UShine embraces a better approach to mental health education and tools.
83% of Gen
Zers (18-28) report experiencing mental health concerns - reported as diagnosed & undiagnosed. (Harmony Healthcare, 2025)
In 2021 42% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless.
In 2023 20% of high schoolers nationwide seriously considered suicide. (CDC, 2024)
In 2023 nearly 15,000 U.S. suicides were the reported cause of death in those between 10-34 years of age - 43% of those individuals were 10-24 years of age.
This was the 2nd-leading cause of death in 10-14, 15-24, and 25-34 age groups. (NIMH, 2023)
Nearly 800,000 Oklahomans (1 in 5 ) experience mental health illness every year. (MHH, 2024)
Only 25% of Oklahomans can access the mental healthcare they need.(NAMI, 2025)
Teenagers today face challenges: academic stress, peer pressure, and the daily influence of social media.
These factors - combined with the natural uncertainties of adolescence - can contribute to mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
Just as we celebrate our young people in success and triumphs, let’s also acknowledge the unseen struggles many teens endure.
UShine envisions a world where mental health is not whispered in hushed tones, but is spoken about openly and without judgment.
A world where stigma surrounding mental health is replaced with understanding and support.
Our Four Pillars
-
Spark Passion
U!Shine helps individuals, organizations, and communities share their passion about improving their mental health and helping others do the same. Sharing stories, conversations, and our Healthy Habits© program help guide this engagement.
-
Promote Compassion
U!Shine works to bridge the gap between those who struggle with mental health and those who have found ways to mange theirs by educating communities on the harmful nature of stigmas. This supports community well-being.
-
Focus Proactively
We educate individuals and communities on the early signs and symptoms of common mental illness. We hold open and accepting small-group conversations about critical proactive vs. reactive mental health education and practices.
-
Build Hope
We encourage individuals and communities to take ownership of their mental health. We share tools. We share stories of those living full lives despite a diagnosis, and we create opportunities for people to connect; find support, encouragement, and hope.
The History of UShine
There are many mental-health awareness programs doing wonderful work. We learned few programs are available to teach people HOW to be mentally and emotionally healthy.
In 2016 we worked with a team of counselors, psychologists, personal trainers, nutritionists, relationship experts, higher education professionals, and community leaders.
Together we all discussed the main issues around mental health and we collaboratively developed a solution. We learned it doesn’t matter if you’re 7 or 70. We all can take specific actions to keep ourselves emotionally, mentally, and physically strong.
This collaborative process led to our Healthy Habits©program.
This prevention-based program is a life-changing curriculum for high schools, colleges, workplaces, and communities.
Healthy Habits© small group and individual workbooks (through facilitation by a trained program leader) provide practical tools for building and maintaining strong mental health, emotional connection, and overall wellness.
We hope you become involved and help support our continued community engagement in providing the Healthy Habits© program.
The Passionate People of UShine
Meet our founder, Jenn Winton
Jenn is married to her college love and they have four beautiful daughters together. Being a wife and mom gave her even more courage and power to make a difference not only in her life, but theirs and their community at-large.
“As someone who has dealt with anxiety and depression throughout my life, I have a deep understanding about the struggles and darkness that oftentimes cause those struggling to remain silent in order to “fit in”. Hope and healing that can be found through a holistic approach to mental health. This was the heart behind U!Shine.
I’m grateful for the powerful professionals who came together with the same passion for mental health in teens and young adults (and communities) to help build the foundational program, Healthy Habits©.
Our UShine team feels driven to share not only my story of hope, but also to share hope through the UShine Healthy Habits program within our communities. We all feel passionate about helping everyone come to a place of mental resiliency.
Together we all help break the debilitating and isolating stigmas that often come with mental health concerns. When we share stories of the many beautiful, creative, and successful people who live full and amazing lives despite a diagnosis of mental illness, we create a path for others to openly share and to feel the love and support of a community.
This has the power to save lives. Thank you for being part of our story.”
Meet Our Team
-

Meredith Schneberger
Board President, Measurement Manager at Devon Energy
-

Madeleine Bell M.S.
Parent Educator, Sunbeam Family Services
-

Kristy K Boone
Interim Exec. Dir., CEO/Founder, Premium Impact, LLC
-

Justin Bozarth
Board Member, General Manager, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton - Norman
-

Lori Budde
Board Member, Risk Professional
-

Jordan Hoffmeister, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
-

Thomas Hornbeek
Board Member, Managing Attorney, Hornbeek & Wadley, P.L.L.C.
-

Bobby Kern, PhD
Board Member, Chair & Professor, Family Science & Psychology at Oklahoma Christian University
-

Jenn Winton
Founder, Ex Officio, Art Gallery Manager at Red Earth

