Diya Mankotia

Diya Mankotia – Texas
Nomination by Jyoti Mankotia
Photography by Itzel Flores
Issue 93 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Diya Mankotia is an inspiring youth change-maker from Texas, transforming how schools address eating disorders and mental health. Diagnosed with anorexia at 14, she founded her school’s first Eating Disorder Support & Awareness Club and later launched Project EDSA, a national initiative with 50+ volunteers across 3 countries. She’s led 3 school-wide campaigns, presented to 100+ students, distributed 150+ mental health kits, and reached 12,000+ through educational content. As Program Coordinator for ANAD’s School Ambassador Program, she’s helped launch support clubs in 20+ schools across 16 states, making eating disorder education and recovery support more visible, inclusive, and accessible nationwide.

Photography by Jyoti Mankotia

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
All the work I do is driven by a dedication to giving back and creating spaces where I once felt underrepresented or afraid to speak. After placing 4th internationally in HOSA Nutrition, I led a 12-week tutoring program for 30+ high school girls, hoping to pass on knowledge and confidence in a subject I’ve grown to love. I also know how difficult pursuing STEM can feel for underrepresented students. As Co-Director of Outreach for BioMedizone, a nonprofit connecting 100K+ youth to biomedical research, I manage internal teams, outreach strategy, and volunteer coordination to help open those doors for others.

What would you like to talk about first?
I’d love to talk more about the power of storytelling. When I first shared my eating disorder journey, I was scared, but what scared me more was staying silent and letting my disorder control me. That moment made me realize how powerful it is to just be honest. I started “Your Voice, Your Story” so other students could do the same, and I was honored to have the project featured by Channel Kindness. Storytelling isn't just about being heard; it's about creating safe spaces where others feel safe enough to speak up as well.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I’m passionate about conscious consumption. Not just what we eat but what we consume emotionally, mentally, and digitally. I believe everything we engage with, from what we watch to whom we surround ourselves with, shapes us in ways we don’t always notice. In a world filled with noise and pressure, it’s hard to know what’s actually good for us. That’s why I care so much about education, from nutrition to mental health. I want to help individuals think critically, listen to their own needs, and make choices that actually serve them, not just those around them.

What inspired you to turn your personal experience with anorexia into a national movement like Project EDSA?
When I struggled with an eating disorder, no one knew how to support me, and there wasn’t really an environment where I felt safe enough to talk about what I was going through. Determined to change that, I started a mental health club at my high school through the ANAD School Ambassador Program. What started as a small project quickly grew into something much bigger, making me realize this work was needed beyond just my school. That’s why I created Project EDSA: to build the support I wish I’d had, and to make sure everyone everywhere could access it.

What has been the most rewarding moment so far from launching support clubs in schools across the country?
People think of it as “just a club,” but every club supports real students and real lives. Just seeing the impact on each student is what moves me most. When someone tells me, “This club truly helped me feel seen,” it reminds me that it’s not about the number of chapters or schools. It’s about that one person this has been able to reach and support. That’s what makes the world of a difference.
How did you feel the first time you shared your eating disorder journey publicly, and what advice do you have for others who want to share their stories but are scared?
It was terrifying. I remember thinking, “Who am I to talk about this when I haven’t even fully figured it out?” But what scared me even more was knowing there might be someone else out there feeling the same way, just as alone. Sharing my story wasn’t about being perfect; it was about making space for someone else to feel less alone. My advice is to start small and start when you’re ready. You don’t have to tell the whole world at once. Your story is yours, and there’s so much strength in choosing when, how, and who to share it with.

You’ve reached thousands through your educational campaigns. What’s your strategy for making such a big impact at such a young age?
I think the biggest thing that helped me was starting even when I didn’t feel ready. I cold-emailed organizations, followed up even when I didn’t get a response, and stayed consistent. Even if something didn’t work out, I kept trying. As cliché as it sounds, if you’re truly passionate about something, you’ll find a way to turn even a hundred failures into something meaningful.

What does leadership mean to you when it comes to mental health advocacy?
To me, leadership means being comfortable being uncomfortable. When I first started speaking up, I felt like I wasn’t smart enough or experienced enough to lead anything. But I realized that mental health advocacy isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about being honest about the hard stuff others are too afraid to say out loud. Leadership means showing up anyway, even when you’re scared, and using your story to create space for someone else to do the same.

Tell us about a challenge you faced while expanding Project EDSA and how you overcame it.
One of the hardest challenges was launching EDSA while I was still struggling with my own recovery. I kept thinking I wasn’t “sick enough” or “well enough” to be leading something like this. It made me feel like a hypocrite. But I realized if I waited to feel perfectly qualified, I might never start at all. I overcame it by reminding myself that lived experience is a kind of expertise too. Leading wasn’t about having it all figured out; it was about showing up anyway and building what I needed for myself at that time, too.

Why do you believe school-based mental health resources are essential, and what changes would you love to see in how schools support students?
Schools are where students spend most of their time, yet mental health is still often overlooked. I’ve seen how many students suffer quietly simply because they don’t know where to go or whom to trust. Every student deserves access to education, support, and caring adults who are prepared to help. I’d love to see schools take that next step by offering more training for staff, creating safe spaces led by students, and making sure mental health support is part of the everyday school culture.

How do you manage your own mental health while leading so many initiatives that are emotionally intense?
I’ve had to learn the hard way that rest is just as important as the work itself. There are still days when I question if I’m doing enough, but I remind myself I can’t pour into others if I’m running on an empty gas tank. I take breaks when I need to, set boundaries with my time, and lean on the same support systems I encourage others to use. Being a mental health advocate isn’t just about showing up for others; it’s about learning how to show up for yourself, too.

Can you share one student's story or message that reminded you why this work is so important?
After one of our events, a student came up to me and said they never thought they’d be able to share their story, but after seeing me speak, they felt like maybe they could too. In that moment, I saw myself. I saw the version of me who once felt too scared to be vulnerable. And it truly made me realize that this work isn’t just about awareness. It’s about helping people find their voice, just like I once had to find mine.

What does “conscious consumption” mean to you in your everyday life? How do you personally practice it?
To me, conscious consumption is about being intentional with what I take in emotionally, mentally, and digitally. I try to pay attention to how things make me feel, whether it's the content I scroll through, the people I spend time with, or the thoughts I feed myself. I practice it by curating my social media, setting boundaries around comparison, and choosing things that align with who I am and who I want to be. It’s less about restriction and more about asking, “Is this helping me grow or pulling me further from myself?”

If you could give one piece of advice to other teens struggling with self-image or mental health, what would it be?

You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get support, and you don’t have to be anyone other than who you already are to be worthy of love. Unfortunately, the world we live in glamorizes struggle and unhealthy standards, so we get used to thinking we have to reduce ourselves to nothing to deserve care. But the truth is, from the moment you’re born to long after you're gone, you are worthy, not because of what you’ve done or how you look, but simply because you exist. That in itself is enough.

What are your hopes for the future of mental health advocacy and education for teens in schools?
I hope we move from just raising awareness to actually creating change. Most students already know mental health matters, but they’re still scared to speak up and scared to take action. And honestly, schools are still figuring out how to respond when they do. I want to see spaces where it’s not just okay but encouraged for youth to step up and become leaders in their communities. I truly think adults underestimate how much students are capable of, and Project EDSA shows all that is possible when youth are empowered to lead.

How did you find your photographer, and what did you love most about the experience?
I met Itzel through our school’s HOSA chapter. At first, we barely knew each other, but we quickly connected through our shared passion for healthcare and our drive to pursue careers in the field. We were both super dedicated to competing, often staying up late to study and prepare. Working with her felt easy because we understood each other's goals and passions. What I loved most was how much we both believed in each other. My experience with her is something I’ll always remember, not just for the competition, but for the friendship we built.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with my mentor isn’t just one moment, but her constant support through every step I took forward. Even when I doubted myself, she encouraged me to try new things, apply to opportunities outside my comfort zone, and step into spaces I didn’t think I belonged in. A quote from her that has always stuck with me is, “You’ll never know unless you try.” It’s simple, but it pushed me to take risks and believe in possibility. Her belief in me helped me believe in myself, and I’ll carry that with me throughout my whole life.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I used to look up to inspiring people and wonder if I’d ever be able to make a difference like they did. Having the chance to be featured feels incredibly humbling and a way to say thank you to the mentors and changemakers who shaped me. It’s not about the spotlight, but about reflecting the impact others had on me and hopefully doing the same for someone else. I believe in the power of representation and storytelling, and if my journey can help even one person feel less alone or more confident in their voice, then it’s worth sharing.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?

If I win a scholarship, I’ll use the funding to support educator training workshops and free eating disorder prevention screenings for under-resourced schools. Only 10% of schools in the U.S. provide eating disorder training for staff, often due to financial barriers, despite its proven impact on early intervention. These trainings and kits will include evidence-based resources, classroom guides, and referral tools. With support from Project EDSA and ANAD, I’ve already begun this work. This scholarship would help expand it so that educators, often the first to recognize symptoms, feel equipped to take action and support at-risk students.

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
My future career is definitely something I’m still exploring, but I’m really interested in research, especially around mental health, behavior, and how we can actually turn that research into support that helps people in real life. I think it’d be amazing to do something where I can work on both the science and the impact side. Becoming a research professor of some sort could help me not only learn more, but also contribute to creating real solutions for the problems so many of us are facing.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
I would like to express my greatest gratitude to my parents. Coming from a South Asian family, I know how hard it was for them to see me struggle with my mental health, and even though they didn’t fully understand, they still stood by me. I’m also so thankful for Mrs. Falli, my school librarian, who has been one of my biggest supporters through every idea (no matter how tragic) I had. And I’m beyond grateful to ANAD for believing in me and giving me the platform to turn something so personal into something powerful.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I truly never would have imagined getting here one day. I started all of this for one reason: this was an issue I noticed, something I was going through myself, and I wanted to help. Not just help myself, but help others too. And today, I am leading programs across the country, building resources for students I’ll never even meet, and doing everything I can to make sure no one has to feel as alone as I once did. I am truly so grateful for the work I’ve gotten to accomplish and cannot wait for all that’s still ahead.

What are 3 Things on your bucket list?
Speaking at a national conference, publishing a book on youth advocacy, and riding a rollercoaster (believe it or not, I’ve never actually been on one)

Look for Diya in issue 93 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

click here for more information on issue 93

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