Youth on Record has always been about more than music. Every day, we provide free music workshops, for-credit music classes, paid internships, performance opportunities, artist development, and professional studio time to young creatives. But at our core, Youth on Record (YOR) is about supporting the whole young person. Every program we offer is intentionally designed to promote social-emotional development, community connection, economic opportunity, and mental health and wellness.

For young people in Denver, especially those navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, or isolation, creative expression can be a powerful tool for healing. Research continues to show that music and arts-based programs can positively impact youth mental health by reducing symptoms of depression, increasing self-confidence, and strengthening social bonds. That belief has long guided our work and over the past year, we’ve taken it even further.

Deepening our commitment to youth mental health

Thanks to support from Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) and the Caring for Denver Foundation, Youth on Record hired a full-time Mental Health and Wellness Manager, Gavrielle Reyes, and invested in training, partnerships, and systems that strengthen our ability to support young people’s mental health and well-being.

Gavrielle’s role centers on integrating mental health and holistic wellness support across the organization, establishing partnerships with external resources and organizations, and meeting young people where they are, given everyone’s unique mental health and wellness needs.

“Third spaces like Youth on Record make us feel like we are a part of a community, something bigger than ourselves. Sober, safer third spaces are so needed, especially for young folks. Proximity to even one trusted adult, someone who offers support without judgement, helps ameliorate stress and offers opportunities for prevention and intervention.”  - Gavrielle Reyes

Mental health woven into creative education programs

Rather than siloing mental health support, YOR integrates it directly into our creative education programs, events, and offerings. Instead of following a traditional approach that asks young people to step outside their usual spaces in order to access mental health resources, we bring the resources to a space youth already willingly, and eagerly, frequent - the Youth on Record studio.

Gavrielle maintains a consistent, visible presence across the organization, offering mental health resources at open mics, visiting classrooms, and scheduling check-ins with program participants who need additional support.

This intentional integration helps destigmatize mental health conversations and encourages youth to talk openly with peers about their experiences. By embedding mental health support into creative spaces, Youth on Record normalizes care, vulnerability, and mutual support.

Youth voices leading the conversation

Youth on Record empowers young artists to bring conversations about mental health into the broader Denver community. YOR’s Media Arts Program – and the award-winning Youth on Rewind podcast – amplifies the voices of young people, who regularly share about what mental health and wellbeing means to them. Whether on the airwaves or on stage, creative expression supports young creatives in processing their own mental health journey. Through sharing their stories and experiences, young people in the Media Arts Program are sculpting the narrative of youth-centered mental health and encouraging others to add their own voices. Every Youth on Rewind is a must-listen, but we recommend “What is Mental Health?”, “Paths to Recovery”, and “Jacob’s Daydream” to hear young people speak on mental health, substance misuse, and processing trauma.

Building near-peer support and leadership

Youth on Record’s mental health work has also expanded through larger initiatives like Mental Health Action Day (MHAD), held each May. The 2025 MHAD sparked a renewed focus on near-peer support by training a group of YOR youth (ages 18-24) in Mental Health First Aid so they can better support one another both within Youth on Record and in the larger community.

YOR Fellow Alumni Rayann Hussain participated in the MHAD training and peer activities, preparing her to speak on a panel at the Teaming Up for Youth Mental Health Summit, hosted by Attorney General Phil Weiser and the Denver Broncos Foundation. Rayann has since stepped into a larger near-peer lead role, supporting our Future of Femme offering and mentoring Mental Health & Wellness apprentices from the 2026 Fellowship cohort. In this role, Rayann is leading conversations about which mental health resources Denver youth need most and how to offer those supports in ways that feel accessible and relevant.

“I’ve been that kid who felt alone and hopeless. To hear someone say I was a support for them was one of the biggest wins of my life.” - Rayann Hussain

Expanding access to therapy and training in 2026

Through this increased attention to youth wellness needs, one clear ask has emerged: access to licensed, clinical mental health support. Responding to this request from youth participants, YOR has partnered with licensed therapists to offer free talk therapy sessions to young creatives enrolled in our programs.

The offered sessions filled immediately every week, highlighting the significant demand for affordable youth mental health services. As a result, YOR is expanding this offering by contracting additional therapists in 2026, ensuring more young people can access care without financial barriers.

In the coming year, YOR will also expand substance misuse prevention efforts through our peer-to-peer leadership model. Youth leaders will receive specialized training in substance misuse prevention and be equipped to share that knowledge with their peers and the wider community, further strengthening protective factors around mental health and wellness.

For Youth on Record, music is the entry point, but mental health, connection, and care are the foundation. By combining creative expression with intentional wellness support, YOR continues to be a trusted resource for Denver youth seeking both artistic growth and mental health support. If you’re looking for youth music programs in Denver that prioritize mental health, community, and holistic wellbeing, Youth on Record is proud to be that third space.

If you would like to learn more about Youth on Record’s Mental Health and Wellness work or how to support it, please reach out to Gavrielle at gavrielle@youthonrecord.org. 

If you are in a position to support this work year-round, please consider joining The Record Club, Youth on Record’s monthly giving community.