A Voice for the Vulnerable Is Redefining Student Support

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Niharika Shukla. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

At only 18 years old, Niharika Shukla has already cemented herself as a formidable voice for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations. Driven by a desire to secure critical support for youth—particularly BIPOC students who often face systemic barriers to care—she serves as a co-chair of the PA Youth Advocacy Network. Her leadership involves guiding a teen committee of fellow activists who are determined to reshape how the state approaches student well-being, effectively turning personal passion into statewide policy. 

This dedication culminated in a historic legislative push where Niharika led her team in co-writing Senate Bill 886 and House Bill 1519 alongside state senators and representatives. These bills aim to establish excused mental health days for over 1.7 million public school students across the commonwealth. To ensure these measures move forward, Niharika has been a relentless presence at the State Capitol, testifying in the Rotunda and presenting to the House Education Committee. Her grassroots efforts also rallied over 600 signatures on a petition, demonstrating that the demand for prioritizing student mental health is both urgent and widespread. 

Beyond the legislature, Niharika has worked to institutionalize awareness at the executive level. She co-wrote the official Statewide Teen Mental Health Awareness Day Proclamation, as well as serving as the sole author of the Cumberland County Teen Mental Health Awareness Day Proclamation, ensuring that the message of support reaches far and wide.

Her advocacy has garnered significant acclaim, including features by ABC News, a spotlight on the Nasdaq Billboard in New York City and the prestigious National Princeton Prize in Race Relations. But the true measure of Niharika’s success lies in the infrastructure of care she is building. By bridging the gap between student needs and government policy, she is crafting a future where mental health is treated with the same seriousness as physical health, offering hope and tangible resources to the next generation.  

Tell us about your volunteer role. 

I work as the co-chair and team lead of the PA Youth Advocacy Network, a statewide organization dedicated to increasing mental health resources for students in our state. I led our Teen Committee of high school advocates in co-writing Pennsylvania Senate Bill 886 and House Bill 1519, re-introduced as SB 781 and HB 1648, alongside Senator Kane, Senator Schwank and Representative Nelson to amend the public school code and allow for excused mental health days for 1.7 million students. I worked to advance this legislation by rallying over 600 signatures across Pennsylvania through the Excused Mental Health Days petition, along with presenting the bills to the House Education Committee and Mental Health Caucus at the State Capitol.

I also co-wrote the official Statewide Teen Mental Health Awareness Day Proclamation, signed by Governor Shapiro, recognizing May 23 for the past two years, reaching over 850,000 teens, along with being the sole author of the Cumberland County Teen Mental Health Awareness Day Proclamation, by county commissioners and reaching over 50,000 teens countywide. 

Why are these issues so important to you? 

With addictive social media algorithms, lack of support systems and the current political climate, it’s been heartbreaking to see the effects of the nationwide youth mental health crisis in my community over the past few years. Growing up seeing depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation affecting young people nationwide, I began raising my voice to fight for positive change. I hope to be a voice for my community and create systemic change to bring mental health support and culturally-responsive care to tackle the youth mental health crisis. 

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization? 

Our team is so excited to continue collaborating with bipartisan senators and staffers so the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can adopt our bill and bring excused mental health days and mandated mental health support to over 1.7 million students across the state. I personally hope to continue fighting for youth voice in policy, working at the intersection of activism, policy and research, and keep learning and growing as a leader! 

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

It’s been so incredible seeing the progress we’ve been able to achieve, whether it’s building a movement for recognizing mental health with the Governor, working with senators and representatives to pass the legislation we drafted on youth mental health support in schools or mobilizing petitions and campaigns to get the message out. Knowing that our lived experiences and youth voice in policy decisions can help shape resources that directly affect students like us makes this journey feel so much bigger than ourselves. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

I’ve learned that no matter how small, our actions can create real change. And I’ve learned to find joy in the process! Whether in the moments we were negotiating with staffers, drawing rally signs or researching for a policy memo, I found so much purpose in standing up for what I believe in and mobilizing more young people to stand beside me in this journey. 

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

Volunteering is all about having the courage to raise your voice and knowing that your ideas matter! 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Niharika? Find local volunteer opportunities.