Empowering Youth: Krishnni Khanna on Advocacy, Resilience, and Inner Well-being

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes a remarkable young guest, Krishnni Khanna, a high school student, author, and TEDx speaker. Born in India and now residing in Austin, Texas, Krishnni is the founder of Detox In Mind, a student-led movement dedicated to supporting youth dealing with stress, shame, exclusion, and isolation.

Krishnni’s Journey to Advocacy

• From Exclusion to Empowerment:
• Krishnni shares her early experiences of moving to the United States at the age of 10 and facing exclusion due to her background and accent.
• Personal Reflection:
• After moving to Texas, she began reflecting on how these experiences impacted her self-esteem and confidence.

The Birth of Detox In Mind

• Starting Small:
• Krishnni launched Detox In Mind in 2022 with a workshop in India, encouraging participants to anonymously share and support one another through their struggles.
• Growth and Impact:
• The success of the workshop led to collaborations, webinars, a TEDx talk, and podcast appearances to further her mission.

TEDx Talk: Speaking Truth to Power

• The Topic:
• Krishnni’s talk, “How Does a Lie Become True?”, was inspired by her experiences of internalizing false narratives.
• The Process:
• She describes the challenges and preparation involved, including drafting four versions of her speech and practicing with a coach.
• Key Message:
• The importance of thinking critically and questioning beliefs to prevent falsehoods from taking root

Strategies for Resilience

• "Is It True?" Exercise:
• A practical approach proposed by her father to combat internalized negativity by focusing on evidence that supports positive self-perception.
• Building Self-Awareness:
• Krishnni emphasizes the need for consistent practice and effort to overcome negative narratives.

How Detox In Mind Supports Youth

• Workshops:
• Interactive sessions with mental health professionals.
• Digital Resources:
• A dedicated app featuring meditation audios, journaling tools, and a podcast series called “What’s Your Story?”.
• Advocacy Through Social Media:
• Blogs and Instagram posts to raise awareness about mental health topics.

Broader Implications of Misinformation

• Individual and Societal Effects:
• Krishnni discusses how misinformation, both on a personal and societal level, negatively impacts self-perception and collective ideologies.
• The Role of Repetition:
• She highlights how repeated falsehoods can influence individuals and communities alike.

Krishnni’s Message to Youth

• Dare to Think Critically:
• Encouraging youth to question their beliefs and the information they encounter to prevent false narratives from taking hold.
• The Power of Resilience:
• Krishnni’s journey illustrates that even young individuals can make a difference through advocacy and self-belief.

Krishnni’s Book

• "I Am Not Who You See":
• A fictionalized novel inspired by her experiences, told through the diary of a protagonist navigating cultural differences and exclusion.

Future Goals and Vision

• Expanding Detox In Mind:
• Plans to integrate research, collaborate with nonprofits, and write another book.
• Educational Aspirations:
• Krishnni aims to study psychology, business, and neuroscience to continue her advocacy for mental health.

Links and Resources

• Learn more about Dr. Allen Lycka: www.drallenlycka.com
• Check out Krishnni Khanna’s work with Detox In Mind.

BIO:

Krishnni Khanna was born in India in 2007 and moved to the United States with her

parents in 2017. Krishnni is a high schooler, author and TEDx speaker who advocates for the inner well-being of youth. In 2022 she created Detoximind (www.detoximind.com), a student-led movement through which Krishnni and her team bring peer-based support to teens and youth grappling with stress, shame, exclusion and isolation. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her parents and their puppy Yuki.

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/krishnnikhanna/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnni-khanna/