Destigmatizing Brain & Mental Health

435+ participants, 25 countries, one mission—bringing empathy to neuroscience.

About Sonja

Sonja Xie is a high school senior from Westchester, NY, passionate about neuroscience, mental health advocacy, and community empowerment. She founded Brain Waves for Change (BWC) to challenge stigma around brain and mental health illness through creative, arts-based programs.

Beyond her nonprofit work, Sonja interns at the Yale School of Medicine, contributes to the Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club, and advocates with NAMI Next Gen. She is also a USA Brain Bee Finalist and has been published in Schizophrenia Research.

Project Overview

Brain Waves for Change (BWC) is a student-led nonprofit dedicated to destigmatizing neurological and mental illness through education and outreach. Since 2024, BWC has engaged 435+ participants across 25 countries, with a team spanning five continents. Using art as a transformative tool, BWC fosters creativity and connection while promoting empathy and understanding for those affected by brain and mental health conditions.

Instagram: @brainwavesforchange

Website: Brain Waves For Change

Support Sonja's Journey

Here are some ways you can help support her entry into the Digital4Good Summit to bring growth and awareness to her project.

Sponsor Sonja

Your sponsorship will help cover food, transportation, and lodging, enabling her to gain the training needed to enhance her impactful work with Brain Waves for Change.

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