In San Antonio and South Texas, many teenagers struggle to access essential mental health services due to a shortage of professionals, long wait times, and stigma. To address these challenges, UT Teen Health has initiated Project YES (Youth Empowerment and Support), a grant-funded program within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.

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Project YES collaborates with Northwestern University and the nonprofit Koko, focusing on integrating mental health tools that resonate with youth. The initiative provides free, anonymous online sessions for teens aged 13–17, helping them learn strategies to manage stress and anxiety.

By offering online resources, UT Teen Health and Project YES aim to reach teens where they are most comfortable. The Project YES website features accessible tools designed to enhance mood, build confidence, reduce stress, and facilitate connections to further care if necessary.

"Teen mental health has always been important, but it’s especially crucial right now," said Jacklynn Ware, UT Teen Health project coordinator. Many teens find it difficult to discuss their feelings with parents or guardians due to the stigma surrounding mental health.

To create a more relevant resource, UT Teen Health and Project YES collaborated with local youth to redesign the Project YES website, which will be launched in early 2025. This redesign directly addresses the needs of San Antonio teens, offering practical, mobile-accessible support without the need for registration.

Participants can choose from various 10-minute modules focused on topics such as mood improvement, body image, and coping with negative thoughts. The redesign was guided by feedback from local teens involved in the Youth Leadership Council and the Project YES Teen Ambassador Program. These youth reviewed the modules and helped shape the site.

The updated website includes voice recordings where local teens share their mental health experiences, including challenges and solutions. Some teens opted to share their stories in Spanish, ensuring broader accessibility.

The platform also includes a crisis response feature. If a teen indicates distress during a session, they will be redirected to crisis resources. UT Teen Health employs AI technology to identify concerning responses and facilitate immediate support.

On Monday, Oct. 12, UT Teen Health will host a free mental health workshop for middle school students aged 11–14, aimed at fostering skills for emotional well-being. This event will take place at the Academic Learning and Teaching Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Health Science Center, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Participants will engage in interactive activities to recognize their strengths, manage stress, and build supportive connections while learning about self-care and available mental health resources, including Project YES. Ware emphasized the importance of recognizing when to involve an adult in mental health challenges, as many teens prefer confiding in friends over parents.

Parental consent is required, and while parents will not be present during the workshop, they will receive resources to facilitate conversations about mental health with their children. UT Teen Health will also conduct a free webinar for parents and guardians on how to communicate effectively with teens regarding mental health on Oct. 26 and Nov. 19.