In Bucharest, Romania, Mario Baluta, a teenager passionate about mental health advocacy, founded The Unheard Voices, an international NGO that has since become the hope for those struggling in silence. What sets Mario Baluta apart is not only his age but his approach to tackling one of society’s most pressing issues.
“Before creating The Unheard Voices, I was in a dark place, like many kids nowadays. During that time, I learned a lot of things,” Mario Baluta shares. “Only when the sky is darkest do we see the stars. This became our mission. We set out to fill the sky with the light of a million bright stars—and we did.”
Mario Baluta’s journey began with a simple yet profound goal to destigmatize mental illness. Today, his organization has reached over one million people globally through creative campaigns and community-driven initiatives.
Lighting the Way of Mental Health Advocacy
The mental health landscape is filled with challenges—stigma, lack of resources, and systemic gaps in care. In the United States alone, nearly 20% of adults experience mental illness annually, yet less than half receive treatment. For teens and young adults, the statistics are even more alarming, with rising rates of anxiety and depression underscoring an urgent need for action.
Mario Baluta’s The Unheard Voices uses digital platforms and creative marketing strategies to address these gaps. The organization has managed to engage younger demographics in ways that traditional advocacy often fails to achieve.
“We’re both raising awareness and changing perceptions,” Baluta says. “Through interviews with celebrities, leaders, and influencers, we’re making mental health a topic that’s not only acceptable to discuss but essential.”
One of the organization’s most impactful initiatives was providing free mental health support sessions to Ukrainian refugees in Bucharest.
A New Model for Youth-Led Advocacy
What makes Mario Baluta’s approach truly game-changing is its youth-led model. Unlike traditional NGOs operating from a top-down perspective, The Unheard Voices empowers teens to take charge of their narratives. This grassroots strategy resonates with younger audiences and ensures that the proposed solutions are both relevant and effective. “Teens understand teens,” Baluta says. “We know what works because we’ve lived it.”
The organization’s use of social media has been particularly effective in amplifying its message. From Instagram campaigns featuring personal stories to TikTok videos breaking down complex mental health topics, The Unheard Voices meets its audience where they are—online.
This digital-first strategy has garnered widespread attention, earning the NGO recognition as one of Europe’s most innovative mental health organizations. It also highlights Baluta’s belief in the power of technology as a tool for social change.
Voices Heard Around the Globe
As The Unheard Voices expands its reach across the United States and Europe, Mario Baluta believes in creating a stigma-free world. His vision includes scaling the organization’s digital initiatives while partnering with policymakers and other stakeholders to address systemic barriers.
“We’ve come so far, but there’s still so much work to do,” he notes. “Mental health is a universal issue, and it requires a universal response.”
