RICHMOND, VA—Serve Virginia announced the official launch of the Youth Mental Health Corps in Virginia, a new effort conceived by the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest as part of a national initiative to help youth access critical needs related to mental health resources, accessibility, and workforce development. 

Mental health and substance use disorder affects young Virginians at higher rates than peers in other states. According to Mental Health America (MHA), in 2024 Virginia ranked 48th out of 51 for youth mental health risk factors, indicating that young Virginians are more likely to experience mental illness and have lower rates of access to care than youth in other states. The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, collected and analyzed by the Virginia Department of Health, also demonstrates an increase in the percentage of students that report feeling sad or hopeless and have seriously considered attempting suicide. 

In response to this crisis in the Commonwealth, Virginia has joined forces with 10 other states, the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, and AmeriCorps to recruit, train, and deploy the first Youth Mental Health Corps. 

“In keeping with ongoing efforts to deliver needed behavioral health and crisis care through ‘Right Help, Right Now’, the Youth Mental Health Corps will strengthen the Commonwealth's services and behavioral health profession while supporting our most important asset, our children,” said First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin. “We are honored that Virginia is leading the way, as one of only eleven states launching programs this fall.” 

In Virginia, the Youth Mental Health Corps will utilize a near-peer model to engage young adults in national service opportunities through AmeriCorps and academic partnerships to deliver expanded and enhanced services to youth, resulting in expanded mental health services for youth and workforce development opportunities for young adults. Serve Virginia is also working to establish “service-to-career” pathways for national service members, increasing the number of individuals with voluntary certifications who choose to work in the behavioral health field.   

“The opportunities to serve in the Youth Mental Health Corps represents a powerful investment in both our young people and the future of Virginia’s communities,” said Kathy Spangler, Director of Serve Virginia. “By mobilizing the energy and talents of young adults through national service, we are expanding access to critical mental health support while also cultivating the next generation of leaders and practitioners in this field.”  

For more details on Youth Mental Health Corps, visit ServeVirginia.org/mental-health.