Beyond the Headlines: A Deep Dive Into Trends and Opportunities in Youth Mental Health
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a major shift in how we talk about youth mental health. More young people are speaking up about their struggles, communities are paying closer attention, and schools and policymakers are taking action. Philanthropic interest in youth mental health has also increased during this time, with more funders engaging in this field. However, despite this momentum, the critical question remains: Are these resources being directed in ways that meaningfully expand access and opportunity?
While total philanthropic giving to youth mental health has increased–from 0.32% of total giving from private foundations in 2019 to 0.43% in 2022–it still represents less than one percent of total philanthropic dollars to youth mental health. This growth is meaningful but still small relative to the scale of need.
Systemic barriers, workforce shortages, and disparities continue to prevent countless young people–particularly those from historically underserved communities–from getting the support they need. In 2023, nearly 60% of youth with depression did not receive treatment, according to Mental Health America. The challenge isn’t just about how much funding exists–it’s about ensuring funding supports solutions that truly break down these barriers.
This moment presents an opportunity: with more funding entering the space, there is a critical need for data and insights to help direct these investments where they can have the greatest impact. Philanthropy has a powerful role to play in ensuring its resources support innovative, community-led solutions that break down barriers, reduce stigma, and build resilience in young people.
New Profit, in partnership with human-centered design firm People Rocket, conducted a landscape analysis to provide a clearer picture of where funding is flowing, where the most pressing gaps remain, and how philanthropy can drive meaningful change. By focusing on expanding access and opportunity, we aim to equip funders–many of whom are newer to the youth mental health space–with the insights needed to invest in solutions that create lasting impact.
The analysis incorporated multiple data sources, including:
- Review of 300+ Landscape Documents to identify key sector trends.
- Interviews with 20+ Stakeholders–social entrepreneurs, funders, and mental health leaders—to refine hypotheses about gaps and opportunities.
- Analysis of Nearly 7,000 Organizations using IRS Form 990 data, and identified thousands of nonprofit youth mental health organizations and their funders, shedding light on funding flows and distribution.
Our goal is to add another layer of depth to the conversation around youth mental health, provide funders with actionable next steps, and amplify the impactful work already happening across communities in the U.S.
Key Insights from the Landscape
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a long-term decline in youth mental health. While awareness has grown, systemic gaps continue to make care difficult to access.
- A maze of disconnected services leaves youth without support when they need it most. Schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations operate in silos, making mental health care difficult to access.
- Barriers to care run deep, especially for historically underserved youth. Stigma, cost, and a lack of culturally responsive services leave many without support.
- “It does not have to be therapy to be therapeutic.” Peer support, arts, and digital tools play a crucial role in young people’s wellbeing—yet these approaches remain underfunded.
- Fixing the system requires bold, coordinated action. Without cross-sector collaboration and investment, today’s challenges will only deepen.
A stronger youth mental health system requires better access to care, stronger cross-sector coordination, and more youth-centered environments. Expanding telehealth, improving crisis response, and streamlining mental health referrals are critical first steps.
Establishing a System of Care
Reducing barriers—such as stigma, socioeconomic constraints, and the lack of proximity in mental health services, meaning providers with lived experience or deep understanding of the communities they serve—is key to ensuring all youth, especially those from historically underserved communities, receive timely support. Greater collaboration between education, healthcare, and community organizations is essential for lasting impact.
To measure what truly matters, we need a proximate and evidence-driven approach that translates research into actionable strategies. Schools and communities must also foster environments that nurture resilience and mental wellbeing, ensuring that mental health care extends beyond clinical settings.
A Call for a Cross-Sector Approach to Investing in Youth Mental Health
Youth mental health isn’t a standalone issue—it’s the foundation of a strong education system, pathways to economic mobility, and a thriving democracy. When young people have the mental health support they need, they are better able to learn, pursue meaningful careers, and actively contribute to their communities. Just as we invest in education to expand opportunity, in economic mobility to create pathways to prosperity, and in civic engagement to sustain democracy, we must recognize that youth mental health underpins a thriving community—making it possible for young people to grow, contribute, and lead fulfilling lives.
Now is the time for philanthropy to move beyond short-term, siloed efforts and commit to sustained, cross-sector investment in youth mental health. By prioritizing long-term funding, investing in proximate organizations and social entrepreneurs, supporting effective policy development , and advancing knowledge-building, philanthropy can help build the foundation for stronger education systems, expanded economic mobility, and a more engaged civic society. A transformative approach to youth mental health ensures that young people, as future leaders, changemakers, and members of the workforce, have the support they need to thrive.
To take action, explore our full landscape analysis and the executive summary, where you’ll find deeper insights, strategies, and recommendations to inform impactful funding decisions in the youth mental health field.
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About New Profit
New Profit is a venture philanthropy organization that catalyzes the impact of social entrepreneurs who are expanding access and opportunity in America. We provide capital, capacity, and community to a portfolio of organizations to increase their impact, scale, and sustainability. And we partner with social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and cross-sector leaders to shift how the philanthropic sector pursues social change and ensures that all people can thrive. Since 1998, New Profit has invested over $350M in 275+ high-impact organizations serving more than 30 million people in all 50 states.