YouTube announced on Tuesday the launch of a dedicated mental health and wellbeing hub for teenagers aged 13 to 17, aimed at making it easier for young users to find credible, age-appropriate information on sensitive topics like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders.
When teens search for terms such as “depression,” they’ll now see a curated row of videos at the top of their search results. YouTube says these clips come from trusted mental health organizations, including the Child Mind Institute, and are specifically tailored to the developmental stage of adolescent viewers.
The new feature comes amid growing mental health concerns among young people. According to the CDC, nearly 40% of students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2023, while 28.5% said they experienced poor mental health.
Given that nine in ten teens use YouTube, according to the Pew Research Center, this move could make the platform a key source of reliable information and support for teenagers facing mental health struggles.
Over the years, YouTube has expanded its efforts to protect and support younger users, from adding age-estimation technology and parental controls, to limiting recommendations for sensitive topics.
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The new teen mental health hub will roll out in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Mexico, France, and Australia in the coming weeks.
