On October 9, 2025, the Cigna Group Foundation unveiled its Improving Youth Mental Health 2025 Impact Report, showcasing a significant commitment to addressing the youth mental health crisis in America. Through a robust grant initiative, the Foundation has distributed over $3 million to 23 nonprofit organizations across 10 states, impacting the lives of over 34,000 youth, families, and professionals in underserved communities.

2. A Collaborative Effort

Melissa Skottegaard, board chair of the Cigna Group Foundation, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in tackling mental health issues. "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," she stated. This collaboration highlights the Foundation's belief that community-based organizations are integral to the success of mental health initiatives.

3. Key Program Highlights

The report detailed various activities funded through the grant program, which supported youth, parents, and professionals in several impactful ways:

8,576 youth mental health education sessions

4,392 behavioral health therapy sessions

6,759 social-emotional learning activities

8,397 adult mental health literacy trainings

5,960 case management, grief counseling, mentoring, and parental engagement workshops

These initiatives have shown impressive outcomes, with grantees reporting achievement rates as high as 94% for their specific mental health programming goals. These successes have translated into measurable improvements in areas such as access to care, emotional resilience, social connectedness, and academic achievement.

4. Personal Stories of Transformation

The report also featured personal testimonials from program participants. One youth participant from the New London Counseling Center in Pennsylvania shared, "If I never came here, I don't know if I'd still be here... Counseling helped me get everything off my chest. For so long, I kept everything bottled up. Now I feel lighter." Such stories illustrate the profound impact of the Foundation's support on individual lives.

5. A Broader Commitment to Mental Health

The Cigna Group Foundation's youth mental health initiatives are part of a broader $27 million, three-year investment aimed at fostering healthier futures through community-based care. This commitment underscores their focus on early intervention, culturally responsive programming, and empowering caregivers and educators to enhance young people's emotional well-being.

Through a national grant, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America have also played a vital role in this initiative, implementing trauma-informed practices in over 81% of clubs, developing mental health resources for teens, and distributing nearly 1,000 youth mental health packs created by Cigna employees.

6. Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities

As part of its ongoing efforts, the Cigna Group Foundation plans to open a new application period for organizations supporting youth mental health in early 2026. Further details will be made available on their website, inviting new partnerships to continue this essential work.

7. About the Cigna Group Foundation

The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group and its subsidiaries. Its mission encompasses collaboration with nonprofit organizations to address significant health challenges, improve access to care, and respond to humanitarian needs.

Through such endeavors, the Cigna Group Foundation aims to forge a stronger, healthier future for youth across America, ensuring that mental health support is accessible to those who need it most.

Original press release