#United States #New York #Youth Mental Health #JED Foundation #America’s Promise Alliance

The New Institute for Youth Mental Health

In a significant partnership aimed at improving mental health support for young people, The Jed Foundation (JED) has joined forces with America's Promise Alliance (APA) to establish an innovative initiative known as the Institute for Youth Mental Health. Announced on September 25, 2025, this groundbreaking program seeks to bolster emotional health resources within community-based organizations (CBOs) to help prevent suicide and provide necessary mental health support to over 1.8 million youth across the nation.

Addressing Youth Mental Health Needs

The emotional well-being of adolescents and young adults has become an urgent public health concern. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among youths, it is critical to implement effective strategies within environments they frequent. The Institute for Youth Mental Health aims to integrate mental health supports into spaces where young people already feel safe and supported, such as schools, community centers, and other youth-serving organizations.

With JED's established framework for mental health promotion and suicide prevention, the initiative will work closely with a select cohort of APA member organizations over an 18-month period. This collaboration will equip these organizations with essential training, resources, strategic planning tools, and hands-on support to effectively address mental health issues among the youth they serve.

Cohort of Dedicated Organizations

The inaugural cohort of the Institute includes 15 notable organizations dedicated to supporting youth. These participants are:

• - 10,000 Degrees
• - 826 National
• - Access Opportunity
• - Camp Fire
• - Civics Unplugged
• - Colorado Youth for a Change
• - DREAM
• - Friends of the Children
• - Let's Get Ready
• - Literacy Lab
• - Peer Health Exchange
• - Summer Search
• - The Opportunity Network
• - Youth Guidance
• - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

By engaging these organizations, the Institute aims to create a replicable model of mental health support that can be extended to broader nonprofit networks to enhance care availability across various platforms.

A Vision for Integrated Supports

JED CEO John MacPhee emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "At JED, we believe that weaving mental health support into youth-serving institutions is one of the most powerful ways to prevent crises before they happen." By providing tailored tools and training, the Institute will enable organizations to meet the evolving needs of youth and implement comprehensive strategies to mitigate mental health crises effectively.

Mike O'Brien, CEO of APA, highlighted the overwhelming feedback from leaders within the youth-serving nonprofit sector who indicate that mental health support often falls on front-line staff. Many of these workers are uniquely positioned to assist youth but frequently do so while facing significant resource constraints. Therefore, empowering these community-based leaders can enhance their ability to provide timely and relevant care.

Building Community and Connection

Participating in the Institute for Youth Mental Health not only grants access to valuable resources but also fosters a sense of community among organizations dedicated to uplifting and improving youth lives. Terri Sorensen, CEO of Friends of the Children-National, shared her excitement about joining this initiative. She noted, "Connection to this community affords Friends of the Children the opportunity to embed new strategies within our organization to promote mental health for the youth we serve."

Conclusion

The launch of the Institute for Youth Mental Health by The Jed Foundation and America's Promise Alliance represents a vital step towards ensuring that mental health support becomes an integral part of the programs delivered by community organizations. As this initiative unfolds, it is poised to make significant strides in combatting youth mental health issues and fostering a culture that values emotional well-being. With the support of organizations like The Goodness Web and Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation, there’s a promising future for youth mental health services across America.

For more information on the Institute for Youth Mental Health and its impact, visit The Jed Foundation's website and stay connected as this transformative program evolves.