What the data shows
Somethings is a peer support intervention for youth ages 13–26 designed to make it easier to engage in mental healthcare. Fit Minded analyzed real-world data from 5,673 adolescents and young adults enrolled from 2023 to 2026.
Reach and Engagement
98.1%
of enrolled teens engaged with their mentor at least once
57%
identified as Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, or another race/ethnicity outside the White non-Hispanic majority, a more diverse reach than is typically seen in digital mental health research
Teens in areas with the greatest mental health provider shortages engaged more frequently with their mentor, not less
Clinical Outcomes
Among 1,437 teens with a baseline and at least one follow-up assessment
32–38%
of teens with follow-up data reached a clinically meaningful improvement on the PHQ-9, GAD-7, or WHO-5
2 in 3
About two in three teens with follow-up data showed some positive movement on at least one outcome
significantly
sustained
Depression, anxiety, and well-being scores improved significantly by the first follow-up and stayed improved through the last assessment (median ~10 weeks later)
Evidence into action
This is early, real-world evidence that text-based peer mentorship reaches underserved teens at scale and produces clinically meaningful improvement for a substantial share of those who stay engaged.
For payers, state partners, and health systems, that supports coverage decisions and referral confidence, and it positions Somethings as a scalable model for closing the adolescent access gap.
A peer support intervention that makes it easier to engage in mental healthcare
Somethings serves youth ages 13–26 and helps stabilize young people in their communities.
Scope of the problem
- Nearly one in five U.S. adolescents meets criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition, and rates of depression and anxiety have risen sharply over the past decade.1
- Fewer than half of children and adolescents with a treatable mental health disorder receive care from a mental health professional.2
- Access is further limited by clinician shortages, particularly outside major metro areas.3
The Somethings model
Specialized
Certified Peer Specialists
Trained in lived-experience-informed support, crisis recognition, and communication skills, under structured clinical oversight.
Supported
Asynchronous text messaging
The modality that aligns with how digitally native adolescents already communicate.4
Measured
Validated clinical measures
PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHO-5 Well-Being Index at enrollment and regular follow-up intervals, as part of routine measurement-based care.
For payers, health systems, investors, and partners interested in exploring how Somethings can support your population:
Sources
- Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021). Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(11), 1142–1150.
- Whitney, D. G., & Peterson, M. D. (2019). U.S. national and state-level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(4), 389–391.
- Andrilla, C. H. A., Patterson, D. G., Garberson, L. A., Coulthard, C., & Larson, E. H. (2018). Geographic variation in the supply of selected behavioral health providers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), S199–S207.
- Haack, L. M., Armstrong, C. C., Travis, K., Aguilera, A., & Darrow, S. M. (2024). HealthySMS text messaging system adjunct to adolescent group cognitive behavioral therapy in the context of COVID-19 (Let’s Text!): Pilot feasibility and acceptability study. JMIR Mental Health, 11, e49317.
- McAlister, K.L., Huffman, L., Jewell, C., Childs, A.W., Cox, E., & Huberty, J. (2026). Engagement Patterns and Clinical Outcomes Among Adolescents and Young Adults Enrolled in a Digital Peer Mentorship Platform: A Descriptive Retrospective Analysis of Somethings. Manuscript in review.
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