PaperRoad

The problem we're addressing is the growing mental health crisis among today's teenagers compounded by a shortage of mental health therapists, leaving teens in crisis without sufficient support or access to quality wellness resources.

A national state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health was raised in 2021 by the the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ASCAP) (CHA 2023). In 2023, despite over 17 million teens experiencing anxiety and depression annually, and over 40 million teens in the US currently struggling with mental health symptoms, the topic remains taboo, the data remains unchanged, and an alarming number of  teens are left without the support they need due to a shortage of quality, accessible resources. Our future generation needs us, and this is a pivotal moment to provide them with a solution when the rising demand for youth mental health services, projected to reach $26 billion by 2027, intersects with advancements in intelligent computing technologies. PaperRoad’s mission is to empower teens on their journey of self-discovery and wellness, merging self-care with personal growth through innovative solutions.

PaperRoad is a free personal wellness platform, both mobile and web-based, dedicated to empowering teens through supportive, technology-enabled, personal wellness journeys that cultivate lifelong authenticity, self-care, and personal growth.

Our focus group research found that teens actively seek self-improvement through technology, but many feel unsure of where to begin. They crave guidance, especially when feeling stuck or overwhelmed by misleading wellness advice.

PaperRoad takes a holistic and evidence-based approach to self-guided care nurturing teen mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. We start by getting to know each teen through quick, fun quizzes covering topics like stress, relationships, mindfulness, and aspirations.

Interactive wellness roadmaps and personalized ebooks provide a cohesive visual view of each teens’ unique wellness journey while documenting their progress over time. The more effort they invest, the more coaching, rewards and self-knowledge they unlock.

Using proven psychological research, our AI then recommends a personalized series of prioritized 5 minute evidenced daily practices scientifically shown to build resilience, reduce stress and promote healthier habits in a lasting way, such as by practicing gratitude or self-reflection.

But what sets PaperRoad apart isn't just its technology—it's the empathetic guidance and collaborative community support.

PaperRoad surrounds teens with compassionate mentorship, peer support, and friendly feedback from AI coaches and human experts in psychology, counseling, and youth development. They offer personalized guidance through collaborative journals, celebrating progress with rewards and use gamification to keep teens motivated. 

Key PaperRoad features include:

Collaborative Wellness Journeys

 Immersive quizzes and shared journaling unlock insights, with the platform providing a customized roadmap, daily practice recommendations, and personalized feedback. Our wellness journeys visually reflect each teen's unique needs, goals, and challenges.

Personalized Guidance and Support: 

Algorithms, coaches, and a peer-led community generate feedback and recommendations for self-care and personal growth, helping teens strengthen essential life skills.

Daily Prioritized Practice Recommendations

Small step-by-step, many less than 5 minutes and most off-line. Daily tracking data takes less than 5 minutes to register. And just a few minutes to write in a journal or answer reflections. 

Comprehensive, Data-Driven Approach: 

Capturing rich cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and behavioral insights to create a unique, adaptive experience for each user.

Fostering Connections and Community: 

A nurturing environment where teens can connect with peers, tackle group challenges, and feel validated.

Inclusive, Specialized Support: 

Partnering with community organizations to provide identity-affirming guidance, particularly for marginalized youth.

Engaging and Motivating Experiences

Gamified features like challenges, printable resources, and progress rewards and recognition. These interactive elements foster a sense of achievement and encourage the development of sustainable healthy habits.

Peer-led Central Information Authority for Teens

A comprehensive Teen Wellness Library offers science-backed, data-driven insights from leading experts in teen wellness. Curated with teen-led feedback and mentorship, the library provides invaluable guidance and printable tools.

PaperRoad's primary audience is adolescents aged 13 to 21 in the United States. 

We aim to have the following key impacts on their lives:

Cultivating a Growth Mindset: 

Empowering teens to view challenges as opportunities for growth, fostering a positive mindset across various aspects of their lives.

Unlocking Teen Potential: 

Providing personalized guidance and support to help teens define and pursue their aspirational selves, igniting a sense of purpose and inspiring active engagement and progress.

Addressing Root Causes of Stress: 

Empowering teens to proactively manage their well-being by identifying and addressing the underlying causes of stress and anxiety.

Strengthening Essential Life Skills: 

Equipping teens with crucial competencies like communication, problem-solving, and mindfulness, fostering personal growth and leadership development.

Promoting Social Connectedness: 

Fostering a sense of belonging and support, empowering teens to uplift one another on their wellness journey.

Encouraging Positive Habit Formation: 

Helping teens develop lifelong well-being through recommendations, goal-setting tools, and progress tracking features that nurture the adoption of healthy habits.

Democratizing Access to High-Quality Resources: 

Ensuring teens can access evidence-based wellness information and tools, enabling them to make informed decisions and promote their overall well-being and personal growth.

We bring together a wealth of knowledge and experience to address the complex needs of today's teens. With a deep understanding of the challenges teens face, coupled with a passion for empowering young minds, our team is dedicated to creating a solution that goes beyond mere functionality — it's about creating a transformative experience that resonates with teens on a profound level.

Many members of our team have personal experience navigating the challenges of adolescence, drawing from their own journeys to inform our approach. We have also leveraged our extensive network within the teen community, conducting focus group research to gain a nuanced understanding of their needs, preferences, and aspirations.

At the heart of our mission is a genuine desire to empower the next generation and pave the way for a brighter, healthier future. With PaperRoad, we're not just delivering a solution — we're creating a transformative experience that will inspire growth, foster resilience, and instill a sense of belonging in teens worldwide.

PaperRoad is currently in the beta-testing stage, having completed an extensive research phase and initial prototype development. This strategic approach allows us to deeply understand the needs of our teen users and build a solution tailored to their unique challenges and aspirations.

In Phase One, we conducted in-depth research to uncover the root causes of teen stress and anxiety, as well as their desires for self-improvement and wellness support. This foundational work guided the development of web and mobile prototypes, which we thoroughly user-tested to gather invaluable user feedback.

We are now in Phase Two, focused on building out the free web-based wellness journey and central information library for teens. This comprehensive platform will feature evidence-based resources, including free printable card games and worksheets, to empower teens on their personal growth and self-care journeys. We anticipate this phase to be completed in the coming weeks.

The subsequent phases will further refine and expand our solution. 

In Phase Three, we will transform the online platform into a mobile app, incorporating prioritized daily practice recommendations to seamlessly integrate wellness into teens' daily lives. 

Phase Four will emphasize intensive beta-testing and iteration, while also establishing key partnerships to extend our reach and impact.

Finally, Phase Five will concentrate on our official launch, coupled with strategic partnerships with schools, teen wellness organizations, and mental health providers.

A partnership with MIT Solve would be transformative for PaperRoad, unlocking new levels of innovation, validation, and scalability across several key areas:

Data Visualization: 

Collaboration with MIT Solve can enhance PaperRoad's data visualization capabilities. By leveraging MIT Solve's expertise in data science and user experience design, we can develop more impactful data visualizations that strengthen teens' understanding of their progress and empower them to make informed decisions about their well-being. 

Access to Health Expertise: 

Tapping into MIT's renowned faculty and researchers across diverse fields, particularly within the Jameel Clinic, can provide PaperRoad with invaluable insights and guidance.

AI Innovation: 

Working alongside MIT Solve can lead to the development of more sophisticated AI algorithms and advanced data analytics techniques. This collaboration will drive innovation in PaperRoad's core technological capabilities, elevating the user experience and expanding the platform's impact.

Navigating Regulatory Environment

PaperRoad needs guidance on navigating the challenges of the regulatory environment to ensure HIPAA and FERPA compliant products that keep teens safe.

Testing and Evaluation: 

MIT Solve offers unparalleled opportunities for rigorous testing and evaluation through research studies and user trials. This partnership will enable PaperRoad to gather empirical data on user outcomes, refine our methodologies, and demonstrate the real-world impact of our solution.

Privacy Innovation: 

Privacy, anonymity, and security are paramount for PaperRoad, as we handle sensitive user data. Leveraging MIT Solve's expertise can help us enhance our privacy features beyond HumanID, ensuring robust data protection while providing a seamless and trusted user experience.

Crisis Intervention: 

MIT Solve resources can assist in developing more effective crisis intervention and risk assessment protocols to identify and support users at risk of self-harm or other crises. This collaboration can save lives and ensure PaperRoad is equipped to handle the most critical situations.

Supporters and Resources: 

Partnering with MIT Solve opens doors to a vast network of alumni, industry partners, and funding opportunities, supporting PaperRoad's growth and scalability. We are particularly interested in partnering with Hopelab and MIT Koko.

Validation and Credibility: 

Aligning with MIT Solve lends unparalleled credibility to PaperRoad's approach. MIT Solve's endorsement can validate the effectiveness and impact of our solution, enhancing our reputation and positioning us as a leader in the teen wellness space.

PaperRoad consists of a mobile and web platform that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology, evidence-based therapies, and empathetic support. Here's what sets our solution apart:

Collaborative Wellness Journeys: 

PaperRoad fosters an engaging, participatory experience where teens actively collaborate to improve their well-being. By sharing knowledge, insights, and experiences, teens develop a supportive network that holds each other accountable and gives feedback about their wellness progress. This collaborative approach, grounded in principles of authenticity and holistic well-being, empowers teens to take ownership of their personal growth.

Personalization at Scale: 

Leveraging AI-powered algorithms, PaperRoad tailors each teen's wellness journey to their unique needs and preferences, ensuring maximum impact and relevance. The platform provides comprehensive, personalized health metrics, giving teens valuable, centralized insights into their overall well-being.

Integration of Technology and Therapy: 

By merging advanced technology with established therapeutic modalities, PaperRoad delivers a truly comprehensive solution that addresses both the technical and emotional aspects of teen wellness. This blended approach provides teens with the tools and support they need to build resilience and self-awareness as they navigate life's challenges.

Empathetic Guidance: 

PaperRoad's team of compassionate coaches and peer mentors offer teens the guidance, encouragement, and emotional support they need to cultivate lifelong well-being. This empathetic approach empowers teens to develop the self-awareness and coping skills essential for thriving in all aspects of their lives.

Holistic Approach: 

PaperRoad takes a 360-degree view of wellness, empowering teens to thrive in the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of their lives. By considering the interconnectedness of these facets, the platform provides a truly comprehensive solution that helps teens achieve authentic, lasting well-being.

Engagement Through Gamification: 

To sustain teen engagement and foster the adoption of healthy habits, PaperRoad incorporates gamification elements, making the wellness journey enjoyable, rewarding, and motivating.

Peer Support and Co-Creation: 

Through shared journaling, group activities, and peer-led support groups, PaperRoad fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment, enabling teens to learn from and uplift one another on their wellness journeys.

Evidence-Based Practices: 

PaperRoad's platform is grounded in scientific research, drawing upon established therapeutic modalities to guide teens towards positive outcomes. This commitment to evidence-based approaches ensures the efficacy and reliability of our solution.

Scalability: 

PaperRoad's innovative use of AI and technology enables us to personalize wellness journeys at scale, with the potential to reach millions of teens globally and transform the landscape of youth mental health support.

Measurable Outcomes and Impact Tracking: 

PaperRoad has the ability to deliver tangible improvements to teens' mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing.

Human-Centered Approach

The PaperRoad Wellness Journey is based on HCD principles encouraging teens to: 

1) Empathize - Uncover Their Authentic Self (Identity)

2) Define - Define Their Inner Compass (Values & Beliefs)

3) Ideate - Explore Life Possibilities (Inspiration)

4) Plan - Design Their Life Map (Life Mapping)

5) Implement - Live Their Best Life (Develop Essential Skills)

6) Evolve - Sustaining their journey (Thrive)

We expect our solution to increase long-term happiness and well-being among teens by serving as an ally in their journey of self-improvement and resilience. PaperRoad creates tools that empower lifelong wellness literacy, nurturing a strong and supportive teen wellness community while equipping them with high-quality wellness information.

Through interactive quizzes, journal reflections, and peer support groups, teens gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their challenges, empowering them to make informed decisions and take positive steps towards holistic wellness. By integrating evidence-based therapies with cutting-edge AI algorithms, PaperRoad helps teens develop essential life skills while laying the foundation for long-term well-being and success.

Importantly, PaperRoad promotes equality by providing free access to its comprehensive resources. This ensures that all teens, regardless of their background or financial resources, can benefit from the platform's transformative impact.

By combining advanced technologies and behavioral psychology, PaperRoad enables physical, social, and mental wellness, as well as self-reflection, through personalized wellness journeys. This multifaceted approach addresses the root causes of teen stress and anxiety, empowering them to cultivate lifelong authenticity, self-care, and personal growth.

PaperRoad has set several key impact goals and is committed to rigorously measuring progress towards them:

Improving Quality and Longevity of Life: 

Our goal is to enhance teens' well-being and resilience, laying the foundation for a more fulfilling life and creating a positive ripple effect on future communities and families. We measure progress through user engagement metrics, such as wellness journeys completed, active users, app downloads, time spent on the platform, and interactions with features like quizzes and community forums. We also collect user feedback through surveys and testimonials to assess satisfaction and perceived improvements in well-being.

Fostering Resilience: 

We aim to simplify the path to resilience and well-being through intuitive tools like personalized quizzes, action cards, progress tracking, and roadmaps, guiding teens step-by-step towards their wellness goals. We measure the effectiveness of these features by monitoring changes in user behavior over time, reflecting their progress in promoting resilience and healthy lifestyle choices.

Promoting Connection and Belonging: 

Our goal is to offer a supportive community where teens can share, learn, and grow together, fostering meaningful connections that uplift spirits and enrich lives. We measure outcomes related to reductions in loneliness, improvements in mental health indicators, and increased awareness of mental health and wellness. We also assess involvement in teen-led initiatives and community activities, indicating growing empowerment and social connectedness.

Driving Measurable Outcomes: 

We strive to reduce the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, while boosting overall mental well-being. We track key metrics and user outcomes to assess the platform's effectiveness in improving these critical mental health indicators.

Democratizing Access to Wellness: 

We aim to ensure that all teens, regardless of their background or financial resources, have equal access to high-quality wellness information and tools.

Breaking Down Mental Health Stigma: 

Our goal is to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, turning it into an empowering journey of growth and self-discovery. We assess changes in user attitudes and perceptions towards mental health through surveys, as well as their willingness to openly discuss and seek support.

Changing Teen Perceptions of Wellness: 

We strive to reframe wellness as an exciting adventure filled with possibilities and growth, empowering teens to take ownership of their journey and redefine what it means to be healthy. We track user engagement, satisfaction, and feedback to gauge the platform's impact on how teens perceive and approach their overall well-being.

PaperRoad's solution is powered by our innovative mobile and web application that leverages a range of cutting-edge technologies:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

PaperRoad harnesses advanced AI to uncover hidden insights about teens' well-being, providing personalized recommendations and plans tailored to their unique needs. Our AI-powered platform analyzes data from wearable devices, health apps, and personal preferences to generate customized wellness plans, recommending specific exercises, meal plans, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness practices.

Evidence-Based Therapies Aggregation: 

PaperRoad provides teens with free access to an aggregation of top-tier, evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This empowers teens to proactively manage their well-being and nurture a lifelong path of self-care and personal growth.

Smart Habit Formation: 

Leveraging behavioral science principles and habit formation techniques, our AI-powered coaching features provide personalized feedback, reminders, and incentives to help teens establish and maintain healthy routines. The platform adapts its strategies based on teens' habits, preferences, and progress to optimize engagement and support sustainable behavior change.

Data & Analytics: 

PaperRoad's personalized data-gathering tracks hundreds of wellness data points, uncovering patterns and correlations to provide a holistic view of each teen's well-being. This includes leveraging machine learning to continuously evolve and gain deeper insights into teens' needs over time.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): 

PaperRoad employs NLP and sentiment analysis to monitor teen journal entries, enabling proactive crisis intervention and peer support. This allows us to identify potential mental health concerns and offer timely assistance.

Mobile Sensing: 

Utilizing mobile sensing technology, PaperRoad gains valuable insights into teens' physical and emotional health, informing the delivery of tailored recommendations and support.

Personalization at Scale: 

Through our automated systems, PaperRoad delivers highly personalized recommendations and experiences across all channels, ensuring extreme personalization at scale. Our secure and scalable infrastructure enables seamless data integration and dynamic content delivery, ensuring personalized support is readily accessible to every teen.

Enhanced Social Connection and Support: 

PaperRoad leverages data-driven insights to facilitate meaningful social connections, suggest relevant peer groups and activities, and provide personalized support through chatbots and virtual assistants. By cultivating a sense of belonging and access to diverse support networks, we empower teens to thrive.

Early Intervention: 

PaperRoad's AI-powered predictive models analyze data from various sources to identify potential risk factors for chronic depression and mental health conditions, enabling early intervention and proactive steps toward optimal well-being.

Alexandra Slabakis (she/her/hers) Founder

In addition, we have a network of contractors and freelancers that we collaborate with as needed.

The genesis of PaperRoad began over two years ago when the initial seeds of the idea were first planted. Over the past eight months, we have embarked on an intensive journey of discovery and development. This has included conducting extensive research with teen users, meticulously crafting the framework for our wellness journeys, rigorously beta-testing our platform, and tirelessly building the robust infrastructure to bring PaperRoad to life.

The validation tests of initial concepts provided invaluable insights that have shaped the direction of PaperRoad. Through these early explorations, we gained a deeper understanding of the pain points and aspirations of teens.

At PaperRoad we are committed to building a team that reflects the diverse identities and experiences of the teens we serve, and providing an environment where everyone can thrive.

Accessibility and Accommodations: 

We are dedicated to creating an accessible platform, and providing appropriate accommodations for team members with diverse abilities and needs. For example, our founder, who is hearing-impaired, has been instrumental in minimizing barriers and ensuring our tools are truly inclusive.

Specialized Content and Support: 

To better serve marginalized communities, we hope to incorporate specialized programs and resources, such as the Youth AFFIRM initiative. This evidence-based intervention is designed specifically to support LGBTQ+ youth, addressing identity affirmation, emotion management, and coping strategies. We also have dedicated spaces within the app for teens to connect based on shared identities and experiences.

Inclusive and Gender-Neutral Approach: 

Our platform and internal processes are designed with a genderless or gender-neutral approach, using non-identifying, neutral language and visuals to promote inclusivity. 

Outreach and Accessibility: 

We are committed to bringing our PaperRoad program to underserved communities, particularly in the NYC area, ensuring that all teens have access to our life-changing resources and support.

PaperRoad's business model is designed to provide maximum value and accessibility to our key customers and beneficiaries - teens, educators, and parents seeking comprehensive wellness solutions.

At our core, we operate on a freemium model, offering our mobile and web-based platform free of charge to all teen users. This ensures that our transformative resources and support are available to those who need it most, regardless of their financial situation.

To supplement this free offering and sustain our operations, we have implemented a tiered subscription model. This provides users with the option to upgrade to premium features and services, such as additional personalized coaching, printed wellness plans, and advanced data analytics. By catering to different user needs and budgets, we are able to generate revenue while maintaining our commitment to accessibility.

In addition to our subscription-based offerings, PaperRoad also generates revenue through school workshops and seminars. We partner with educational institutions to deliver impactful wellness training programs for students, teachers, and parents.

Lastly, we are actively pursuing strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, mental health providers, and corporate sponsors. To expand our commitment to whole-person well-being PaperRoad hopes to offer premium teletherapy services through existing organizations like Hopelab and SevenCups.

PaperRoad's strategy for long-term financial sustainability embraces a multi-faceted approach, seamlessly integrating a scalable tiered subscription-based model, strategic alliances, and diverse funding sources.

Subscription Model:

At the core of our revenue plan is a tiered subscription offering. We provide a free basic version of our platform, empowering all teens to access personalized recommendations and wellness plans. For teens seeking enhanced features and more in-depth personalized feedback we offer subscription tiers that cater to their specific needs and budgets.

Therapy Services:

To further bolster our subscription revenue, we plan to partner with existing organizations like hopelab or  tele-therapy providers like Hazel, Vita Health, or 7 cups to offer high-quality, personalized coaching services to our premium subscribers.

Workshops and Events:

Recognizing the immense value we can provide to educational institutions, we will collaborate with schools to host engaging wellness fairs and conduct impactful teen-led workshops on mental health and wellness. It's worth noting that each student lost to mental health challenges can cost a school approximately $15,000 per year in revenue, underscoring the importance of our wellness-focused offerings.

Product Offerings and Subscription Boxes:

Expanding beyond our digital platform, we will offer tangible self-help products, such as printed roadmaps and method cards, to supplement our wellness solutions. We will also explore opportunities to sell branded merchandise related to teen wellness, creating additional revenue streams.

Funding Sources:

To ensure the long-term sustainability of our mission, we will actively seek grants from industry, federal, and state entities to support our community-driven programs. We will also welcome donations from individuals and organizations who share our commitment to promoting teen wellness and expanding our reach.

Evidence of Success:

Our success to date is evidenced by our recognition as finalists in prestigious challenges, such as the IDEO Designing for Digital Thriving and Stanford Longevity challenges. Additionally, our extensive focus group research has yielded overwhelmingly positive feedback from teens, validating the demand for our solution.

Furthermore, we have forged strategic partnerships with esteemed organizations, including the Marymount School of New York, Boys & Girls Club New Rochelle, Gelfund Outreach Center, and the CMU Center for Shared Prosperity.