In Colorado, the Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) is transforming student support by deploying young adults with lived experience to provide mental health support for students. Launched in 2024, the initiative engages young adults as near-peer mental health navigators in schools and community organizations, helping connect families to resources, promote healthy behaviors, and address the growing impact of social media on youth well-being. In a state where one in four middle school students reports persistent sadness or hopelessness, YMHC members provide daily, relationship-centered support that helps students feel seen, connected, and capable of thriving.  

WestEd conducted a case study in Colorado of the state’s newly launched YMHC program to capture early implementation experiences and inform future program development nationwide. WestEd is documenting program 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.

Partnering with Colorado Youth for a Change, the YMHC equips members with training, mentorship, and stackable credentials to prepare them for future careers in behavioral health. This dual approach strengthens schools by addressing students’ immediate needs while building a sustainable mental health workforce. For many students, the program is making mental health support more accessible, relatable, and effective. The program’s early success demonstrates the potential for relationship-centered mental health support to transform student well-being and academic engagement. This success has led to plans for expansion in other schools. 

Watch the video to gain additional insight into the YMHC’s work in Colorado. 

Read the comprehensive WestEd report summarizing initial experiences and implementation lessons for the YMHC as well as the state-specific reports here.