Shitanshu Dhakal, 21, is a medical student at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences in Nepal. She has a keen interest around mental health and is one of the co-founders of Team Aarogya, a digital peer support system that expands access to mental health support for children and young people within schools. The project’s pitch won them the Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2020, organized by UNICEF and UNDP in collaboration with King’s College and Tyrocity.com.

Shitanshu is presently serving as UNICEF Nepal’s Youth Advocate for mental health, working to expand the conversation around the issue among children, youth, families and communities, calling for an increased investment in research and more accessible support services for all.