• by Colin Kirkland , May 31, 2024

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, Pinterest has a announced the “Hidden Healing Fund,” an initiative in partnership with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios aimed at elevating “diverse cultural healing practices that positively impact the mental health of young people.”

Per Pinterest, the fund will “pilot an initial collective investment of $1 million toward community organizations employing culturally led approaches to address mental health challenges for young people.”

Brands are invited to join Pinterest's mission in combating the youth mental health crisis in historically marginalized communities by investing corporate capital into existing community-based practices highlighted in a video series proposed by a group of young people called the Hidden Healers at the MTV Mental Health Youth Action Forum in 2022.

With support from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Ambassador Susan Rice, and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, the Hidden Healer's digital series has since reached over 10 million people and was recently nominated for 4 Shorty awards.

Recent reports show there is a critical need for inclusivity and representation in mental health narratives.

According to the Aakoma Project’s “2023 State of Mental Health for Youth of Color Report,” over half of the youth and young adults reported experiencing moderate to severe depression and/or anxiety, but 30% who reported needing treatment did not receive it. There is also a severe lack of BIPOC mental health professionals; only 10.4% of practicing psychiatrists are Black, Latino or Native American.

“Culture-first approaches offer different arrangements,” says Dr. Michael Fu, cultural therapist. “They don't focus on diagnoses, symptoms, or problem lists. Instead, they provide relationships and outlets to explore our grief, express our rage, uplift others, and find our joy.”

“Our hope is that queer and BIPOC youth see their cultural practices represented and uplifted and know that they're not alone and that there is support,” says Maddox Guerrilla, co-founder of Hidden Healers.