Texas schools are facing rising rates of youth depression, anxiety, and social isolation, challenges made more urgent by a shortage of mental health professionals. To help meet this need, Communities In Schools of North Texas partnered with the Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) to expand student supports during after-school and summer programs. 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 Denton, Texas, a YMHC member provided emotional check-ins, coping strategies, and group activities that helped students feel seen and supported by building trust and offering students a safe space to navigate stress at home and school. Early outcomes show improvements in academic performance, behavior, and promotion rates among students engaged by YMHC members. The initiative also supports workforce development for behavioral health careers while expanding access to mental health services in underserved Texas communities. 

WestEd conducted a case study in Texas 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.

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