New York State YMCA Foundation

There is an enduring mental health crisis among youth and young adults in New York State and across the country. One in five young people had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. Between 2021 and 2023, there were small improvements in the number of young people who felt persistently sad or hopeless, but disparities persist for young people of color and LGBTQ youth. Nearly two-thirds of teens who experience mental health challenges don’t seek help; those who do seek help face barriers. Throughout New York, families are on waitlists for weeks, months, or longer because of inadequate coverage and reimbursement rates, high out-of-pocket costs, and insufficient provider networks. Close to 40 of New York’s 62 counties are fully designated as mental health shortage areas. In 2024, NYHealth awarded the New York State YMCA Foundation a grant to address mental health challenges among young people who participate in its after-school and childcare programs. NYHealth is also supporting complementary initiatives with Delphi Rise and Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York. 

Under this grant, the YMCA Foundation will provide 10 YMCA sites across New York State with financial support and technical assistance to build their capacity to address youth participants’ mental health challenges. On-site champions will choose from a menu of evidence-based approaches, including Youth Mental Health First Aid and other social emotional learning curricula, to develop and implement at local YMCAs.