Since 2024, Peer Health Exchange (PHE) has been a proud partner of the Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC). Conceived of by the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest with input from hundreds of experts and practitioners, the YMHC was created to address the youth mental health crisis, workforce shortages, and the evolving stressors that affect young people's wellbeing, including digital and social media environments. Launched with AmeriCorps, state service commissions, national philanthropies, and corporate partners, the YMHC leverages national service to expand support for youth while creating meaningful career pathways for young adults.
Peer Health Exchange supports the Youth Mental Health Corps by fostering a vibrant and supportive environment where members connect, learn, and grow. Through PHE-facilitated Virtual Networking Gatherings, 500 members have the opportunity to share experiences, celebrate success and find support from peers in the same journey. PHE also manages the Youth Mental Health Corps’ Learning Management System, a digital platform packaged with tools to support member well-being and professional growth, including on-demand training modules, and valuable tools.
The organization facilitates monthly trainings on topics like mental health education, youth advocacy, and handling secondary trauma from mentors and experts. In addition to providing peer support spaces for all YMHC members, PHE has developed and implemented a Fellows Leadership Program that amplifies the voices of YMHC members nationwide and equips emerging leaders with the skills to translate lived experience into collective action, influence systems, and advance youth-centered mental health solutions. Lastly, in order to support the modification and improvement of the program, Peer Health Exchange tracks program insights and outcomes.
"The Youth Mental Health Corps aligns perfectly with Peer Health Exchange’s mission to build healthier communities with young people. As we aim to do at PHE, The Youth Mental Health Corps serves youth wherever they are: schools, afterschool programs, community health centers, and youth-centered organizations," said Peer Health Exchange CEO Angela Glymph, PhD.
Our collective goal is to increase the capacity of schools, community-based organizations, community health clinics, and behavioral health organizations to best respond to the youth mental health crisis and provide support for the most vulnerable youth. Peer Health Exchange is thrilled to be part of this mission-driven national initiative and is eager to continue this partnership in aims of uplifting our mutual mission for years to come.