Empowering Youth Mental Health
We’re proud to partner with Team: Changing Minds to support youth mental wellbeing — especially among young men. We do this through early intervention, peer connection and mental health education.
What Is Team: Changing Minds?
En Team: Changing Minds initiative helps young people across the U.S. thrive. It trains trusted peers and adults to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and connect youth to care. Launched in 2022, it is a partnership among the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Futures Without Violence, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and founding investor Harry’s. Its work centers on early action — before a challenge becomes a crisis.
Por qué es importante la salud mental de los jóvenes
Young people are facing a rise in mental health challenges — and early support makes a critical difference. That’s why our work with Team: Changing Minds focuses on education, connection and prevention with Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
10.2 %
of youth will be diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
1 in 6
U.S. youth experience a mental disorder each year.
50 %
of mental illnesses begin by age 14.
Nuestro impacto
Through our partnership, the National Council has awarded over 80 Youth MHFA Instructor scholarships to adults who work to advance the Team: Changing Minds mission. These leaders host MHFA trainings on behalf of Team: Changing Minds, helping people in their communities to:
- Recognize youth mental health challenges: Spotting the signs of anxiety, depression, ADHD and more.
- Respond to mental health crises: Understanding how to best support youth who are facing mental health struggles.
- Connect youth with resources: Guiding them to professional help and other sources of support where they live.
- Address key issues: Exploring the impacts of trauma, substance use, social media and bullying on youth mental health.
Voces
Rev. Dr. Christian Frazier
Instructor de MHFA para jóvenes
“Mental health remains a topic many avoid, but Team: Changing Minds provides a platform that makes learning both engaging and impactful. My background in acting and stand-up comedy allows me to bring humor and storytelling into the classroom. I strive to make my trainings immersive, and when participants say, “You’re the best teacher I’ve ever had,” it affirms that learning mental health skills can be enjoyable while saving lives.”
Chris James
Instructor de MHFA para jóvenes
“I was inspired to apply for the Team: Changing Minds grant for Youth MHFA because I wanted to be even more equipped to do this work we do daily. I wanted to be able to serve the parents, educators and community members who serve these boys. I knew how much Youth MHFA inspired me and felt obligated to take that same feeling and inspiration back to my community.”
Join Our Efforts!
You can make a difference in just one hour by training as a Team: Changing Minds Responder. The action-oriented course will help you support youth who are facing mental health challenges. For deeper learning, we also offer Youth MHFA training. This full-day, evidence-based course is available online or in person.
