Mental Moji wins Rep. Bennie Thompson’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Mississippi’s Second District

Rep. Bennie Thompson has named Edna Drakes-Washington, Jalore Myles, Tristan Brown, and LyNiah Henderson of Nichols Middle School as the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Mississippi’s Second District. Their app Mental Moji is a digital wellness platform designed to help users improve their mental health and emotional well-being through daily mindfulness and self-care practices.

When asked what inspired the creation of Mental Moji, the students said, “Our inspiration to create the Mental Moji app came from witnessing the silent struggles of our peers—students who were clearly battling mental health challenges but didn’t know where to turn for help. Many of us have seen friends who were overwhelmed by academic pressure, family expectations, or personal insecurities, yet felt too afraid or ashamed to express what they were feeling. Others simply didn’t have access to mental health resources or a safe space to talk about their emotions. We realized that, although schools often emphasize academic success, emotional well-being is just as important—and too often overlooked.

“That realization pushed our team to design an app that could bridge that gap. We wanted to create something simple, private, and supportive—something that could help students learn to recognize, express, and regulate their emotions in a healthy way. Mental Moji was built to give students a safe space to pause, reflect, and breathe; a tool that empowers them to care for their mental health without fear of judgment. Our hope is that this app encourages open conversations about mental wellness and reminds students that they are not alone in their struggles.”