In a world where mental health conversations are often whispered, Ramya Tulasi Dega has chosen to speak and listen loudly, compassionately, and without judgement. The Vijayawada-born changemaker is the founder of Healing Circle USA, creating a new language of healing that blends empathy, creativity, and leadership for young people navigating emotional challenges.
The turning point came in 2019 when Ramya lost a close friend to suicide. What began as grief became a mission: to create spaces where young people could speak, feel, and heal without fear or shame.
Born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Ramya studied financial economics at Madras University, once dreaming of a civil service career. Her path shifted when she moved to the United States for a master’s in entrepreneurial leadership at Texas A&M University, where she discovered that compassion and strategy could coexist and that leadership could also mean healing.
During graduate school, she met her roommate, Swetha Maadugula, who shared her passion for mental health advocacy. Their late-night conversations evolved into the foundation of a collective movement for healing.
In January 2023, they launched Healing Circle USA, a youth-led nonprofit reimagining how young adults experience mental health. Through creative workshops, mindfulness sessions, and open conversations, they build safe spaces for expression and connection.
The journey wasn’t easy. As international students, Ramya and Swetha faced criticism for their unconventional approach, but every challenge strengthened their resolve. Their first “Healing Through Art” session at Texas A&M, with over 30 students sharing personal stories, marked a milestone.
Today, Healing Circle USA is recognised by UNLEASH MindForward, RIVET, and the EforAll Business Accelerator. For Ramya, healing is both personal and universal — a reminder that every scar holds strength, and every story can heal another.
