Letters to Strangers
Letter exchanges, education, and advocacy program
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the world for ages 15 to 29. To combat this, Letters to Strangers (L2S), the largest global youth-for-youth mental health nonprofit, seeks to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable and quality treatment. Our focus on youth-for-youth mental health education, backed by science and inclusive of marginalized populations, makes our solution unique. For one, we have unique functionalities on our student-designed online letter exchange platform, such as a reward system and journaling option. Currently, we directly impact >35,000 people each year and have chapters in >20 countries
It offers letter-writing to anonymous, fostering empathy and addressing mental health for marginalized youth aged 12-24. Its innovation, resilience, and dedication to mental health ensure inclusivity by providing care for all intersectional identities among the youth globally.
WINNER STATEMENTFor our entire team, hearing about this distinguished award is a great honor. It strengthens our commitment to mental health and empowers us to further our global impact. The prize money will be strategically distributed to support global youth-led peer groups and further our school and community-based educational initiatives, ultimately contributing to our shared vision of achieving universal mental well-being.
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