Helping Teens Before a Mental Health Crisis
Mind Before Crisis promotes early awareness, inclusive education, and better support for teenagers, especially neurodivergent youth and students from underserved communities.
About Me
My name is Alexa Young
I am a high school senior student, healthcare volunteer, researcher, dancer, and youth leader who is passionate about medicine and mental health.
My interest in teen mental health grew during a medical internship in India. I met young patients whose emotional struggles were often misunderstood or overlooked. That experience helped me understand that physical healing and mental well-being must be supported together.
I have since worked with patients in hospitals and clinics, completed EMT training, supported underserved communities through MEDLIFE, and co-founded UnifiedSTEM for neurodivergent students.
Outside healthcare, I have studied Kathak for more than ten years, earned a Bachelor Degree in Arts, and performed at cultural festivals, Dulles International Airport, and community events.
These experiences taught me how to communicate, lead, and use my voice to advocate for others.
Mission
Helping Teens Receive Support Earlier
My mission is to increase awareness of teen mental health and help communities recognize warning signs before a young person reaches a crisis.
Research Projects
1 / Exploring Earlier Mental Health Detection
Studying how nanotechnology and biomedical innovation may support earlier mental health detection or improve the delivery of mental health medications, under the guidance of Dr.Kristina Lilova, Asst. Prof at Arizona State University.
This research interest grew from my experiences speaking with teenage patients, parents, and physicians during medical internships. I saw how mental health concerns can affect physical recovery and how difficult it can be for families to recognize when additional support is needed.
2 / Light Pollution and Cultural Preservation
Conducted research on how light pollution affects Hindu, Islamic, and Māori traditions in Australia and New Zealand.
My study found that the reduced visibility of the night sky can affect religious practices, cultural stories, spiritual connections, and traditions that depend on the moon and stars.
This project strengthened my research, survey design, data analysis, and scientific writing skills while showing me how environmental change can also affect cultural and emotional well-being.
Leadership
1
UnifiedSTEM Co-Founder
Co-founded UnifiedSTEM and helped bring the organization to my school. We create inclusive STEM activities for neurodivergent students and encourage meaningful collaboration between students of different abilities.
2
MEDLIFE Co-President
Helped establish a MEDLIFE chapter at my school and lead meetings for approximately 50 members. Organized donation drives, volunteer projects, awareness campaigns, and service opportunities focused on improving healthcare access in underserved communities.
3
Model United Nations Director General
Led training sessions, meetings, mentorship programs, and preparations for a school conference serving more than 800 students.
Through mentorship groups and training camps, helped increase female participation by approximately 50 percent and encouraged more underclassmen to become involved.
4
Science National Honor Society Director of Outreach
Coordinated partnerships and STEM nights for elementary and middle school students.Helped support more than ten STEM nights and worked to make scientific activities interesting, welcoming, and age-appropriate.
5
HOSA Events Coordinator
Planned chapter activities, study sessions, competitions, and volunteer events. Brough approximately 50 students to the State Leadership Conference and organized a regional competition for around 70 participants.
Medical Experience
Emergency Medical Technician
Completed intensive medical and trauma training, participated in ambulance rides and sporting-event medical standbys, and served as a team leader for my cohort.
Shymanur Shivshakarappa High Tech Hospital
Rotated through seven medical specialties, observed patient care, learned to use medical equipment, and completed laboratory procedures under the pathology department.
Stone Ridge Family Medicine Internship
Supported front-desk operations, scheduled appointments, created patient cases, answered questions, and helped patients connect with providers.
Medical Shadowing
Shadowed professionals in nephrology and family medicine in clinics and public hospitals.
These experiences taught me the importance of patient trust, communication, and compassion.
Model United Nations Awards
Varsity Letter
HOSA State Finalist
Academic Honor Roll
AP Academic Honors
Academic Honor Societies
Past and Upcoming Events
No events at the moment
Together, we can help teens receive support before they reach a crisis.
Are you a student, educator, healthcare professional, researcher, or community organization interested in supporting teen mental health?
Email: