The Biden administration will be launching the Youth Mental Health Corps initiative in the fall to address the mental health crisis among youth in the U.S. This program, a first of its kind, will recruit and train young adults aged 18 to 24 to support their peers in navigating mental health issues. The volunteers will receive training and certification to assist youth in schools, community organizations, and health clinics, while also opening up potential career paths in mental health. The initiative aims to provide support in states with limited mental health resources and was created by AmeriCorps, the Schultz Family Foundation, and other organizations.
The mental health crisis among youth in the U.S. has become a pressing public health issue, with an increasing number of young people experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Experts suggest that the rise in mental health issues may be linked to factors such as isolation, rejection, and the negative impact of social media on adolescent mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movements in 2020 also contributed to a higher risk of mental health problems among Black and indigenous youth. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy emphasized that prior to the pandemic, there was already a significant increase in suicide rates among young people.
The initiative will initially be rolled out in four states – Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas – with plans to expand to at least seven other states in the following year. These states were selected based on the lack of mental health services available for youth, with data showing high rates of youth with depression not receiving necessary mental health support. Additionally, Texas and Colorado are among the top 10 states with the worst mental health care in the country, further highlighting the need for intervention in these regions. The surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation in these states has also negatively impacted the mental health of LGBTQ youth, with a majority reporting negative repercussions from the legislation.
In Colorado, LGBTQ youth feel particularly marginalized and unable to be themselves in school, indicating a need for peer support and mental health resources. The Youth Mental Health Corps program aims to address these issues by providing peer support in schools and communities. The program has the potential to make a significant impact on mental health outcomes for youth, especially those who are marginalized or underserved. The initiative has the support of various organizations and stakeholders, signaling a collaborative effort to address the mental health crisis among youth in the U.S.
The Youth Mental Health Corps initiative is seen as a crucial step in addressing the mental health needs of youth in the U.S. and creating a supportive environment for young people to thrive. By recruiting and training young adults to provide peer support and mental health services, the program aims to fill gaps in mental health care and provide much-needed resources to those in need. The support for the initiative from organizations, the government, and the public signals a shift towards prioritizing mental health and addressing the challenges facing youth in today’s society. As the program expands to additional states, it has the potential to make a significant impact on mental health outcomes for youth across the country.
