Local Partnerships, National Impact: Year 1 of the Youth Mental Health Corps
October 3, 2025
The Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) addresses America’s youth mental health crisis through an innovative dual-purpose approach that connects students with mental health resources while building the behavioral health workforce. Launched in September 2024 through a partnership between the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, and AmeriCorps, the YMHC program deployed 317 young adult members across four states to serve as near-peer mental health navigators in schools and community organizations.
To inform future program development nationwide, WestEd conducted four case studies in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas and produced a comprehensive report summarizing initial findings and implementation lessons related to the YMHC. WestEd is documenting impacts, workforce development opportunities, and lessons learned to inform policymakers, educators, and investors. This work was led by Tracy A. Huebner, PhD, Director of Special Programs and Initiatives at WestEd’s Center for Economic Mobility.
In year one, YMHC members served more than 16,000 community members and helped reduce behavioral referrals while improving student attendance. The relationship-centered approach is observed to create powerful conditions for engagement, with young adults serving as trusted bridges who help students seek help and connect to professional care. Beyond providing immediate support, the program builds a sustainable workforce pipeline—members completed more than 130 certifications, with 20% securing employment before completing service.
With 18 states participating now or planning future launches through 2026, the YMHC represents a scalable model addressing both urgent student needs and long-term workforce development.
WestEd conducted case studies across four inaugural YMHC states using mixed-methods approaches. Implementation experiences are presented in customized case studies and a comprehensive report summarizing initial findings and implementation lessons.
Read the additional state-specific reports here.
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