By being a consistent adult presence in a young person’s life, mentors can offer advice, share their life experiences, and help a young person navigate challenges.

 

A study (The Role of Risk, 2013) showed that the strongest benefit from mentoring, and most consistent across risk groups, was a reduction in depressive symptoms — particularly noteworthy as almost one in four youth reported concerning levels of these symptoms at baseline. Mentoring has also been shown to promote positive social attitudes, improved relationships, and better communication with parents and adults.