This panel will be made up of youth and young adult advocates helping Members of the Hill and viewers of the livestream to learn about the impact and need of 988 awareness and GLS. One of the primary goals of this effort is to encourage Members of the Hill to support new legislation to include 988 on the back of Student IDs and GLS. This event is in cooperation with the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.
By registering and watching the live panel, not only will you get to hear and learn from fellow advocates but you will be adding to the voices that will help show those in Congress the value and importance of this legislation.
Share with your community and join us on the 5th! By registering in advance, you will receive reminders as the event approaches.
Meet the Speakers
Anika Rahman
Director of Policy Programs, Active Minds
Anika Rahman has served as both Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the Virginia General Assembly, where she worked directly with Delegates to craft, advocate for, and pass meaningful legislation. Anika brings over a decade of experience in grassroots organizing, campaign management, policy, and advocacy. Across six General Assembly sessions, she has worked on over 80 pieces of legislation, building coalitions, leveraging strategic advocacy to drive impact legislation, and playing a major role in passing Virginia’s first Online Child Safety Act with Delegate Maldonado and in advancing Delegate Kory’s Mental Health First Aid Training for Teachers bill. Fluent in 5 languages, Anika’s advocacy extends to Capitol Hill, where she has worked on international human rights issues, including the Rohingya crisis and Uyghur youth advocacy. Recognized as one of NOVA’s 40 Under 40 by the Leadership Center for Excellence, Anika is a trusted advisor to elected officials and candidates. Her work is grounded in a belief in empathy-driven policy, community engagement, and strategic coalition-building.
Carson Domey
Executive Director, Coalition for Student Wellbeing
Carson Domey is a youth mental health advocate and Executive Director of the Coalition for Student Wellbeing, focusing on connecting students with decision-makers through advocacy and education. He began his advocacy at 12, aiming to improve telehealth access in Massachusetts, and shifted to mental health after losing a friend to suicide in 2018. He has worked on state and federal legislation, including expanding physical education definitions to include mental health and promoting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students. Currently an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin, Carson is involved in several nonprofits and has served on various commissions. In his free time, he enjoys flying and supporting Boston sports teams and the Texas Longhorns.
Naomi Hines
Youth Representative, Active Minds Board of Directors
Naomi Hines is a dedicated youth mental health advocate focused on improving care and awareness for young adults through lived experiences. As a senior at Bowie State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she aims to become a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. Naomi leads initiatives like Active Minds Bowie and the Child & Adolescent Studies Association, and serves on the Active Minds Board of Directors. She is a certified Mental Health First Aide provider and has received the Active Minds Sue Chimbricz Award for her contributions. As the Founder and CEO of the Acts of Kindness Project, she aims to uplift underserved communities. Naomi is committed to fostering compassion and ensuring all youth have access to vital mental health resources.
Michael Landu
Student Advocate for Mental Health Awareness
Michael Landu is a third-year student transferring to the University of Mary Washington after earning an associate’s degree from Prince George’s Community College. With a keen interest in pursuing a degree in Computer Science or opting for a Business path with a Finance concentration, Michael is determined to make the most of his academic journey. Beyond academics, Michael brings a deeply personal perspective to discussions about mental health, having navigated his own battles with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), he is committed to using his experiences to help fellow students who are facing similar challenges. These challenges include family estrangement, the pressures of social media, homelessness, and financial stress. Recognizing the importance of mental health resources, Michael actively advocates for services like the 988 hotline, viewing it as an essential lifeline for students and others managing mental health issues. His advocacy is deeply rooted in his own treatment journey, which fuels his passion for supporting others in their times of need.
Amy Senkerik
Youth Leader, Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute
Amy Senkerik is an undergraduate student at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, studying Biological Sciences and Global Health. Amy is involved in her community through the ASU Counseling Services Outreach Team, the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Campus Walk Team, the Refugee Education and Clinic Team, and as an Emergency Medical Technician. Amy has neuroscience research experience at the Mayo Clinic, Cedars Sinai, Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital, and Fulbright Canada. In her free time, Amy likes to run, rock climb, travel, and spend time with her loved ones. She ran the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon!
Ayaan Moledina
Federal Policy Director, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas
Ayaan Moledina is a 17-year-old Pakistani-American high school junior in Austin, Texas. He now serves as the Federal Policy Director at Students Engaged in Advancing Texas or SEAT, a movement of young people developing transferable skills and demonstrating youth visibility in policymaking by seeking a seat at the table. He spearheads local action, grassroots organizing efforts, and state and federal legislation touching issues ranging from mental health, suicide prevention, and youth civic engagement to education, racial justice, and gun violence prevention. Given his lived experiences with mental health, he is passionate about providing resources to struggling youth and expanding suicide prevention resources for students across the country.
