What the WellNest app promises

■ Habit Tracking & Smart Reminders – for appointments, medications, and self-care.

■ Positive Affirmations – daily motivational messages to uplift users.

■ Expert Videos – practical advice from licensed mental health professionals.

■ Mood Logging & Progress Tracking – to help users understand and manage emotions.

Free Journaling & Guided Reflection – including gratitude lists and thought exercises

Madhuri Dasagrandhi | Hyderabad 

While most teenagers are busy planning their future, 17-year-old Lasya Penumalli is busy building one — not just for herself, but for those who quietly carry the weight of others’ worlds.

A student of CHIREC International School, Lasya is the force behind WellNest, a mental health initiative with a powerful mission: to support caregivers — the unsung heroes who dedicate their lives to looking after others, yet often receive little to no support themselves.

What began in 2022 as a humble series of counselling sessions in government schools across Hyderabad has blossomed into a full-fledged mental health platform. From addressing emotional burnout to offering structured support systems, WellNest is tackling an issue too often ignored by mainstream mental health efforts.

Now, with the launch of its mobile app slated for next month, WellNest is preparing to scale its impact — reaching caregivers across the country and redefining how India supports those who support everyone else.

Currently in its testing phase, the app is already being used by caregivers through its web version, accessible on any device. The mobile app will be available for free download on Google Play and the App Store in November 2025, compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Users can continue accessing the web version until then.

A personal journey of empathy

Watching her father care for her grandfather, who had stage-4 lymphoma, gave Lasya a firsthand look at the emotional and physical toll caregiving takes. Visits to government schools deepened her awareness, as she met students juggling studies and sick family members. “Caregivers spend their days looking after others. It’s time someone looked after them,” she says.

Noticing that most mental health platforms focused on patients, Lasya set out to fill the gap. Over the past year, she’s led the design and development of WellNest, turning her passion into a tech-driven solution with real-world impact.

Expanding reach and impact

Since its inception, WellNest has reached over 500 individuals through its web platform, school sessions, and collaborations. The initiative has also expanded beyond Hyderabad, partnering with organizations such as the Standard Sunrise Foundation in Delhi to support caregivers across India.

A major highlight is the AI-powered community forum, a first-of-its-kind digital support space for caregivers. The system uses sentiment analysis to detect early signs of burnout and provides real-time support through personalized recommendations and preventive tools.

Looking forward, Lasya aims to expand WellNest’s reach to rural communities through regional language versions and introduce tele-counseling features by collaborating with mental health professionals nationwide.