New research by The Jed Foundation (JED) shows teens are more concerned about feeling that others wouldn’t understand them, discomfort surrounding emotional conversations, and perceived fear of being a burden to others. They primarily turn to non-judgmental parents for emotional support.

[May 7, 2024, NEW YORK CITY] – Today, The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, issued a report, Unraveling the Stigma: Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Support Among U.S. Teens. Stigma is widely viewed as a major barrier for those in need of mental health support, even amid increased awareness in recent years. JED’s original research, made possible by the support of the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health, investigates the extent to which stigma is a barrier in help-seeking for teens, what other barriers are present, and where youth are turning for support. The report aims to start a dialogue about what caring adults such as parents and teachers, as well as peers, can do to better support teen help-seeking behaviors.

Unraveling the Stigma is based on qualitative and quantitative research from a national sample of more than 1,500 teens ages 13 to 17. The study found that although teens are aware of the importance of mental health and seeking support, they still struggle to reach out for help, particularly if they are members of historically marginalized communities. While 74% of teens say it is a sign of strength to reach out for their mental health, 42% say they lack the words to ask for help. 

Stigma does not top the list of teens’ concerns. Instead, they are more concerned about feeling that others wouldn’t understand them, discomfort surrounding emotional conversations, and perceived fear of being a burden to others. 

Additional research findings include:

• Certain stigma-related barriers are higher among Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American, and LGBTQ+ teens, reducing their tendency to reach out for support compared to peers surveyed in the study.
• Teens are more likely to seek out support from parents first, followed by friends and other family members.
• Teens prefer that adults listen to their mental health concerns without judgment and keep conversations confidential, whenever possible.
• Teens who seek out support online are most likely to use TikTok (43%), YouTube (39%), and Instagram (38%).
• More than half (59%) of teens are most likely to reach out to an adult if they are worried about a friend being suicidal, but only 43% are most likely to reach out if they, themselves, are suicidal.

“The stigma attached to mental health challenges is widely viewed as a major barrier for those in need of help, but its relevance to teens and young adults has not been studied in depth,” said John MacPhee, JED CEO “Each new generation forms their own perspectives on mental health and where they can turn for support. It’s important for us to focus on young people today and help them overcome the barriers they face. Supportive adults can better understand and enable teens to share their feelings and access the help they need.”

To synthesize the findings, JED created a continuum of barriers to seeking support, outlining what stands in the way of young people reaching out for help, including:

• Stigma: Feeling shame about their emotions
• Stigma-related barriers: Fears of being perceived as weak and damaging their reputation 
• Other barriers: Social, structural, and situational concerns, such as not having anyone to talk to or distrust in support systems 

The report also features a roadmap for supportive adults to help protect the young people in their lives. The report calls for improving education about mental health resources and educating adults to understand and address barriers teens face so they can initiate open and honest conversations with young people.

“This research underscores the top concerns holding teens back from asking for mental health support,” said Joan Steinberg, President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and CEO of the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health Advisory Board. “We need to answer that call in two ways. The first is to be there, listen non-judgmentally, actively engage in their mental wellness journey, and seek professional help if needed. The second is to refresh our understanding and narrative around stigma, address the real barriers for seeking help, and build positive, supportive environments that help teens to prioritize their mental well-being.” 

To discuss important findings from the research and how parents and other adults can better enable teens to have open conversations about their mental health, JED and the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health will be hosting a virtual webinar, Beyond Stigma: Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors in Teens, on May 9, 2024, from 12:00 PM –1:00 PM EST. Register for the webinar.

View and download Unraveling the Stigma: Exploring Attitudes and Barriers to Mental Health Support Among U.S. Teens.

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About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED! Email | X (formerly Twitter) |Facebook |Instagram |YouTube |LinkedIn |Snapchat |Pinterest |TikTok

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
justin@jedfoundation.org
media@jedfoundation.org

FINN Partners
JEDteam@finnpartners.com

Key voices in higher education policy and mental health gathered in Minneapolis to discuss progress and potential for student wellness.

[May 3, 2024, MINNEAPOLIS] — The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults nationwide, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), with generous support from the Lumina Foundation, convened state higher education leaders, mental health professionals, students, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to discuss critical policy changes needed to support the emotional health and well-being of college students.

“The Wellness Blueprint: Cultivating Foundations for Statewide Student Mental Health Policy,” a special event held in Minneapolis from April 29–May 1, included sessions and discussions about the learning community program and grant opportunities provided by JED and SHEEO. Roberto J. Rodríguez, ED’s assistant secretary for planning, evaluation, and policy development, delivered a keynote speech and inspired discussion among attendees, which included state policy leaders from Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Each state collaborated with JED and SHEEO to generate system-wide policy recommendations to strengthen college and university mental health and wellness capacities, particularly among low-income and diverse students. 

“A single institution, government agency, or community organization may face challenges while advocating for the changes required to protect youth mental health. By collaborating across the federal, state, and local levels, a clearer path towards progress and the creation of meaningful systems-level change can be possible,” Rodríguez said. “It was great to see a willingness from education and policy decision-makers to make that happen.”  

The Wellness Convening helped states meet the growing urgency around youth mental health. Research indicates that today’s young people are facing loneliness, increased access to firearms, climate anxiety, financial insecurity, and a lack of access to care.

“The statistics are clear: Young people are currently facing unprecedented mental health challenges. At JED, our data demonstrates that when comprehensive approaches are implemented and championed by higher education systems, we can meaningfully reduce suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts,” said Zainab Okolo, the senior vice president of policy, advocacy, and government relations at JED. “Higher education systems are encouraged to address these issues head-on. This summit was a critical step toward creating scalable and effective policy solutions that prioritize the well-being of all our nation’s college students.”

“Student wellness is directly related to student success, and state higher education agencies are uniquely situated to help develop student-centered policies and practices,” said John Lane, the vice president for academic affairs and equity initiatives at SHEEO. “This learning community and convening are designed specifically to help states develop plans to support institutions as they address the startling statistics around student mental health and well-being.”

Examining state and university progress and policies, while also amplifying the voices of young people as part of the solution, helped attendees identify key takeaways and priorities from the convening, including:

• The implementation of a campus-wide, comprehensive approach to mental health that holistically encompasses strategic planning, data collection, equitable implementation, life skills development, creating a sense of belonging, reducing stigma, and identifying students in need of care.
• An emphasis on effective proactive measures to address external factors that impact student mental health,  including societal challenges, technological advancements, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The vital need to include a wide array of perspectives, taking into account the needs of all populations and including the voices of people from all backgrounds, when considering mental health policy and service delivery.
• Financial prioritization of mental health initiatives, including considerations for licensure across state lines and equitable access to services. 
• Utilizing evidence-based policy and program development and evaluation for effective mental health strategies, including using research findings, engaging with reputable organizations, and incorporating an equity lens in policy reviews.
• Supporting advocacy and collaboration to engage institutional stakeholders, state systems, legislators, and student bodies to advance mental health priorities and resources, including building relationships, organizing collective efforts, and advancing systems-change work.

As state leaders return to their home communities, these findings will be reviewed and customized to the needs of their students and higher education institutions.

“Louisiana is honored to participate in the inaugural Student Mental Health and Wellness Learning Community, sponsored by SHEEO and JED, as we work to bolster existing mental health programs and pursue innovative initiatives tailored to the evolving needs of Louisiana’s student population,” said Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana’s commissioner of higher education. “The consultative strategic planning and technical assistance offered within the learning community will assist Louisiana in creating a sustainable model to support the mental health and well-being of our students.”

Learn more about the event and the learning community on the SHEEO project webpage.

About The Jed Foundation
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest

About SHEEO

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) serves the executives of statewide governing, policy, and coordinating boards of postsecondary education and their staffs. Founded in 1954, SHEEO promotes an environment that values higher education and its role in ensuring the equitable education of all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic factors. Together with its members, SHEEO aims to achieve this vision by equipping state higher-education executive officers and their staffs with the tools to effectively advance the value of higher education, promoting public policies and academic practices that enable all Americans to achieve success in the 21st century, and serving as an advocate for state higher-education leadership. For more information, visit sheeo.org. 

Media Contacts

Justin Barbo
Director, Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
(914) 844-4611

Jessica Duren
Strategic Communications Director
State Higher Education Executive Officers Association
jduren@sheeo.org
(573) 291-9251

    In a new mini-documentary series presented by the WHO Foundation, Maybelline New York is spotlighted for its meaningful efforts to impact global mental health by working with local NGOs in the United States and worldwide

[May 2, 2024, NEW YORK CITY] – Maybelline New York’s Brave Together program launched in 2020 to make mental health support accessible to all, with a focus on funding local NGOs that deliver free, 1:1 support for those facing anxiety or depression. The #1 makeup brand’s efforts to democratize mental health support are featured this month in a new mini-documentary series titled “Healthier Together,” produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. The mini docuseries aims to shed light on organizations making a significant impact on global health in the United States and throughout the world. 

“We are grateful for Maybelline New York’s involvement in the series and existing activities to support mental health through the Brave Together Program,” said Moz Siddiqui, Director of Partnerships at the WHO Foundation. “Our hope is that all the stories featured in “Healthier Together,” inspire more organizations to become active in the promotion of health and wellbeing for communities.”

To date, Maybelline New York has helped over 1.65 million people access free, 1:1 confidential support across 34 countries with over 45 local NGOs. The program aims to expand further with a goal of helping three million people and raising $10 million in funds by next year. 

“Maybelline New York’s mission is to give everyone the self-confidence they need to express their beauty. We know that makeup has a role to play in that, but the real work starts on the inside,” explains Trisha Ayyagari, Maybelline New York Global Brand President. “We started Brave Together to support those facing anxiety or depression. With several partners, including The Jed Foundation (JED), NAMI, the Crisis Text Line, and more, we have really rallied around this mission, but we still have a long way to go. We are committed to making support accessible to all so that no one has to struggle alone.” 

The Maybelline films capture the powerful stories of The Jed Foundation, a beneficiary and mental health NGO in the United States. “When teens and young adults are brave and vulnerable about their mental health, not only can their lives be changed, but they can also be saved,” explains Adee Shepen, Chief Development Officer at The Jed Foundation, which is why, “JED is proud to continue its partnership with Maybelline New York, and be a part of the ‘Healthier Together: A Path to A Better World’ documentary to address barriers to care and to normalize conversations about youth mental health in diverse communities across America and the world.”

In addition to The Jed Foundation, the film also highlights beneficiaries and NGOs in India – Sangath Well-Being Center and Japan – The BOND Project. 

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About the WHO Foundation
The WHO Foundation is an independent grant-making foundation working alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) to address global health challenges. By mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships, the WHO Foundation strives to support WHO in achieving its critical health objectives.

About Maybelline New York
Maybelline New York is the number one cosmetics brand in the world, available in over 120 countries. By combining technologically advanced formulas with on-trend expertise and New York City edge, Maybelline New York’s mission is to offer high-performing and innovative cosmetics for all. Maybelline New York introduced Brave Together in 2020, a long-term program dedicated to destigmatizing the conversation around mental health and funding mental health initiatives led by non-profits. The brand has pledged to donate $10 million to mental health causes with a goal of helping 1 million people access critical one-to-one support by 2025. For more information: http://www.maybelline.com 

About The Jed Foundation
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director, Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
(914) 844-4611

WHERE TO WATCH FILMS: 

www.maybelline.com/bravetogether or https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/healthier-together/brave-together

 Kenzie Ziegler, GAYLE among stars also featured in new digital content series for Mental Health Awareness Month

NEW YORK, NY (April 25, 2024) — The national “Seize the Awkward” campaign premiered a new digital content series today starring and directed by actress, activist, and creator Nia Sioux. The “Capture the Convo” series marks the former “Dance Moms” star and executive producer’s debut as creative director. By featuring intimate conversations between friends, the series inspires teens and young adults to normalize talking about mental health with their peers. 

In the seven-part “Capture the Convo” video series, Sioux joins her friends to model safe conversations about mental health and discuss their real experiences checking in with peers. The series encourages young adults to visit SeizeTheAwkward.org for tips to start their own conversations and spot the signs that a friend may be struggling.  

Research suggests that peer support promotes effective coping and improved mental health, a finding that inspires the mission of the award-winning “Seize the Awkward” campaign by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and The Jed Foundation (JED) in collaboration with the Ad Council. The campaign aims to equip young adults ages 16-24, especially Black and Hispanic youth, with resources to regularly check in with their friends about mental health. 

“Mental health is so close to my heart and joining ‘Seize the Awkward’ to create this new series was the perfect opportunity for my first directing role to contribute to a cause I’m passionate about,” said Sioux. “Bringing this vision to life with leading organizations in the mental health space has been empowering, both as a director and as a young adult myself. I hope this series serves as a reminder that we all have the power to start these conversations with our own circles.” 

The first “Capture the Convo” video launched today on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok highlighting excerpts from conversations with friends of Sioux’s who will be featured throughout the series. All videos feature the song “Lose Me Too,” which was provided pro bono by musical artist and mental health advocate, ROSIE.  

Six additional videos will premiere throughout May for Mental Health Awareness Month on social and digital channels belonging to the participating talent and “Seize the Awkward.” The participants, who donated their time to take part in the series, have a collective following of more than 58.8 million across social platforms:

• Kenzie Ziegler, singer, songwriter and actress 
• GAYLE, Grammy-nominated artist and songwriter
• Brooklinn Khoury, skateboarder and content creator
• Paul Russell, platinum recording artist 
• Zach Hood, musical artist and content creator

“We know that when youth struggle with their mental health, they are likely to turn to a friend for help. Our ‘Seize the Awkward’ campaign ensures that friends know what to do when this occurs, and the campaign uses storytelling to convey these lifesaving messages,” said AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia. “As a young director, Nia has been able to create ‘Capture the Convo’ through this lens and show in a very relatable way what it means to listen, support and make mental health conversations acceptable and impactful for youth.”  

In each video, the participants answer questions like, “When your friends check in on you, what is the best way for them to do that?” and “How would you bring up a conversation if you knew a friend was going through something?” with the goal of modeling open conversations around mental health for young adults to apply in their own social circles.

“When young people see individuals they admire embrace vulnerability, engage in help-giving and help-seeking behaviors, and advocate for mental health, it not only helps them relate but also opens up new lines of healthy communication in their own lives and within their friend groups,” says John MacPhee, CEO of JED. “Nia Sioux’s directorial debut for the digital ‘Capture the Convo’ series with ‘Seize the Awkward’ shows her generation’s ambition to mainstream conversations around emotional health. This is a mission that has been at the forefront of JED for the past 25 years and continues today with our partners AFSP and the Ad Council. Together, we can make a difference in how youth mental health is talked about, understood, and cared for.”

Production company RUOKAY supported the development of the content series and the shoot featured an all-female and LGBTQIA+ production crew. Additional behind the scenes content from the production was captured pro bono by photographer Krissy Saleh and videographer Cameron McLeod. As an extension of the video series, shareable GIFs from “Capture the Convo” videos will be available on the “Seize the Awkward” GIPHY page, which can be used by young adults to start the conversation with friends.

“It’s so important for young adults to see examples of safe, open conversations around mental health, and we are confident ‘Capture the Convo’ will inspire viewers to start these critical conversations with their own friends,” said Heidi Arthur, chief campaign development officer at the Ad Council. “Nia’s authenticity as a young adult navigating mental health with her friends shines through in her work on both sides of the camera, and we are honored she chose to bring her talent to this important new series.”

Since launching in January 2018, “Seize the Awkward” has been a trusted source of information for young adults across the country, driving over 5.7 million visits to SeizeTheAwkward.org and more than 83.9 million video views. In the campaign’s effort to reflect a diverse range of young adult experiences with mental health, “Seize the Awkward” recently released public service

advertisements (PSAs) including “Check In On Your Friends” with Grammy award-winning artist and philanthropist Megan Thee Stallion, “We Can Talk About It” produced pro bono by long-time partner Droga5, and a student-produced video featuring Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams.

For tools and resources to start a conversation with friends about mental health, visit SeizeTheAwkward.org and @SeizeTheAwkward on Instagram. 

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope  to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a  culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs,  develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those  affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public  policy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico,  with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and  join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,  YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok. 

The Jed Foundation (JED) 

The Jed Foundation is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide  for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to  strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and  systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help  themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and  action for young adult mental health. 

Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat |  Pinterest 

The Ad Council 

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening  hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change around the most pressing issues in America.  Since the non-profit’s founding, the organization and its partners in advertising, media,  marketing and tech have been behind some of the country’s most iconic social impact  campaigns – Smokey Bear, A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste, Love Has No Labels, Tear the  Paper Ceiling and many more. With a current focus on mental health, gun safety, the opioid  epidemic, skill-based hiring and other critical issues, the Ad Council’s national campaigns  encompass advertising and media content, ground game and community efforts, trusted  messenger and influencer engagement, and employer programs, among other innovative  strategies to move the needle on the most important issues of the day. 

In November 2022, the Ad Council announced a new Mental Health Initiative, uniting brands,  marketers, media companies and nonprofits to address the mental health crisis throughout the 

U.S. at scale. With a founding investment from the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the  multi-year initiative aims to change social norms and create a society that is more open,  accepting and proactive when it comes to mental health. 

To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council’s communities on  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X, and view campaign creative on YouTube. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

The Ad Council 
Nina Trach 
ntrach@adcouncil.org 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) 
Maria de los Angeles Corral 
mcorral@afsp.org 

The Jed Foundation (JED) 
Justin Barbo 
justin@jedfoundation.org

Students are 25% less likely to report a suicide attempt, 13% less likely to report suicidal planning, have lower average anxiety and depression scores, and are more likely to graduate.

April 18, 2024, NEW YORK CITY — The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, released a new report today revealing a significant decline in suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among students attending colleges and universities that participated in the JED Campus program. 

A Decade of Improving College Mental Health Systems: JED Campus Impact Report analyzed a decade of data (2013 to 2023) from JED Campus schools and the Healthy Minds Network survey. Schools that completed JED Campus saw statistically significant improvements in student mental health at the end of the program. Students were: 

• 25% less likely to report a suicide attempt 
• 13% less likely to report suicide planning
• 10% less likely to report suicidal ideation

Students also had improved average anxiety and depression scores, and were more likely to stay in school and graduate.

Launched in 2013, JED Campus is a four-year, technical assistance program that provides colleges and universities with expert support, evidence-based recommended practices, and data-driven guidance. To date, more than 440 colleges and universities have participated in JED Campus, reaching at least 5.6 million students. 

“It’s no secret that many young people in this country are struggling with mental health, and have been for some time,” says John MacPhee, JED’s Chief Executive Officer. “It’s critical to understand that behind these data points, we are talking about young people whose lives have been saved by receiving the support and care they deserve — and we don’t take that lightly. These numbers inspire us to continue the work we are doing every day at colleges and universities, and we are proud of the profound and actionable impact of our JED Campus program.”  

More than 18 million people attend colleges and universities in the U.S. every year, putting academic institutions at the forefront of bringing mental health initiatives directly to young adults to help prevent suicide and lower the incidence of anxiety and depression. According to the 2022–2023 Healthy Minds Study, 14% of college students nationwide reported suicidal ideation, 6% reported making a suicide plan, and 2% reported a suicide attempt in the past year. With that context, the report’s findings show that tens of thousands of students across JED Campus schools experienced mental health benefits. 

“The JED Campus Program is about more than responding to mental health crises,” says Dianna Graves, Vice President for Student Affairs at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. “It is also about proactively considering the many factors that impact college students’ wellness and then working across the college to mitigate challenges and to amplify strategies that work.”

In addition to student-level improvements, the results show school-level gains, with even more progress at schools that implement an increasing number of JED’s recommendations. View and download A Decade of Improving College Mental Health Systems: JED Campus Impact Report. 

Interviews can be scheduled with JED representatives to discuss the report’s results, as well as JED Campus administrators, staff, and students to highlight the program’s positive impact and measurable improvements. 

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About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Connect with JED! Email | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest | TikTok

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
justin@jedfoundation.org
media@jedfoundation.org

FINN Partners
JEDteam@finnpartners.com