This commentary is by Jen Colman, of Burlington. She is a mental health provider for children and adolescents, and collaborates with youth-based organizations and schools to provide direct mental health services. Colman is also the executive director of Green Mountain Mobile Therapy, a nonprofit organization that provides accessible mental health and social emotional resources for children and adolescents.
As a mental health professional who works with Vermont’s youth, I see how our students are struggling everyday.
Nationally, young people have reported a dramatic increase in conflict and divisiveness in our communities. A constant barrage of media, combined with social disconnectedness, creates a systemic feeling of hopelessness.
Earlier this year, Vermont This Week on Vermont Public hosted a panel discussion on the state of youth mental health in Vermont. The conversation focused on the Vermont Department of Health’s 2023 Youth Behavior Risk Survey, released in November 2024, and the results showed that Vermont youth’s mental health is still in crisis with little improvement since the Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the questions asked in the panel was “What do kids need?” and the collective response was that kids need to be believed and listened to. They need to feel like they belong and that they matter. It’s time for Vermont to get creative in how we approach our youth mental health crisis.
Through providing youth with evidence-based, relationship-centered mentoring programs, we can help youth feel like they matter and instill a sense of belonging.
Mentoring programs play a crucial role in supporting youth mental health by providing individualized, one-on-one attention and fostering meaningful relationships between youth and trusted adults. In Vermont, 96% of mentees in mentoring programs funded by the nonprofit organization MENTOR Vermont reported that their mentor made them feel like they matter, and 92% said having a mentor made a positive difference in their lives.
MENTOR Vermont leads, expands and strengthens the mentoring movement, building capacity to make high-quality relationships accessible to all young people, so every young person in Vermont has the supportive relationships they need to grow and thrive.
Mentors offer emotional support, guidance and encouragement, which are particularly beneficial for youth struggling with mental health issues. They help young people engage in their schoolwork, think critically about their future and navigate personal challenges. This support is essential in preventing risky behaviors among young people.
Moreover, mentoring meets youth where they live, learn, work and play, providing them with a consistent person outside of their family that they can turn to for support.
Despite this data, 1 in 3 youth will grow up without a mentor and without the support of a trusted adult. According to the National Mentoring Partnership, young people who have mentors are more likely to improve in areas such as emotional regulation, social skills and overall life satisfaction. A study by the Journal of Primary Prevention found that mentoring can lower the likelihood of depressive symptoms and suicide attempts by providing emotional support, positive role models and a sense of belonging.
Overall, mentoring programs are a proven tool in promoting mental well-being and ensuring that young people have the supportive relationships they need to thrive.
Although the Vermont youth mental health crisis may seem overwhelming, it can be addressed by being proactive and putting in place proven early intervention programs such as mentoring.
Thanks to the work of MENTOR Vermont, such programs already exist in many communities throughout the state, but they need sustainable investment to adequately meet the needs of youth across Vermont. This investment will ensure that every child who needs a mentor has access to one, and the path toward stabilizing and moving out of this crisis will become clear.
