As we step boldly into our new fiscal year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Peer Health Exchange community-- from our staff, volunteers and Youth Advisory Board to our national board, partners and donors. You are the lifeline of our work through it all: government cuts to health education programming, fundraising challenges, political change, and more. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary at Peer Health Exchange, and I am thrilled to share the incredible impact we’ve made and the vision that lies ahead.
Despite the challenges of FY26, we welcomed 533,000 new young people across the country to selfsea, bringing our total users to nearly 1.5 million. The platform continues to evolve with the launch of our new Mood Check-In tool and The Wave, our peer chat forum. These resources empower young people to connect, share, and support one another, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. A young user on selfsea shared, "Having access to these resources makes me feel like I am not alone."
This year, we’ve also strengthened our strategic partnerships. We're impacting communities through health education partnerships with The Health Gap, Metropolitan State University Denver, Immigrant Family Services Institute, and The Center for Teen Empowerment. Peer Health Exchange supports the Youth Mental Health Corps by fostering a vibrant and supportive environment where hundreds of members have the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Our partnership with Boys’ Club New York is expanding mental health support for young men through Peer-to-Peer programming. Our expanded TikTok Trust & Safety partnership underscores our commitment to creating a safe online environment where young voices can thrive.
Peer Health Exchange also partnered with Maude for a giveback campaign with exclusive, limited-edition merchandise, widening our network of support. We continue to seek mission-aligned corporate partners who share our vision of empowering young people, with the goal of deepening our reach and amplifying our impact together.
With continued support, here’s a glimpse of what the new year has in store:
- Full launch of selfsea 2.0: We’re excited to unveil the most powerful version of our platform yet! This upgrade will enhance our ability to support every young person in meaningful ways.
- Expanded in-community work, including peer-to-peer health education facilitation, coalition and capacity building.
- Bigger and bolder Youth Advisory Board. We will ensure that youth voices continue to shape our programming and guide every decision we make.
- Together, we will increase our reach and touch the lives of millions of teens nationwide.
- We’re dedicated to expanding our offerings with new tools for financial literacy and AI safety, equipping young people with vital skills they need to navigate today’s world.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Together, we will create a brighter future for our youth, where every young person feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. None of this would be possible without your unwavering support. Each contribution you make fuels our mission and creates countless opportunities for young people seeking guidance and connection.