The Braid Foundation

11/02/2025

Check out Dr. Neik!

10/29/2025

This is why we advocate for access.
Why we keep showing up.
Why we don’t quit when we’re exhausted.
Our young people are carrying so much—and they shouldn’t have to carry it alone.
❤️‍🔥 THIS. IS. OUR. WHY.

08/08/2025

⭐️ SHARE ⭐️ SHARE ⭐️ SHARE ⭐️ SHARE ⭐️

We’re still offering ‼️FREE‼️therapy services to youth aged 13-18 in Shelby County, TN!

Youth can register here 👉🏾 https://www.thebraidfoundation.org/youth-connect-therapists-1

08/06/2025

🌟 Youth Connect Turns ONE! 🌟

A year ago, around Memorial Day Weekend, Youth Connect officially launched as a bold collaboration between The Braid Foundation and the Shelby County Youth & Family Resource Center (YFRC) — and what a year it’s been! Youth Connect makes it possible for youth aged 13-18 to get FREE therapy (12 sessions) as long as they are a Shelby County resident.

In just 12 months, we’ve:

🧠 Provided therapy services to 345 youth across Shelby County
💬 Held over 1,389 therapy sessions with care, compassion, and cultural relevance
🌱 Connected with 5 community partners to bring mental health care to our youth IN their communities. Shout out to Giddy Up, Love Hope Grace, Memphis Public Libraries, Peer Power, The Pursuit Center, & Red Door Urban Ministries‼️

This past week, we gathered for our annual program review, reflecting on everything we’ve accomplished — and everything still ahead. Our hope for this upcoming year? To reach even more youth, continue to reduce wait times, and deepen trust across our communities. 💛

None of this would be possible without our village.

🙏🏾 Thank you to our community partners who opened their doors and welcomed us into their spaces to offer therapy in safe, familiar settings.

💼 Deep gratitude to the local therapists and therapy practices who pledged their time, energy, and hearts to this work. We cannot transform the mental health landscape without a strong, supported mental health workforce. See these amazing practices and individuals below👇🏾

To our Shelby County community — thank you for believing in Youth Connect. This is your program. These are our young people. And this is just the beginning.

Shelby County Youth who are 13-18 years old castill register for FREE therapy here: https://www.thebraidfoundation.org/youth-connect-therapists-1

05/30/2025

05/21/2025

🚨 🚨 The House is preparing to
Vote.
Tell your Representative to vote NO: https://bit.ly/3FkoAJJ

🚨 The House is preparing to vote on their budget bill as early as TONIGHT. This bill still includes at least $715 billion in devastating funding cuts to Medicaid that will negatively impact people with mental illness.

Tell your Representative to vote NO: https://bit.ly/3FkoAJJ

05/17/2025

Millington, Let’s Talk About It!
We’re coming together for a real conversation on youth & young adult mental health—and we need your voice in the room.

Join us May 20 | 5:30–7:00 PM | Millington City Hall
Let’s talk healing, support, and what our young people need to thrive.

Know someone in Millington?
A parent, a teacher, a coach, a student? Share this with them!
This event is free, open to the public, and part of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Let’s show up for each other.

05/10/2025

Great advice! Thanks for sharing, Kaché. Young people tell us ALL the time how they don’t feel heard or know how to communicate with some of the grown folks in their lives.

05/08/2025

05/06/2025

Building connection, community, care for youth mental health! 💚

03/20/2025

🗣️ Youth Prevention & Intervention: Are We Supporting or Just Blaming?

Thanks to Safer Memphis 365, we had the opportunity to come together as a community and have real conversations about what it will take to make Memphis safer. Youth Prevention and Intervention was just one of many critical areas discussed, but one thing stood out—a lot of blame was placed on parents.

Many adults called for parents to be held accountable, even to face consequences. But when we actually listen to young people, they’re asking for more than just accountability—they need real support, safer spaces, and opportunities to thrive.

Here’s what youth are telling us they need, directly from the mouth of our young people last night:

✅ Safer communities—places where they feel protected, not just policed.
✅ More opportunities for healthy activities—both pro-social and career-focused (internships, education, mentorship).
✅ Support for intergenerational trauma—helping families heal, not just punishing behaviors.
✅ Access to mental health support—because emotional well-being is prevention, too.
✅ Resources for parents—because stronger families create stronger youth.
✅ More parent & community engagement in schools—because students thrive when the adults in their lives are actively involved.

🔹 Youth need direct support, not just adult accountability.
🔹 Parents need resources, not just criticism.
🔹 Schools need investment and community engagement, not just blame.
🔹Communities must be safe, not just reactive.
🔹 Prevention works best when we empower young people AND support the adults in their lives.

Instead of just asking "who should be doing more," let’s ask "what young people actually need to feel safe, supported, and hopeful." Are we building "systems of support"—or just pointing fingers?

Let’s shift the conversation. Drop your thoughts below. ⬇️

03/12/2025

🔥 Passionate About Mental Health? This is for YOU!🔥

We’re looking for youth (13+) and adults who want to use their skills, time, and voice to make an impact! The Youth Connect Ambassador Program is an intergenerational movement where young people and adults work together to uplift mental well-being, share resources, and create change in their communities. 💙

✨ Flexible time commitment
✨ Advocate for youth mental health
✨ Be part of something bigger

🚀 Your voice matters—let’s make a difference together!

Apply now! ⬇️ www.thebraidfoundation.org/ambassador-program