Impact Feed

In October, Mental Health Europe’s Youth Leaders from all over Europe came together for the first time in Brussels, Belgium! ✨💪 This face-to-face meeting marked a milestone in the organization’s youth program, which brings together passionate young advocates ready to make waves in mental health.

Over two days, the group took part in a series of dynamic trainings, creative workshops, and collaborative sessions designed to empower them as changemakers. The first day focused on themes of self-expression, creativity, and leadership. Through interactive exercises and guided discussions, participants explored how to use their voices, share their lived experiences, and create meaningful impact in their communities.

Day two shifted gears toward co-creation and collaboration. The Youth Leaders met with members of the Mental Health Europe team to whiteboard the future of the Youth Leaders program. Together, they envisioned how young people can play an even stronger role in shaping policies and initiatives that truly reflect youth perspectives and lived realities. No topic was off the table – the group discussed everything from digital mental health to education to inclusion.

This youth convening marks the beginning of something greater. The Youth Leaders will now take what they’ve learned and put it into action, developing a series of key resources – including fact sheets on mental health support for young people in their respective countries – to make vital information more accessible, engaging, and youth-friendly. These materials will help empower their peers to seek support, challenge stigma, and promote mental health as a shared priority.

And because empowermet transcends the meeting room door, they’ve also launched their very own Instagram account: @mentalhealthyouthleadership, where they’ll share updates, tips, reflections, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes moments from their journey.

Follow along to stay inspired and witness the next generation of mental health advocates in action. Together, these Youth Leaders are rewriting the story of mental health in Europe, one idea, one collaboration, and one act of courage at a time. 💫

Did you know 70% of students who receive mental health support get it through their schools? For many young people, especially those from historically underserved communities, school is their main - and sometimes only - access point for care.

The Child Mind Institute is helping bridge that gap. Through their School and Community Programs, they bring culturally responsive, evidence-based support directly into school communities.

Recently, they held their second annual Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Camp for K–5 students in partnership with the Ella Baker Institute in NYC. Educators reported feeling more equipped to support student wellbeing, caregivers left with tools to help at home, and students shared real wins - like one child who said they learned “new ways to communicate their feelings.”

The impact speaks for itself: 96% of students enjoyed the camp and 82% plan to use what they learned to manage stress.

Learn more about the Child Mind Institute at childmind.org.

A special thanks to Julie Dang for her illustration!

Last month our Founder, Selena Gomez, visited one of our Rare Impact Fund partners, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Based in Los Angeles, Didi Hirsch is an organization providing life-saving mental health care and suicide prevention support to more than 270,000 people each year.

She toured their youth drop-in center in Glendale - Our Third Place - a safe, creative space between home and school where young people can express themselves through art, music, and self-care.

Selena also spent time at Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center, home to both their Crisis Line and Teen Line, meeting with staff and young people to hear about the evolving needs of youth today.

The Rare Impact Fund has proudly supported Didi Hirsch since 2021, helping expand their outreach and education efforts so more youth and families can access critical mental health resources.

Last month at the Rare Impact Fund Benefit, we celebrated five incredible years of the Rare Impact Fund - a milestone made possible by our community's generosity and commitment to youth mental health.

In just five years, the Rare Impact Fund has supported over 30 nonprofit organizations across five continents, reaching over 2 million young people each year through crisis response, school-based programs, and community-led initiatives.

To mark this special moment, we hosted a conversation with Jimmy Kimmel and five of our nonprofit partners. And thanks to our Rare Impact Fund Giving Circle, one of our members, Ashley, won tickets to attend this special evening and the meet & greet with Selena Gomez.

We're so grateful for every person who helps make this work possible. Thank you to our growing impact community for being on this journey with us and for your ongoing support of our mission to expand access to mental health resources for young people globally.

Last month, the Rare Impact Fund gathered our global cohort of nonprofit partners for a first-of-its-kind Capacity Building Workshop in New York City. Designed by and for our partners, this event was created to share collective insights, aspirations and opportunity gaps.

Over two days, nonprofit leaders and practitioners from across five continents came together to share, learn, and build resilience amid a complex global landscape. The group worked with a variety of strategists, thought leaders and philanthropic experts to strengthen programs, compare strategies, and—most importantly—recognize that those doing the work deserve care too. What emerged was a profound sense of hope, solidarity, and a shared vision for what’s possible when community and care come first. 

In a time of uncertainty, the Rare Impact Fund remains committed to fostering leadership wellness, strengthening social capital, and providing holistic support to youth mental health organizations across the globe. Our deepest thanks to all our partners and to the brilliant facilitators who led with insight and empathy. And a special thank you to Google for hosting us at their beautiful Pier 57 Space.