Next Gen Collective Backs Mental Health for Young Talent — SkimNews
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- Next Generation Collective launched a mental-health initiative Tuesday with The Kids Mental Health Foundation, targeting young people in entertainment, music and the creator economy who grow up in the public eye.
- The Collective debuted at Hollywood & Mind's inaugural summit at iHeartMedia in New York City, combining clinical expertise with entertainment leadership and firsthand experience of life in the spotlight.
- Lilah Kojoori, a children's entertainment communications executive with 20-plus years working with young performers and their families, founded the Collective to provide trusted resources and a stronger community of support.
- The Founding Advisory Board includes Angel Carter Conrad, Logan Henderson, Isabela Merced, Kel Mitchell, Soleil Moon Frye, Carmela Wallace (mother of Juice WRLD), Hudson Yang, Breanna Yde and Artists for Artists, with additional members to be announced.
- Dr. Ariana Hoet, Executive Clinical Director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, will provide clinical guidance to align the Collective's resources with evidence-informed mental health education.
- Hollywood & Mind, founded by veteran entertainment journalist Cathy Applefeld Olson, will connect the Collective with talent, executives, advocates and wellness professionals as a founding partner.
- Formal programming begins in 2027, when the Collective will develop expert-informed resources, education and support for young talent, their families and the studios, productions, agencies, managers and platforms that support them.
Why it matters: The Collective offers a structured pairing of clinical mental-health expertise and entertainment-industry leadership tailored for young talent — pediatric psychologists from Nationwide Children's Hospital working alongside performers who lived the experience. Formal programming doesn't begin until 2027, so studios, agencies and platforms supporting young talent face a year-plus wait for the Collective's resources to materialize.
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