In a quiet school hallway, a pivotal moment unfolded that changed a student’s life forever.

After completing a Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training, the student found the courage to confide in a school counselor about thoughts of suicide. The counselor quickly stepped in, working with the student and their family to create a safety plan and connect them to life-saving support. 

As Bethany Meighen, then-VP of Academic and Student Affairs with the University of North Carolina System, reflected, “It is no exaggeration to say this training helped save a child’s life.” 

This is a powerful reminder that when we invest in mental health education, we’re not just raising awareness – we’re changing lives.

In North Carolina, there is no health challenge more urgent than the youth mental health crisis. Far too many children and teens in our state are struggling – with nearly half reporting daily feelings of sadness or hopelessness. One in five high school students has seriously considered suicide and more than half of our state’s counties don’t have a child psychiatrist.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), we believe this isn’t just a crisis, it’s a call to action. Our commitment to youth mental well-being and resiliency aims to drive long-term, sustainable change in North Carolina. Together with our partners, communities, and youth themselves, we’re working to build a healthier, more connected future for all.

To drive meaningful and lasting change, we must work alongside our young people to understand their unique perspectives and the challenges they face. That’s why we're helping to bring tMHFA training to more young people across our state.

The tMHFA training program uses a peer-to-peer model that supports adolescents and teens in recognizing and responding to the same signs and symptoms with their peers while promoting help-seeking behaviors that connect teens to trusted adults who can support them. 

This program aims to train, disseminate, and further develop evidence-based practices to help teens understand how to appropriately respond to mental health and substance use challenges impacting other teens. It also promotes help-seeking behaviors in teens experiencing mental health challenges and / or substance use challenges while reducing stigma.

In partnership with UNC Behavioral Health Springboard and the UNC System, we are expanding the tMHFA training program across North Carolina.

Our efforts will result in training more than 2,700 teens over two years and creating an additional 50 certified tMHFA instructors. In addition, for schools to participate in tMHFA, at least 5% of faculty and staff are required to complete Youth Mental Health First Aid training to ensure a comprehensive support system for students.

This summer, 80 teens who have completed tMHFA will attend UNC Behavioral Health Springboard’s NC Teen Mental Health First Aid Ambassador Retreat. Teens will participate in a variety of activities to build on their mental health first aid training, practice skills to support peers who are struggling with mental health challenges, and learn how to improve their own well-being.  

“The investment from Blue Cross NC has not only expanded our reach to teens in North Carolina's rural communities, but it has also allowed us to double the amount of participants in this year’s NC tMHFA Ambassador Retreat,” said Sara Elizabeth Reives, director of UNC Behavioral Health Springboard. “By equipping more teens to become ambassadors, we’re creating a growing network of advocates who can help reduce mental health stigma and provide peer-to-peer support in their communities.”

Blue Cross NC is committed to the work of helping young people in North Carolina find the support they need to be more resilient and feel more connected, because we understand that this crisis, if not addressed, will have long-term effects on individuals, on families, and on the communities where we live. 

We're proud to be the first statewide funder and strategic thought partner of the Youth Behavioral Health Statewide Action Plan, a coalition led by CaroNova. Through the coalition, we’re working alongside local leaders and experts on a statewide, multi-sector commitment to develop a comprehensive and actionable plan to ensure our youth have access to high-quality mental health care across the state.  

By investing in prevention, expanding access to high-quality care, and enhancing community support we’re helping young people develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate life’s challenges. It’s about giving every child in North Carolina the opportunity to feel connected, resilient, and supported – no matter where they live. 

We know that building a better future starts with showing up for the next generation. We won’t stop until health care – and mental health care – is better for all.