearby counselors. The founders wanted a tool that could reach teens anywhere, regardless of data availability or distance from professional help.
👩💻 The Founders
- Julia Belt – lost her brother to suicide.
- Margaret Hines – husband survived a bridge jump and now advocates for prevention.
- Dr. Jessica Schleider – psychologist researching brief, evidence‑based online sessions for youth.
Together they built an app featuring short activities—breathing exercises, journaling prompts—that teens can use whenever they feel stressed.
⚙️ Design Philosophy
Unlike many apps that rely on chatbots or heavy AI, Navi’s exercises were crafted by mental‑health experts and grounded in research. AI is used sparingly to detect warning signs and direct teens toward crisis help when needed. A personal dashboard lets users track progress and receive gentle reminders.
👥 Youth Advisory Model
The team worked closely with local teens in Taos to shape every detail—from wording to color schemes. This “Youth Advisory Model” ensured that teens had real ownership and saw their suggestions reflected in updates. A Taos teen advisor said:
“When I suggest a change and it appears in the app, I feel like I really matter.”
📈 Early Impact
Feedback shows teens turning to Navi before problems spiral. The app is not a replacement for therapy, but it expands the reach of science‑based support so help can be found right where a teen is—on their phone or tablet.
🌍 Next Steps
The goal is to roll out the same approach across all of New Mexico, offering every teenager an easy way to find comfort and guidance. The founders hope that by providing a trusted tool, they can reduce the number of young people who feel alone or helpless.
