Reimagining time, circadian health, and daily habits as foundations for student mental health
Owaves is announcing a strategic partnership with 5by5 Agency, a mission-driven, employee-owned marketing firm with a deep track record in healthcare and higher education – two sectors at the center of what many experts now recognize as the number one public health crisis of our time: young adult mental health.
College students and young adults are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, and disengagement. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has described youth mental health as the defining public health challenge of our generation, a view echoed by researchers such as Jonathan Haidt and reinforced by data emerging since the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, about 36% of college students report anxiety diagnoses and 30% report depression diagnoses, according to the 2023 Healthy Minds Study1 and about 76% of college students report moderate to severe psychological distress, indicating widespread impacts beyond formal diagnoses.2 At the same time, circadian disruption – such as irregular schedules, chronic sleep deprivation, and constant digital stimulation – has become normalized in academic life.
Owaves was shaped in response to this reality. By helping individuals align daily routines with the body’s natural rhythms, Owaves reframes time itself as a vital sign for mental health, academic performance, and long-term well-being. As the company sharpens its focus on college students and the higher education ecosystem – an audience that has shaped Owaves through years of feedback – it is entering a pivotal phase of focus and growth.
A Partnership Rooted in Trust, Aligned Values and Healthcare Leadership
This partnership emerged through a network of trusted, mission-aligned relationships within healthcare, higher education, and impact-driven innovation. From the outset, both teams recognized a shared commitment to improving young adult mental health, supporting the higher education market, and exploring innovative ways to build a large-scale movement to inspire the next generation.
What distinguished 5by5 was not only their experience, but their alignment. As an employee-owned agency with a portfolio rooted in healthcare, higher education, and health technology, 5by5 has consistently worked in complex, high-stakes environments where credibility, trust, and long-term impact matter as much as growth.
“At this stage of our journey, we realize that who we partner with matters as much as what we build,” said Dr. Royan Kamyar, Founder and CEO of Owaves. “5by5 is deeply mission and values-driven and aligned… from their parent leadership at 3LS, and throughout the employee-owned organization.”
“Owaves is building something truly meaningful, and we’re excited to help craft storytelling that brings their already compelling vision to life,” said Josh Miller, President of 5by5 Agency. “We’re thrilled to partner with their team to grow brand awareness and adoption.”
Why 5by5, Why Now
5by5’s experience across healthcare systems and higher education institutions makes them uniquely suited to support Owaves’ next chapter – one that begins with individual students and daily routines, while building the credibility and proof points institutions require.
Several factors make 5by5 a natural strategic partner for Owaves at this stage:
- Deep experience in healthcare and higher education, with a public portfolio that includes work with organizations such as the Tennessee Department of Health, Williamson Health, Omni Family of Services, and multiple universities and mission-driven institutions
- Proven ability to operate in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, balancing consumer adoption, institutional trust, and long-term impact
- Employee-owned and mission-first, with a values-driven model that closely aligns with Owaves’ commitment to student well-being
- Based in Nashville, Tennessee, a nationally recognized hub for healthcare systems and health IT innovation
- Strong track record in storytelling, brand strategy, and demand-building, particularly for organizations working at the intersection of health, education, and social impact
Looking Ahead
At its core, this partnership is about impact. By aligning science, storytelling, and strategy, Owaves and 5by5 are working toward a shared goal: educating college students about the importance of circadian rhythms and daily lifestyle habits as evidence-based tools for mental health, academic performance, and long-term well-being. Together, the teams aim to meet students where they are – within real schedules, real pressures, and real campus life – while helping institutions better support student health through prevention, education, and daily practice.
About Owaves:
Owaves is a digital health company optimizing circadian rhythms to promote student flourishing. Our platform helps students build healthier daily routines by promoting better time management, sleep, and rhythm alignment. Today, about 1 in 8 young adults lives with ADHD – a three-fold increase since 2010 – and roughly two-thirds of college students experience significant mental health challenges before graduation, including overwhelming anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. A growing body of evidence points to circadian disruption, poor sleep quality, and difficulties in managing daily routines – often described as “time blindness” – as key underlying drivers of these attentional and emotional struggles. Such chronically misaligned schedules and irregular sleep patterns profoundly undermine academic outcomes, contributing to lower GPAs, reduced graduation rates, and increased dropout risk. Indeed, nearly 40% of college students recently considered withdrawing from school due to emotional stress and mental health concerns. Owaves addresses this critical issue at its root by empowering students to manage their time effectively, realign their circadian rhythms, and cultivate healthier sleep and daily routines – enhancing academic performance, mental wellness, and overall student success, especially for those coping with ADHD, anxiety, or depression. Our app has attracted 1.3 million organic downloads, been previously ranked #1 in Health & Fitness on iPad across 135+ countries, and logged 615 million activities, generating one of the world’s richest behavioral‑rhythm datasets. This engagement powers BodyClock AI™, a subscription coaching service launching this fall, with ADHD as the first target indication. Clinical validation partners include UC San Diego’s Center for Circadian Biology and the Scripps Research Digital Trials Center.
About 5by5 Agency:
5by5 is an award-winning, full-service marketing agency located in Nashville. Born from one simple but heartfelt belief – organizations driven by change deserve access to the best marketing strategies, tools, and implementation available anywhere. Some of the change maker clients it serves include Williamson Health, Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Tech, Medi-Share, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, charity:water and more.