UShine embraces a research-informed, conversational, and active approach to mental-health education and wellness-enhancing tools.*

Did You Know?

83% of Gen-Zers (18-28) report mental health concerns - reported as diagnosed & undiagnosed. (Harmony Healthcare. 2025)
In 2021 42% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless.
In 2023 20% of high schoolers nationwide seriously considered suicide. (CDC. 2024)
In 2023 nearly 15,000 U.S. suicides were the reported cause of death in those between 10-34 years of age - 43% of those individuals were 10-24 years of age. This was the 2nd-leading cause of death in 10-14, 15-24, and 25-34 age groups. (NIMH. 2023)
Nearly 800,000 Oklahomans (1 in 5 ) experience mental health illness every year. (MHH. 2024)
Only 25% of Oklahomans can access the mental healthcare they need.(NAMI. 2025)

Teenagers today face challenges: academic stress, peer pressure, and the daily influence of social media. Adults face additional pressures, as well, and can oftentimes seem inaccessible for support due to high stress and associated burnout (Aflac WR. 2025, APA. 2025)

These factors - combined with the natural uncertainties of adolescence - can contribute to mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.

Just as we celebrate our young people in success and triumphs, we work to provide space to acknowledge the unseen struggles many teens endure.

UShine envisions a world where mental health is not whispered in hushed tones, but is spoken about openly and without judgment.

A world where stigma surrounding mental health is replaced with understanding and support. That’s where Healthy Habits* and our Four Pillars* come into the conversation.

UShine’s Four Pillars

To Spark Passion

U!Shine helps individuals, organizations, and communities share their passion about improving their mental health and helping others do the same. Sharing stories, conversations, and our Healthy Habits© program help guide this engagement.

To Promote Compassion

U!Shine works to bridge the gap between those who struggle with mental health and those who have found ways to mange theirs by educating communities on the harmful nature of stigmas. This supports community well-being.

To Focus Proactively

We educate individuals and communities on the early signs and symptoms of common mental illness. We hold open and accepting small-group conversations about critical proactive vs. reactive mental health education and practices.

To Build Hope

We encourage individuals and communities to take ownership of their mental health. We share tools. We share stories of those living full lives despite a diagnosis, and we create opportunities for people to connect; find support, encouragement, and hope.

*About Healthy Habits:

There are many mental health awareness programs, but few programs to teach people how to be mentally and emotionally healthy.

In 2015, we worked with a team of counselors, psychologists, personal trainers, nutritionists, relationship experts, higher education professionals, and community leaders to look at the problem and develop a solution. We learned that it doesn’t matter if you’re 7 or 70, there are specific things everyone can do to keep themselves mentally and emotionally strong.

Together, we built the Healthy Habits Program, a life-enhancing curriculum that can be deployed in a variety of settings to many different audiences.

UShine's 12 Healthy Habits:

● Loving Self & Others

● Healthy Healing

● Goal Setting

● Sleep

● Healthy Living

● Self-discovery

● Self-advocacy

● Conflict Resolution

● Mindfulness

● Coping Skills

● Stress Management

● Resilience

Your support is vital in helping us:

☑️ Provide Healthy Habits materials to even those who have budgetary limitations.

☑️ Launch our Teen Advisory Council for 2026-27 school year.

☑️ Pay our team to activate the community through events, speaking engagements, and business development efforts.

☑️ Train facilitators.

☑️ Create a team of UShine facilitators who are actively available to support Healthy Habits in communities, organizations, and schools.

Please help us grow our efforts and ensure access to these tools and guidance. We all shine brighter together!

Keep Shining,

-UShine Team

*UShine - and associated program work - is not to be used in place of professional therapeutic support. If you are in need of advanced mental health guidance, please contact a licensed therapist. If you are in immediate danger of self-harm, please contact 988 by dialing right now. You matter and are loved.

UShine 2026-2027 Fiscal Campaign

Healthy Habits Program, Facilitator Trainings / Bookings, & Team Funding

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Team Members