Anya Kawlekar, a high schooler from Robbinsville, New Jersey, is making a strong impact in the world of mental health awareness among young athletes. Her non profit organization, MHAYA (Mental Health Awareness in Young Athletes), has been steadily gaining recognition since its inception in 2022. Remarkably, Anya founded MHAYA when she was just 15, driven by a passion to address the mental health challenges often overlooked in the lives of young athletes.
Anya is an accomplished squash player herself having played the junior US Open Squash championship, US Junior championships (JCT) and Junior Gold championship for several years. During her squash journey she experienced high levels of stress, pressure and expectations which severely affected her athletic performance, focus and decision making on and off the court. This inspired her to read and further research about mental health and raise awareness amongst other young athletes.
In Anya’s words young “children are taught how to handle victories but very few actually know how to handle defeats. Schools don’t talk about nor do many parents. Most young athletes lose interest and end the journey short not being able to handle the mental pressure from parents and peers”
Research has shown the number of athletes struggling with psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, isolation has grown from 17% to 35% in just 2 years.
“My experiences as a nationally ranked player illuminated the pivotal role mental fitness plays in achieving success and has allowed me to understand, first hand, how common this issue exists among young athletes. This piqued my interests in psychology, and I became very intrigued by how the brain functions. In 2022, I started a non-profit organization MHAYA (Mental Health Awareness in Young Athletes) and have been advocating for this cause.”
MHAYA’s mission is simple but very important: Spread awareness and advocate mental well-being amongst young athletes. Anya has been advocating for this cause through social media, podcasts, presentations at local public library events and community fairs, community fund raise walks, and other strategic collaborations. By bringing attention to the mental pressures faced by athletes both on and off the field, MHAYA is helping to break the stigma surrounding mental health struggles in sports.
A significant milestone in MHAYA’s journey was its recent collaboration with the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) at St Paul Minnesota, USA. Over the months of April and May 2024, MHAYA partnered with NYLC following a feature at the prestigious National Service-Learning Conference. This collaboration allowed MHAYA to integrate mental health initiatives into the council’s existing programs, further amplifying their message to a broader audience. MHAYA’s work was also spotlighted on NYLC’s website, marking a momentous step in its advocacy efforts.
In addition to these achievements, Anya was invited to speak on the NYLC’s esteemed podcast, The Power of Young People. During this session, she shared the story behind MHAYA and outlined the organization’s goals, shedding light on the mental health challenges young athletes face and how her initiative is striving to provide them with support and resources.
As MHAYA continues to grow, Anya remains dedicated to expanding her efforts. She is constantly on the lookout for new opportunities to collaborate with other organizations, while also seeking out fresh platforms to share MHAYA’s message. Whether through public speaking, social media features, or partnerships with leading organizations, MHAYA is poised to be a lasting voice in the mental health space for young athletes.
Anya’s story is a testament to the power of youth leadership and the incredible impact one person can have on raising awareness on important issues. With MHAYA, she has created a platform that not only fosters open conversations about mental health but also provides the support and resources needed by athletes struggling in silence. At just 17, Anya’s dedication to mental health advocacy is only beginning, and the future of MHAYA shines bright as it continues to champion the well-being of young athletes everywhere.
To learn more visit mhayaorg.com or @mhayaorg
