Moonshots for Youth Mental Health and Well-Being: Exploration of Big Bets and Bold Goals

Poor mental health has long been a challenge in the US and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this crisis, hitting young people particularly hard and causing anxiety and depression cases to skyrocket. Though stigma, stressors, and barriers to care have made improving youth mental health seem like an intractable issue, there are incredibly promising options available to tackle this challenge.

In 2021, SPARC and Hopelab partnered to identify four “moonshots” that could make major progress in youth mental health. If implemented, these ambitious ideas could ultimately create a 10-fold improvement in youth mental health. This report highlights opportunities to reduce stigma, increase access to care, enhance diversity in the mental health workforce, and create evidence-based metrics and interventions. If sufficiently supported, these moonshots can provide a road map to better youth mental health, improving quality of life and well-being for all.