Some kids carry more than backpacks to school. They carry the weight of anxiety, family stress, loneliness, and pressure to “keep it together” when things inside don’t feel okay.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (BBBSLI), we believe that mentorship isn’t just about school support or weekend activities—it’s about emotional connection. And that connection can make all the difference for a child’s mental well-being.
Quiet Crises in Young Lives
Across Long Island, more young people are facing emotional struggles than ever before.
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1 in 5 adolescents experiences a diagnosable mental health condition
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Social isolation, bullying, and family stress have intensified post-pandemic
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Many kids say they don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone about it
This is where mentors step in—not as therapists, but as consistent, caring adults who listen without judgment and show up week after week.
“Sometimes, I don’t want advice. I just want someone to listen and not make it weird. My Big does that,” shared one BBBSLI mentee.
How Mentors Support Mental Health—Without Even Realizing It
Mentors aren’t trained clinicians, but their impact on a child’s emotional well-being is real and lasting.
Here’s how:
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They listen without fixing. Sometimes, just being heard is enough.
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They provide perspective. Kids see the world differently when someone walks beside them
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They offer consistency. In a chaotic world, mentors become a stable presence.
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They normalize emotion. It’s okay to be mad, sad, or unsure—and mentors remind them of that.
A Day in the Life of an Emotionally-Aware Mentor
It might look like grabbing a smoothie after school and asking, “How’s your head today?”
Or noticing when a usually talkative Little is suddenly quiet, and gently checking in.
Or texting, “Thinking of you—anything on your mind?” during a tough week.
These moments may seem small, but to a young person, they say: You matter. You’re not alone.
Supporting the Supporters
BBBSLI doesn’t just leave mentors to figure it out alone. Our team offers:
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Mental health training and resources for Bigs
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Ongoing match support from professional staff
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Guidance when a mentor is unsure how to handle sensitive conversations
“I wasn’t sure how to talk to my Little about their anxiety. BBBSLI helped me feel confident and supported,” one mentor shared.
A Culture of Compassion
What BBBSLI is creating isn’t just a mentoring program instead it’s a community of care. One that recognizes that emotional well-being is foundational to a child’s success in school, relationships, and life.
By simply being present, mentors give kids the space to feel their feelings and start to heal.
Want to Help Support Youth Mental Health?
You don’t need a degree in psychology. You just need empathy, patience, and a little time.
Final Thought
For many of the kids in BBBSLI’s programs, their mentor is the first adult who asks how they’re really doing—and waits for the answer.
That alone can change a life.
