What's Happening?
The Team: Changing Minds project, an initiative by Futures Without Violence in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and The National Council of Mental Well-Being, is training informal mentors such as youth athletic coaches and online gaming
community moderators. This largely online program has trained approximately 100,000 'everyday responders' and aims to reach over 1.1 million young people by the end of the year. The curriculum includes online sessions and follow-up support to help mentors model mentally healthy behaviors and respond to mental health challenges. The initiative is supported by funders who aim to improve mentor skills and broaden the pool of adults equipped to serve as mentors.
Why It's Important?
This initiative addresses a critical gap in mental health support by empowering informal mentors to act as early responders and resource providers. By training mentors to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, the program aims to normalize mental well-being, particularly among young men who are less likely to seek help. The program's success could lead to a broader acceptance and implementation of similar mentorship models, potentially reducing the stigma around mental health issues and increasing access to support for young people.
What's Next?
The program seeks additional investors to sustain and scale its efforts, with a goal of reaching more than 11 million young men, especially in rural areas where informal supports are more prevalent than school counselors. The initiative is part of a wider effort to 'rebrand' mentoring as critical infrastructure that connects young people to opportunities and social capital.
