ELIF KAYA
TURKEY, 16
Project: One Smile Effect
Basic Human Needs: Education, Health
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Elif saw many of her young peers battle mental health challenges. Social isolation, quarantine and health concerns made young people experience anxiety, loneliness and depression. She wanted to connect young people, support them during challenging times and create a social togetherness while everyone was apart. In April 2020, Elif formed One Smile Effect – Turkey’s first and only youth-led mental health organization. One Smile Effect began as an online platform to foster connection and community, but as Elif engaged with young leaders from around the world, she realized the large gap in mental health awareness and education. She expanded One Smile Effect’s mission to promote mental health awareness and education. Their programs include an informative podcast series on mental wellbeing, an online support group for teens worldwide, a live interactive series with mental health professionals, online newsletters and resources, and social media awareness campaigns. Their newest initiative, Break the Barriers, is a free mental health education and awareness program for high school students, led by student ambassadors. One Smile Effect has directly impacted 2,500 students in 60+ countries, with a growing team of 100+ teenagers from 20+ countries. In the near future, Elif’s hopes to establish Break the Barriers chapters in 50 additional schools. She also plans to collaborate with mental health professionals and government officials to make mental health education mandatory in all of Turkey’s schools. Elif believes that students should have access to mental health resources and information regardless of their background.