When young people need support with their mental health, many first turn to a peer.
A 2026 UnitedHealthcare survey of more than 2,000 U.S. college students and young adults found that 47% would talk to a friend first about a mental health concern, compared with 23% who'd seek out a trusted adult. Yet data also show that peers are not prepared to talk about mental health at school or work. That means roommates, classmates, teammates and coworkers may find themselves in conversations they aren't prepared to navigate.
The finding reflects growing interest in peer support as a critical part of the response to young adults' mental health needs, as OK Today reports. Peer support can begin with an everyday conversation: listening without judgment, responding with care and helping a friend feel less alone.
Roughly one in seven people worldwide is living with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. And while mental health resources exist, a global survey of more than 5,600 people ages 14 to 25 found that only half knew where to find resources to support their mental health. Forty percent also reported continuing stigma around discussing mental health at school or work, according to the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health.
The growing role of peer support
A 2025 review of 32 studies found promising evidence that peer support can strengthen connection and help young people navigate mental health challenges, although results varied across programs and populations. Researchers noted that more study is needed to understand which approaches are most effective and under what circumstances.
Peer support is not a replacement for professional mental health care. Instead, it can complement formal services by helping young people feel less alone, recognize when additional support may be needed and connect with appropriate resources.
As a result, investment in structured peer-support approaches is growing. In July 2026, Kaiser Permanente committed $10 million to expand the Youth Mental Health Corps, which trains young people to provide nonclinical support and help teenagers navigate available resources. The initiative has trained and placed nearly 1,000 members and reached more than 44,000 teenagers and community members since 2024.
Designing resources by young people for young people
Young people are also playing a larger role in designing the resources meant for them. A 2026 review of 58 youth mental health co-design studies across 19 countries found a sharp rise in this kind of collaboration since 2019. Studies that evaluated the co-design process reported strong youth engagement and greater usability and relevance. However, most were conducted in high-income, English-speaking countries, leaving questions about how well those findings translate across cultures and communities.
Peer support will not replace professional mental health care, nor should young people be expected to have all the answers. But when they have the tools to listen without judgment, recognize their limits and encourage a friend to talk with someone they trust, everyday conversations can help that friend feel heard and supported.
This story was produced by OK Today, an initiative of Global Gateway Advisors Foundation, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.