Nationally, the mental health of young people is one of the top concerns, and a program that makes a great difference is that of engaging young adults mostly in finding solutions to youth mental health. The Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) is now in its second year and has grown from 4 to 11 states for the 2025, 2026 school year, so 600 near, peer members are being sent to communities with limited educational and other resources to carry out youth mental health work.
These members who, in most cases, are just a couple of years older than the students they serve, run schools and community venues where, on the one hand, they organize group sessions, do outreach, and, on the other, they facilitate access to professional care for teens when necessary.
Early evaluation from WestEd shows that schools hosting Corps members are seeing fewer behavioral referrals, better attendance, and more students seeking help for youth mental health concerns. For students, talking to someone close to their age about anxiety, stress, or family issues can feel safer than walking into an office labeled “counselor.” The program also boosts youth mental health by creating entry‑level, paid service roles that give young adults a pathway into careers in psychology, social work, education, and community health.
Leaders describe the Corps as a “win‑win” for youth mental health: struggling teens gain relatable support, and young adults gain purpose and job skills. Governors from both parties have praised the model, and seven additional states are preparing to launch their own youth mental health corps programs by fall 2026. For families and educators who have watched teens suffer in silence, the growing network of near‑peer helpers feels like a tangible step toward a culture where youth mental health is recognized, respected, and actively protected.
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