Youth mental health is in a heightened state of urgency. As we all know, being young is hard. Add to that the complexities of growing up in today’s world, youth are struggling more than ever to cope with their mental health challenges.

Take a Hike’s intentional approach has evolved to meet young people where they are at and ensure they gain access to the well-being supports they need to face the challenges that will meet them today and on the journey of their lives.

“This remarkable success stands as a testament to the dedication of the TAH team, the unwavering commitment of youth, and the transformative potential of targeted responsive support. The TAH approach, which tailors its efforts to address the intricate needs of youth, not only fosters their school engagement but also nurtures their overall well-being, providing a solid foundation for their growth and success.”

-Denis Buote, Director at Arbor Educational and Clinical Consulting, Take a Hike’s external evaluator.

Learning to Thrive

Last year, 78% of youth felt they were better able to cope with their mental health challenges. A breathtaking result, as we see youth gain the tools they need to deal with the hard moments life will bring.

Finding connection and belonging

These hard moments in life became even more manageable as Take a Hike youth built important and strong relationships. 77% of youth felt connected to their peers and the adults in the Take a Hike program. This shows how having people you can lean on and feel safe around, can truly make an immense difference. In fact, 76% of youth reported feelings of belonging while in the program. These connections and relationships are true game changers in the lives of young people.

Daring to Dream

Finally, it doesn’t stop there. Youth have not only gained the skills to cope with their mental health challenges and built important bonds with those around them, they also dared to dream. 82% of youth felt they had developed the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill their goals and prepare for employment. For many youth, this is the first time they’ve felt like they can achieve what they’ve only dreamed of and that they can go into the world knowing they can face it head on. And that is amazing.