For Cynthia Steele, CEO of EMpower, mental health is the starting point for every form of youth empowerment. The organization works in 15 emerging market countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, partnering with local organizations that serve young people in marginalized and low-resource communities. Steele explains that the pressures of poverty, violence, and instability heighten the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide, yet many programs still treat mental health as secondary. EMpower instead sees it as the base that makes all other outcomes—education, employment, and agency—possible.

She points out that the crisis is global and growing. Mental health challenges once considered issues of the Global North are now recognized everywhere. For youth in poverty, the daily stress of survival compounds these challenges, making preventive and community-based care essential. EMpower’s philosophy centers on long-term, trust-based partnerships that allow organizations to respond to these needs in culturally relevant ways.

The organization’s model includes:

• Providing multi-year, flexible funding and technical assistance to local organizations.
• Supporting learning exchanges and shared research to strengthen evidence and collaboration.
• Building networks for grantees to share strategies and elevate local leadership.
• Funding programs that integrate wellbeing with education, livelihoods, and social connection.

The results include sustainable, community-driven models like Waves for Change in South Africa, which uses surfing to build resilience and reduce stress among young people.

Steele acknowledges the persistent stigma, scarce funding, and limited language available to describe mental health. Still, she is clear about the path forward: “We see it as foundational for every other kind of program that is seeking to give young people skills and opportunities.”

For Deborah Diedericks of EMpower, mental wellbeing must be woven into everyday life rather than presented as a specialized service. Based in Cape Town, she supports a global network of 150 partner organizations across 15 emerging market countries, helping them approach mental health through safety, connection, and care. Diedericks argues that the term “mental health” often triggers stigma and misunderstanding, especially in low- and middle-income contexts, where it is frequently equated with illness. EMpower instead frames mental wellbeing as a continuum and focuses on prevention, self-regulation, and hope.

Her approach centers on creating safe spaces for young people aged 10 to 24, supported by reliable adults from their own communities. Whether through math tutoring, sports programs, or youth clubs, these environments become places of belonging that promote calm, confidence, and trust. Simple practices, such as breathing exercises at the start of a class, help young people manage stress and improve focus. The model reframes mental health as a natural part of learning, community, and everyday care rather than a clinical intervention.

EMpower’s work includes:

• Integrating mental health first aid training into youth-serving organizations.
• Establishing culturally relevant referral pathways for youth in distress.
• Training local mentors who reflect the identities and experiences of the youth they serve.
• Supporting community-based programs that strengthen self-worth, agency, and belonging.

The outcomes are reflected in improved attendance, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of self-regulation among young people.

Challenges persist in overcoming factors like systemic poverty, cultural stigma, and limited access to professional care, and measuring mental health outcomes remains complex across diverse contexts. Still, Diedericks sees lasting progress in normalizing mental wellbeing as an everyday act of safety, connection, and kindness.