Aaria Varma, a 16-year-old mental health advocate, is the founder of Zen-Z, an initiative dedicated to raising mental health awareness among teenagers and Gen Z. Diagnosed with ADHD, Aaria brings a unique perspective to her platform, aiming to educate both teenagers and their parents about the mental health challenges faced by today’s youth.
In Zen-Z’s first phase, Aaria collaborates with mental health experts to provide valuable insights, ensuring that her message resonates with her peers and their families.
WS: What inspired you to start Zen-Z while navigating ADHD yourself?
AV: The idea behind Zen-Z originated from a very personal space. Growing up, I often felt like I was living in two worlds. One where I was expected to function a certain way: focus, be consistent, excel. And another where my mind was constantly buzzing, distracted, overwhelmed, and often misunderstood. I struggled to find content that truly spoke to what I was going through. All of it seemed so clinical or detached from the life of a teenager. I felt like no one was saying the things I needed to hear at 15. Everything I came across felt too polished, too adult—it didn’t match the chaos I was living in. Zen-Z was born out of this gap I couldn’t stop noticing: teens like me needed real talk, not textbook advice. I made the decision to construct something from the ground up at that point.
Zen-Z started out as a podcast where I could initiate discussions about issues that were important to my generation. I talk to mental health professionals about everything from the emotional strain of exams to the pressures of social media and how parenting practices affect the mental health of teenagers. It gave my journey a sense of purpose, and in a way, it’s helped me understand myself better too. Zen-Z is my way of creating a space where those messy, honest conversations are not just allowed, they’re encouraged.
WS: How has your personal experience with ADHD influenced Zen-Z’s mission to support teenagers?
AV: Living with ADHD made me deeply aware of how isolating it can be when you don’t have language for what you’re feeling. There’s a sense of enduring a hardship that provides a special perspective, one that’s not based on sympathy but empathy. ADHD for me isn’t something I simply have; it’s something I live every day navigating the world slightly differently. That feeling of being “too much” or “not enough” depending on what’s happening was draining. But it also reminded me of the value of having individuals who simply get it. Zen-Z responds to that need. It’s not merely about awareness; it’s about building belonging.
Our goal is to make listeners feel less isolated in their confusion, their intensity, and their attempts to understand themselves in each of the stories or episodes we share. My life was made more intensely emotional by ADHD, but it also heightened my curiosity, sensitivity, and desire to find ways to express what matters.
WS: What challenges did you face in starting Zen-Z, and how did you navigate them?
AV: There were quite a few. Developing a platform that tackled mental health issues while juggling schoolwork, exams, and the typical adolescent routine was difficult. I had moments of self-doubt and questioned whether anyone would ever trust me. Many adults initially doubted my ability to contribute significantly to the conversation as a teenager because mental health is such a delicate subject.
I knew I was producing content for people going through actual, frequently painful experiences, so that added even more pressure. I had a strong sense of obligation to “get it right.” I made sure everything discussed in the podcast was accurate and well-informed by having a conversation with mental health experts.
Zen-Z began as a modest side project but developed into a trusted platform as more listeners identified with the sincerity of the discussions. And it was that trust that got me through those early, uncertain days.
WS: How does Zen-Z bridge the gap between experts and Gen Z?
AV: We translate clinical insights into real talk. Mental health advice often feels too removed from everyday experiences. At Zen-Z, the conversations are structured but casual. For instance, when we had Dr. Zirak Marker on the podcast, he spoke about how social media impacts our sense of self. We took that insight and broke it down into everyday behaviours like how many of us check notifications obsessively, base our self-worth on likes, or feel invisible when our posts don’t “perform.” That’s the kind of translation we aim for: relatable, digestible, and honest.
WS: Your first episodes focused on exam stress and social media. Why those topics?
AV: They were the most immediate and universal struggles I saw among my peers. Everyone’s stressed about marks, and almost everyone is affected by the pressure of social media. These aren’t just teenage issues, they’re mental health issues disguised as normal life.
Exams bring up anxiety, fear of failure, perfectionism, and sometimes even burnout. Social media, on the other hand, constantly chips away at self-esteem and promotes comparison. I knew that if we started Zen-Z with topics this relevant, it would help teenagers feel an instant sense of connection. These were the conversations we were all having in fragments with friends, but never openly or with proper guidance. So, I decided to start there.
WS: How do you ensure your content speaks to both teens and their parents?
AV: It’s about balance. I always try to speak authentically to teens, no sugarcoating, no talking down. At the same time, I also make sure parents feel included in the conversation. We bring in expert voices who can explain things in ways that adults respect and understand.
Sometimes, an episode will include insights or tips that are clearly designed for parents, like how to handle exam stress in their kids or how to talk about social media without sounding accusatory. I’ve had messages from both teens and parents saying an episode helped them understand each other better. That’s when I know it’s working.
WS: Why do you think ADHD is often misunderstood in India, and how do we reduce stigma?
AV: Lack of awareness plays a huge role. Very little is known about it, and even less is accepted. Many people believe that having ADHD equates to being unruly or simply inattentive. They are unaware that it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts sleep, focus, time management, and emotional control. A child who doesn’t “fit the mold” is frequently reprimanded rather than encouraged in India, where academic success is paramount. We must normalize these discussions in families and schools in order to lessen stigma. Education must take the place of shame. ADHD is a difference in brain wiring, not a lack of character. The stigma will lessen the more we create space for these conversations and share genuine stories.
WS: What’s one ADHD myth you wish people would stop believing?
AV: That it’s a result of poor parenting or lack of discipline. That belief is so damaging. ADHD has nothing to do with how you were raised. It’s a neurological condition. People with ADHD often work twice as hard to function in systems that weren’t built for them.
It’s also not something kids “grow out of.” Many adults live with ADHD, often undiagnosed, because they’ve been masking their symptoms for years. We need to shift the conversation from blame to understanding.
WS. What advice would you give to other young people who want to advocate for mental health but don’t?
AV: Start with your own story. You don’t need to be an expert to care. Just being open about what you’re going through can inspire someone else to do the same. Whether it’s posting on social media, starting a school club, or even just checking in with friends, small steps matter.
Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” If you feel passionate about it, that’s enough to begin. There’s no one way to advocate for mental health. Just be honest, and you’ll find your path.
WS: What advice would you give to other teens who want to speak up for mental health but don’t know where to start?
AV: You do not have to wait until you are older, louder, or more “qualified.” Whatever you care about, you already have the right to appear for it. Sound even if your voice trembles. Trust yourself. You do not need to fit into anyone else’s definition of leadership, make your own. You can be soft and strong, uncertain and brave, all simultaneously. That is enough.
WS: How can schools and parents support teens dealing with mental health issues?
AV: Start by listening, really listening. Not to respond, but to understand. Schools can begin by incorporating mental health into their regular curriculum through age-appropriate, regular modules on emotions, boundaries, and coping strategies, rather than just holding awareness days once in a while. Teachers’ ought to receive training on how to spot emotional distress symptoms and react to them without passing judgment. By enabling trust, parents can provide support. When an adolescent opens up, listen to them without becoming angry or afraid. Establish a space where people feel comfortable saying, “I’m struggling.” That one mental adjustment can have a profound impact.
WS: What’s next for Zen-Z?
AV: Currently, I’m focused on building a safe, supportive space through ZenZ where children and parents can openly identify emotional or behavioral challenges and receive actionable, empathetic guidance. My goal is to provide practical advice that acts as a guide for navigating challenges.
Looking ahead, I’m working on developing a more concrete solution: a comprehensive curriculum tailored to teenagers. This curriculum will focus on two core pillars: first, creating a space centered around empathy, understanding, and emotional safety; and second, equipping teenagers with tools to manage their mental health in ways that actually work for them.
The idea is to move beyond generic advice and design tools that are teen-specific. For example, while yoga is often recommended to manage stress, the way it’s delivered needs to be adapted. Teenagers may not have the attention span or time for a traditional one-hour session. So, I’ve taken a foundational yoga course myself and plan to collaborate with credible yoga practitioners to co-create bite-sized, five-minute modules that are realistic and engaging for teenagers.
This same philosophy carries over to other wellness activities as well, whether that’s music as a tool for emotional release, dance therapy, meditation, or just breathing exercises. All of these resources are available, but they must be rebranded and carefully retooled for youth, not just passed down in adult packaging.
This is the path I envision for the future of ZenZ: bridging gaps between professional know-how and adolescent realities, establishing solutions that are credible as well as relatable.
WS: As a young woman leading this initiative, what message would you share with girls who want to make an impact?
AV: You don’t need to wait until you’re older, louder, or more “qualified.” If something matters to you, you already have the right to show up for it. Speak even if your voice shakes. Trust your instincts. You don’t have to fit into anyone else’s version of leadership, create your own.
You can be soft and strong, unsure and brave, all at once. That’s enough.
Team WS
