The Youth Mental Health Corps in Minnesota, aimed at supporting middle and high school students’ mental well-being, is facing uncertainty as federal funding cuts threaten its future. The program, which provides vital support to students navigating personal challenges such as home life, friendships, or school pressures, may struggle to expand as planned next year.
Anjali Hay, a 20-year-old AmeriCorps participant, works at Murray Middle School, where she supports students with various issues. “They feel they can come to me as a trusted adult,” Hay said, noting that many students feel lost in a large school system. Her role is crucial in helping students feel seen and heard, which, she says, is reflected in improvements in their attendance and academic performance.
Minnesota was one of the first states to launch the Youth Mental Health Corps, which currently serves over 1,200 students this school year. The program also helps around 200 young adults in recovery from addiction. The initiative comes at a time when youth mental health is deteriorating nationwide, and Minnesota faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals, ranking third in the country for worst student-to-counselor ratios.
However, the program’s future is in jeopardy after cuts to AmeriCorps funding by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite this, officials are optimistic that the program will continue and even expand next September. “Everyone is waiting to see what happens,” said Richard Terrell, Assistant Principal at Murray Middle School. Terrell has seen firsthand the positive impact of the program, noting that students’ academic performance and attitudes improved under Hay’s guidance.
While the program is praised by many, some professionals have raised concerns about the level of training provided to corps members. Sydney Piras, chair-elect of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, expressed reservations about the program’s effectiveness in dealing with complex mental health issues with limited training. “It’s a great premise, but professionals in the field worry about the lack of proper preparation,” Piras said.
Piras advocates for a more extensive training period, suggesting that corps members should undergo at least a year of training before working with young people on mental health or recovery issues. She emphasized the importance of being in a solid place personally before helping others, especially for those who have faced their own mental health or substance use challenges.
Some corps members in Minnesota, like those working with the AmeriCorps Recovery Corps, undergo more rigorous training, including over 40 hours of coursework. These individuals, typically with at least one year of sustained recovery, assist others in navigating addiction recovery. Similarly, AmeriCorps Promise Fellows, who help students stay engaged in school, receive eight hours of mental health first aid training. This certification helps them identify students in crisis and connect them with professionals.
Kate Suchomel, from the Minnesota Alliance With Youth, explained that corps members serve as an important bridge between students and educators. “They don’t have the same associations with grades or discipline, so students feel comfortable approaching them,” she said.
Next year, the program plans to expand by offering corps members a certificate in mental and behavioral health from Century College while they serve. The program’s creators remain hopeful that continued funding will allow them to grow, despite the federal cuts impacting similar programs in other states.
In addition to government funding, private entities such as the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest have contributed to the program’s success. With Minnesota receiving $500,000 in private donations, organizers are optimistic that further support from states and other organizations will ensure the program’s survival.
The Youth Mental Health Corps focuses on preventative care, helping young people who may not be in crisis but are struggling with their mental health. Alise Marshall, with Pinterest, described the program as a way to connect youth with near-peer mentors who understand the pressures they face, including those from social media.
Joshua Ramirez, a 27-year-old corps member and former addict, shared how his personal experiences shaped his approach to supporting others. “The main thing is really just being able to share my experiences and offer compassion,” he said. “In my past, I didn’t get a lot of that.”
As the future of the Youth Mental Health Corps hangs in the balance, its impact on students and communities cannot be denied. Whether it continues to expand or faces setbacks, the need for such programs is clear.
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