Our Youth Fellows and other youth across Greater Cincinnati have made themselves clear: they often feel alone in their mental health journeys, face barriers to finding relatable, culturally responsive support, and are looking for guidance from people who truly understand their lived experiences.

We heard them.

In direct response to these concerns, the HEY! Youth Fellows and the Treatment Working Group—made up of regional mental health and treatment professionals—co-designed a bold new initiative: the Greater Cincinnati Youth Mental Health Corps.

HEY! is launching an AmeriCorps-supported initiative to train and place 24 Certified Youth Peer Supporters at local organizations. These young adults, ages 18–30, will bring their own lived experience to the work, offering behavioral health education, peer support, and resource navigation that is personal, informed, and community-driven. The program will be implemented by HEY! member Talbert House. 

We’re now recruiting partner host sites ready to:

• Expand youth support in affirming, culturally relevant ways
• Join a region-wide strategy to improve mental health access
• Invest in the next generation of leaders through mentorship and care

This is more than a program—it’s a regional movement to build a more just, responsive, and youth-centered mental health system.

Service begins September 1, 2025.
Organizations interested in hosting a Youth Peer Supporter should reach out to Nikki Boberg by July 28 at Nichol.Boberg@talberthouse.org.