Maryland is joining 10 other states in helping launch the Youth Mental Health Corps, an expansion of access to mental health services and pathways to career opportunities in the mental health field.
The Youth Mental Health Corps will help teenagers access critical mental health resources in addition to creating career pathways that will help address the national shortage of mental-health professionals. The initiative is a collaboration of 11 states including Maryland, the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, America Forward, and AmeriCorps.
“National service is a win-win for addressing the teen mental-health crisis because it allows young adults to support each other peer-to-peer while gaining valuable skills and experience, getting paid, and earning a credential,” said Sheri Schultz, co-founder and chair of the Schultz Family Foundation, in a statement.
The Youth Mental Health Corps is a public-private collaboration with the goal of training people as “navigators” for middle and high school students in their schools and community-based organizations. Corps members will get on-the-job experience, a stipend, and a credential towards advancing their career. They will also be eligible for financial awards to pursue higher education or pay back qualifying student loans.
“One in three high school students report persistent feelings of hopelessness, and approximately 122 million people live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, where there is a shortage of more than 6,000 practitioners, according to the Department of Health and Human Services,” read the press release announcing the initiative.
Social media brings with it levels of deep concern about the mental health of youth as well. Navigators would work with students to help them develop digital and media literacy skills, develop trust, and deal with online social challenges such as bullying, harassment, and bias of many kinds.
“At Pinterest, we’re committed to creating an inspirational and positive online experience for young people,” said Wanji Walcott, chief legal officer with Pinterest, in a statement. “Supporting youth mental health requires everyone across the industry coming together, and we’re proud to support the Youth Mental Health Corps. Together, we’re leveraging our collective expertise to provide youth-led mental health resources and meet young people where they are.”
The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared last year that our nation suffers from an epidemic of loneliness, which has profound impact on our physical and mental health. In his introductory letter to the report on the topic, Murthy wrote,
“Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being. But we have the power to respond. By taking small steps every day to strengthen our relationships, and by supporting community efforts to rebuild social connection, we can rise to meet this moment together. We can build lives and communities that are healthier and happier. And we can ensure our country and the world are better poised than ever to take on the challenges that lay ahead.”
To help address this, the goals of the Youth Mental Health Corps include:
- connecting more youth ages 16 – 24 with mental health support,
- growing the talent pipeline into behavioral health professions by creating easier pathways to pursue careers in mental health, and
- continuing to normalize open and honest conversations around mental health.
Maryland has received planning grants, and will launch its program in 2025, as will California, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Utah. Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas will launch their programs this year.
“We are at a critical moment where we must act with urgency to address the mental health crisis that is impacting millions of our children,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, in a statement. “I am incredibly thankful for our grantees and partners at America Forward, Pinterest, and Schultz Family Foundation for standing up Youth Mental Health Corps. This innovative cross-sector partnership will build on AmeriCorps’ 30 years of hands on experience supporting youth mental health and well being. AmeriCorps members will serve as peer support specialists and navigators at schools and in communities to connect students with care.”
