09/01/2026
The recent Meta settlement with 47 state attorneys general represents a critical turning point for youth mental health. With substantial new funding heading to states, there is an unprecedented opportunity to invest in su***de prevention, digital well-being, afterschool programs, and crisis intervention.
JED’s work with schools and communities across the nation – representing 10 million youth – shows that real protection and prevention require action across every level of a young person’s environment. Funding should not just address immediate crises; it must build lasting infrastructure.
We urge state leaders to direct settlement dollars toward building capacity within schools, school districts, youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs), and municipalities so that states have the chance to create a stronger, more strategic safety net to help prevent su***de and protect the emotional well-being of young people across the nation.
Read JED’s POV here:
Meta’s recent settlement with 47 states comes after years of young people and families speaking out about harms they experienced, and state attorneys general seeking
