I started with the project ‘RiseUp: Empowering Teens’ I started it initially to spread awareneess on the mental health challenges faced by the teenagers. I speard awareness through e-books, articles, workshops, and created social media content to spread awareness. All these included topics such as stress, peer pressure, low self-esteem, cyber addiction, and emotional well-being. This successfully did spread awareness on the teenager issues and I realized that only awareness was not enough real conversation was required.
To take the furture step ahead and provide real and true conversation with solutions, we started with the LUMOS Project. The Project focused on creating a safe and true conversation space for the teenagers, so that they can interact with the mental health eperts directly and have their conversations. LUMOS Event is an expert-led event which was been scheduled on 21st January 2026 (Wednesday) in school, and our target audience was Grade 9 to 12. The aim of the event was to empower teenagers with practical education, emotional support, and the confidence to seek help whenever nedded.
LO 1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
The LUMOS Project made me more aware of my strengths which is in research, communication, leadership, and proactive. Conducting surveys, interacting with experts, creating a open space for teenager helped me realize that I am confident in gathering information and expression ideas and really passionate about giving to community. At the same time, I identified the areas of growth such as managing stress, improving clarity and communication with volunteers. This experience allowed me to actively work on these areas and grow myself.
LO 2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
In the LUMOS Project one major challenge was to convince students to participate and be engaged within the workshop, as mental health is a topic which people avoid talking about and it is aswell a sensitive or uncomfortable topic. It was also difficult to contact and connect the experts, and take all the pre-event permissions and approvals. On the day of the event, there were unexpected delays and last-minute changes, and a few things did not go as planned which was the most difficult part. To handle these challenges it required to be patience, flexibile, and strong with communication. Through this process, I developed problem-solving, time management, leadership and team work skills. Overcoming these difficulties helped me grow and be more confident in managing large-scale initiativies and real-world responsibilities.
LO 3 – Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
The LUMOS Project was initiated and planned by identifing the key mental health issues faced by teenagers these days which was must to address within the teenagers. Hence, I planned expert-led session for all the students. This experience taught me how careful planning and clear goal are important for execution.
LO 5 – Demostrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
The skill collabration was must in throughout the project/ event, mainly while working with the experts, voluntrees, school authorities, and mentors. And effective communication improve my decision-making skills and these skills helped me ensure that the event is effectively addressing the main goal and teenagers are able to have real and true conversation with experts. And this experience showed me that teamwork is must and in huge project it the strength which impacts and leads to more thoughtful and inclusive outcomes.
