Millions of young people nationwide are experiencing a growing mental health crisis.

The Cigna Group and its philanthropic arm, The Cigna Group Foundation, have made supporting youth and the adults who support them – such as parents, caregivers, educators, and therapists – a strategic priority.

As part of our broader $27 million, three-year commitment to improve community health and vitality, The Cigna Group Foundation has dedicated $9 million to address youth mental health through nonprofit partnerships and targeted grants focused on improving outcomes.

 “Through our nonprofit partners, we are able to meet youth where they are, whether at home, in school, or in the community, and help them build the skills and support systems they need to thrive,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “Community-based organizations are the heart of this work, and we’re proud to help them address the youth mental health crisis here in America.”

In the newly released report, The Cigna Group Foundation outlines the progress made toward improving youth mental health – read on for the key takeaways from the report.

A strategic response to a growing crisis

Research shows the number of young people diagnosed with mental health conditions has increased by 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has risen by 48%. Additionally, 38% of affected youth did not receive treatment within six months of their initial diagnosis.

To address these trends, The Cigna Group Foundation awarded more than $3 million in grants to 23 nonprofit organizations across 10 states during the 2024-25 academic year. These organizations are working in schools, clinics, and community centers to support youth mental health.

Measuring impact

In one year, grantees reached more than 34,000 youth, families, and professionals with programs tailored to local needs. They provided culturally responsive support, timely intervention, and accessible care in underserved communities. Services were delivered to 158 schools and five clinical settings, ensuring care reached young people where they live and learn.

This report reflects information submitted by the 23 nonprofits funded for the grant term of August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025.  

Programs that make a difference

The services delivered through these grants were as diverse as the communities they served.

These programs did more than just provide services: they built trust, fostered resilience, and laid the foundation for lasting change.

“Every day when I went to school, I wanted to collapse and go to sleep, not wake up and not focus on anything,” said a youth participant who worked with the New London Counseling Center in Pennsylvania. “If I never came here, I don’t know if I’d still be here. Counseling has helped me be able to get everything off my chest.”

Partnering for broader impact: Boys and Girls Clubs of America

The Cigna Group Foundation expanded its support of Boys and Girls Clubs of America earlier this year to bring trauma-informed practices to all Clubs and develop a teen mental health guide. Year to date, employees from The Cigna Group assembled youth mental health packs that reached nearly 1,000 kids across 12 clubs.

Employees at The Cigna Group headquarters in Bloomfield, CT assemble mental well-being kits for local Boys & Girls Clubs.

“Our partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America underscores our belief that collaboration is key to creating safe, supportive environments where all kids can reach their full potential,” said Ellie Polack, president, The Cigna Group Foundation.

A key component of this partnership, and the company’s wider community engagement initiative, is enhancing local volunteer opportunities for our own workforce.

Employees from The Cigna Group volunteer with local children and teens in St. Louis, MO – in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Looking ahead: The big picture

Improving youth mental health requires collaboration. The Cigna Group Foundation will continue supporting and investing in programs that reach young people at home, in school, and in their communities. The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful nonprofit support, and improving youth mental health is one of the three core pillars of its wider, $27 million philanthropic and community engagement initiative. The other two are improving veteran mental health through housing stability and reducing barriers to health equity.