June 7th 2024.
In light of the continuously evolving mental health crisis affecting young people in America, a groundbreaking program has been established to reach out to them where they are. The Youth Mental Health Corps is training young individuals to assist their peers, and Natalie Santiago, one of the key figures behind this initiative, couldn't be prouder. She believes that this program would have been immensely valuable during her own challenging upbringing. Santiago grew up with an abusive and drug-addicted father, and her grandmother, who struggled to make ends meet, would often encourage her to "pray on it" when faced with mental obstacles. She sees the Corps as a critical resource for today's youth, as reported by NBC News.
Despite facing many challenges, Santiago managed to defy the odds and pursue a successful career in education, philanthropy, and public service. She has held positions at the Department of Education and the Department of Labor under President Barack Obama, and more recently, she served in a role at the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General under President Joe Biden. Today, she is dedicated to helping young people navigate the difficulties of growing up, which ultimately impact how they present themselves to the world.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Santiago asked herself, "What would 16-year-old me have needed?" This question led her to help launch the Youth Mental Health Corps. The program is set to launch in the fall of 2024 and will initially be deployed in four states. Its mission is to address the country's youth mental health crisis, which Surgeon General Murthy has called "the defining public health issue of our time."
According to the 2021 Surgeon General's Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health, "1 out of 3 high school students reported persistent feelings of hopelessness," and "the second leading cause of death for youth between 10 and 14 is suicide." With the backing of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that leads volunteering and national service in the U.S., this first-of-its-kind initiative will recruit young volunteers to assist other youngsters who are struggling with mental health issues. These volunteers will receive training and a state-specific credential in the behavioral health field, allowing them to work for one or two years, depending on their preference. They will be placed in schools, nonprofits, and community organizations with the mission of connecting their fellow youth to the mental health support they need. In addition, they will receive a stipend to cover living costs during their service.
Santiago is confident that this program will not only address the mental health needs of young people but also increase the number of young individuals pursuing studies and careers in fields like social work or psychology. Supported by funders such as the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, and America Forward, the program will initially launch in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas. By the fall of 2025, the goal is to expand to 11 states, with a focus on those with a high Latino population, including California, New Jersey, New York, and Utah.
Kiara Alvarez, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, acknowledges that the lack of access to mental health services for Black and Latino youth has been an ongoing crisis for decades. She believes that the recent attention and openness to discussing youth mental health is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done.
The Corps is actively seeking individuals aged 18 to 24 with a high school diploma to serve as volunteers. Part-time and full-time positions will also be available for those interested in joining the program. This initiative aligns with the Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund, which aims to support frontline reporters in maintaining their mental well-being. It is clear that the Youth Mental Health Corps is a much-needed and commendable effort in tackling the pressing issue of youth mental health in our nation.
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