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YAM report

Youth Aware of Mental Health Program Impact 

14 MSU Extension agents plus 46 community members are trained to teach YAM

11,000 students and 36 schools have participated in YAM since 2016.

88% said that mental health should be taught in their schools. 

After completing YAM, youth reported:

  • higher levels of sharing feelings and collaborative problem-solving skills (considered protective factors against suicide)
  • higher levels of help-seeking behavior and emotional coping problem-solving skills (considered protective factors against suicide)

"It teaches us how to cope and learn how depression is hard, but you can get through it."

“I am very glad our class had the opportunity to learn about the things we may have struggles with and how to deal with them. Especially if someone you know is struggling, we now know what things to talk about or do to help them feel better.”

"It makes us feel good and safe that we can talk about our problems."

Learn more on the YAM website here.