Amidst concerns that technology, especially social media and AI, contributes to declining youth mental health, Santi Dewa Ayu, Senior Program Manager at SecondMuse, asserts that these very tools, when used responsibly and innovatively, are vital for reshaping care models and fostering a trusted future for youth mental well-being.
Written By: Santi Dewa Ayu, Senior Program Manager at SecondMuse
Technology, especially social media and artificial intelligence (AI), is often blamed for the decline in youth mental health. While these concerns are valid, these tools are here to stay. The challenge isn’t technology itself, but how we build trust in innovative solutions that can support youth mental health in a digital world.
The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the demand for youth well-being services and accelerated the shift toward digital care models. Yet just as the need surged, the behavioral health workforce faltered. Shortages of school counselors are projected to grow, and over 120 million Americans already live in areas with too few mental health providers. For today’s youth, the result is a mental health care system that’s stretched thin and struggling to keep up.
These challenges demand bold, coordinated responses. Educators, families, community leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers must work together to answer: How do we reimagine care for a digital age? How can we build trust in tech-enabled solutions that complement existing systems and reflect the needs of young people and their communities?
At Headstream, an initiative by SecondMuse, we’re answering those questions every day. By funding youth-centered entrepreneurs, convening cross-sector allies and advancing responsible innovation, we’re building a future where technology elevates youth voices and becomes a trusted partner in youth mental health care.
The Importance of Responsible Tech Actors in Behavioral Health
We’ve seen that a unified approach to mental well-being starts with understanding how the five most involved stakeholder groups can responsibly leverage technology to support young people. The goal should be to enhance and support the work of professionals while amplifying, improving, and scaling proven practices.
- Social media companies must design safer digital environments, curbing harmful algorithms, enforcing strong content controls and directing users to mental health resources.
- Entrepreneurs are identifying unmet needs and developing digital-first tools that engage youth through familiar, tech-savvy platforms, accelerating adoption and impact in youth mental health solutions.
- Families are essential partners. Digital tools that help caregivers understand their children’s needs and influences can lead to stronger, long-lasting outcomes. Psyche Care, for instance, focuses on the critical period after a child has been discharged from crisis care, offering real-world strategies, routines and tools for parents of youth post-crisis. This comprehensive approach helps families navigate the often challenging transition back home, recognizing that the home environment is pivotal to a child’s recovery and long-term well-being.
- Schools and community leaders help build parent trust by showing they prioritize students and continually improve strategies with safe, evidence-based tools. Choosing and implementing these products is no easy task. It requires assessing students’ needs, identifying the right tools to complement existing school-based care, engaging key stakeholders across the school or district, securing funding and managing implementation of youth mental health resources.
- With reduced federal support, investors now hold outsized influence on youth mental health. New research shows that the economic impact of investment in youth mental health is extensive. Strategic funding can expand access, boost graduation and workforce readiness and generate long-term economic benefits.
Turning Progress Into Lasting Change for Youth Mental Health
Our current mental health care system is under strain. Last year, just 48% of public schools reported they could provide youth mental health services to every student who needed them. But despite this challenging reality, promising progress is taking root, particularly at the local level.
At Headstream, we champion startups like TadHealth, a California-based platform reaching nearly 200,000 students with school-based mental health tracking and support, and Maro, which enables early identification of behavioral health needs through universal screening and stakeholder education across Illinois districts. These tech-forward innovators are proving what’s possible when communities have the right digital tools, improving access and outcomes for youth nationwide.
Across the country, these solutions show that youth mental health care can be reimagined when trust, innovation and cross-sector collaboration come together. But the path forward is long, and the stakes are high.
To meet this moment, we need bold action from every corner: entrepreneurs, educators, families, policymakers and investors. As debates over AI and social media intensify, we must shift the conversation from fear to opportunity. Rebuilding trust in technology means centering youth voices, backing proven solutions and scaling systems designed with care at their core.
We all have a role to play. The future of youth mental well-being depends on our shared commitment to shaping a world where technology uplifts, supports and drives a healthier generation.
