NOBLESVILLE — A group of high school students in Noblesville is stepping up for mental health, using creativity and technology to break down stigma and build support in their community.
“It takes all of us at the table to say we’re going to actually put action to our words,” said Lexie Rock, advisor for the Mayor’s Youth Council. “Not just say we’re a community where mental health matters.”
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Teens Taking the Lead
Among the teens driving this mission is Danielle Leininger, who’s all too familiar with the pressure teens face.
“There’s so much pressure to be the best, to be the most athletic, to be the smartest,” she said. “Taking care of yourself is the main way you can fulfill your dreams, right?”
Danielle and her peers were approached with a simple but powerful idea: a mental health initiative centered around tech.
Tags to Tap: Mental Health at Your Fingertips
With the help of Steve Witta, a web developer and council advisor, the group created “Tags to Tap” — a device that connects users directly to a website filled with mental health resources and uplifting messages, simply by tapping their phone.
“The goal is to get the attitudes and conversations of youth to trickle up to older generations,” Witta explained.
These tags have quickly caught on, even making their way into local shops like Go & Do Apparel and Goods and The Chapter Book Lounge, with proceeds supporting organizations like Ben’s Ranch, a nearby mental health nonprofit.
Helping Hands at Ben’s Ranch
Jennifer Brown, barn manager at Ben’s Ranch, works closely with teens navigating emotional challenges.
“We have them help bring horses in and out, feeding them, learning responsibility, teamwork, and how to manage emotions,” she said.
Brown praised the student-led project, saying, “The Tags to Tap project just really blew up. It’s been super exciting to see the students excited about it.”
Creating a Culture of Openness
As the project gains momentum, students like Danielle hope it sparks meaningful change.
“It’s okay to talk about it, and it’s okay not to be okay,” she said. “I want people to know they’re loved and that they matter — because that’s what’s really important.”
With youth voices leading the charge, Noblesville is proving that when it comes to mental health, a small idea can tap into something big.
