HAAL was conceived and developed by Maya Sharma, a student at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois. Watching peers navigate the intense pressures of high school academics, social changes, and emotional turbulence, Maya realized that while teens were increasingly open about mental health struggles, they lacked accessible, privacy-first tools designed specifically for their needs.
In 2023, Maya submitted HAAL to the Congressional App Challenge representing Illinois's 14th Congressional District, hosted by U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood. HAAL was selected as the Official District Winner for its intuitive interface, thoughtful feature set, and deep commitment to youth safety.
The word "Haal" (हाल) translates to state of being, emotional condition, or simply "how you are doing" in Hindi and Urdu. When friends ask "Kya haal hai?" ("How are you?"), it is an invitation for genuine, open connection. HAAL creates that quiet conversational check-in for the user, on their own device, every single day.
As a Congressional App Challenge winner, HAAL was showcased to Members of Congress in Washington, D.C., during the annual #HouseOfCode event at the U.S. Capitol, standing among the most innovative student-developed software in the United States.