The Jed Foundation
National nonprofit focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among young people
Overview
The Jed Foundation is a leading national nonprofit that works to protect the emotional health of teens and young adults and prevent suicide. While not entertainment-specific, its resources are highly relevant for young actors navigating the pressures of a performance career.
The foundation offers free mental health screening tools, crisis resources, and educational content through its website and partnerships. Their programs address anxiety, depression, substance use, and the stress that comes with high-pressure environments.
How It Works
For young actors who may feel isolated by the competitive nature of the industry, The Jed Foundation provides a judgment-free starting point for getting help. Their resources can connect you to local mental health professionals and crisis support.
All of The Jed Foundation's resources are available at no cost. Their crisis text line and online screening tools are accessible 24/7 for anyone who needs immediate support.
Who Uses It
If you or someone you know in the industry is struggling emotionally, The Jed Foundation offers a safe first step toward help. The performance world demands emotional resilience, and seeking support is a sign of professionalism, not weakness. The foundation's Set to Go program specifically helps young people transitioning from high school to college or career, which aligns perfectly with the path many young actors take when entering conservatory programs or moving to industry hubs. Their Love Is Louder campaign promotes social connection and resilience, countering the isolation that often accompanies competitive performing arts environments.
Pricing & Plans
Every resource, screening tool, and educational program offered by The Jed Foundation is completely free with no registration, subscription, or payment required. The Crisis Text Line partnership allows anyone to text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support from trained counselors at no cost. Mental health screening tools on the website provide immediate, confidential assessments for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other conditions without requiring personal information. The foundation's campus programs are funded through institutional partnerships and philanthropy, meaning participating performing arts schools can offer JED resources at no cost to students. Compared to paid therapy platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace, The Jed Foundation serves a different function as a gateway to care rather than a treatment provider, making it a valuable free first step. There are no hidden costs, premium tiers, or upselling of any kind, and the organization is transparent about its nonprofit funding model.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The Jed Foundation's mental health screening tools are anonymous, immediate, and clinically validated, providing young actors with a private way to assess their emotional state without fear of judgment or career consequences. The Crisis Text Line partnership offers text-based crisis support that is particularly accessible for a generation of young performers who may find texting less intimidating than calling a hotline. The foundation's work with colleges and universities means that many performing arts conservatory students benefit from JED-informed campus mental health programs without even realizing the connection. Educational content on the website addresses specific challenges like anxiety, depression, substance use, and relationship stress in language that is direct and destigmatizing. The foundation's advocacy work helps shift cultural attitudes toward mental health in ways that benefit all young people in high-pressure fields, including the entertainment industry. The resource hub connects visitors to local mental health providers, support groups, and additional organizations, serving as a comprehensive directory for finding help.
What Could Be Better
The Jed Foundation is not a treatment provider and cannot offer direct therapy, counseling, or psychiatric care, so it functions primarily as a gateway rather than a solution for ongoing mental health needs. Resources are targeted primarily at teens and young adults, meaning older actors in their thirties and beyond may find the content and tone less relevant to their specific life stage and career challenges. The website's resource directory relies on third-party providers whose quality, availability, and cost vary significantly by location. The mental health screening tools provide general assessments but cannot diagnose specific conditions or replace a professional clinical evaluation. Campus-based programs are only available at participating institutions, leaving students at non-partnered performing arts schools without access to JED-specific programming. The foundation lacks entertainment-industry-specific content, so while its general mental health resources are valuable, they do not address the unique challenges of audition rejection, financial instability, and public scrutiny that actors face.
Our Recommendation
The Jed Foundation is most valuable for young actors and performing arts students who are experiencing emotional distress and need a confidential, free starting point for getting help. It is particularly appropriate for those who are unsure whether their feelings warrant professional attention, as the screening tools can help clarify the severity of what you are experiencing. If you are a student at a college or conservatory program, check whether your institution participates in JED campus programming, as this may provide access to enhanced mental health support. However, The Jed Foundation should not be your only resource if you are dealing with serious or chronic mental health challenges, as it is designed to connect you to care rather than provide ongoing treatment. Working actors who need consistent therapy should use The Jed Foundation's resources as a bridge to platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, or traditional in-person therapy. Parents of young actors should familiarize themselves with The Jed Foundation's parent resources, which provide guidance on supporting a child in a high-pressure creative field.
Pro Tips
Take the free mental health screening on the website today as a baseline check-in, even if you feel fine, because identifying early warning signs is far easier than addressing a full-blown crisis later. Save the Crisis Text Line number by texting HOME to 741741 and keeping the conversation thread in your messages so it is immediately accessible in a moment of need. Share The Jed Foundation's resources with classmates and fellow young actors in your program, as normalizing mental health conversations within your peer group reduces the stigma that prevents people from seeking help. If you are a performing arts student, advocate for your school to participate in the JED Campus program, which provides schools with a framework for supporting student mental health. Use the resource hub to identify local therapists and support groups before you are in crisis, so you have a plan in place when challenges arise. Follow The Jed Foundation on social media for regular mental health tips, event announcements, and content that keeps emotional wellness visible in your daily feed.