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bryt’s Journey from Local Innovation to National Model

When Dr. Henry “Huck” White first observed students returning from psychiatric hospitalization to mountains of missed work, enormous anxiety, and social isolation, he knew something had to change. Many of these vulnerable young people were re-hospitalized before they could even schedule their first appointment at The Brookline Center. “We dreamed of a bridge to ease that transition,” says Dr. White.   

In 2004, bryt (pronounced “bright”) launched at Brookline High School with a simple but revolutionary premise: students facing serious mental health challenges could recover and succeed with the right support at the right time. Today, bryt has grown into a national model operating in more than 250 schools across seven states, serving thousands of students with remarkable results—with more than 85% completing their academic year and continuing to the next grade or graduation and a 78% reduction in re-hospitalizations among participants.  

“bryt has led the way in transforming school-based mental health support,” says Ian Lang, CEO of The Brookline Center. “Its success is proof that when schools have the right tools, they can create environments where every student has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and achieve their full potential.”

The Power of Community and Persistence  

bryt’s success story is deeply rooted in community support and strategic partnerships. As Dr. White reflects, “The truth is it takes a village—or in our case, a town—and a lot of good fortune to raise a program.” A pivotal moment came when the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation began funding partnerships between schools and mental health agencies, giving bryt its first real opportunity to flourish.  

Katherine Houle, bryt’s Director of School and District Support, recalls the program’s early impact on school culture: “Teachers became more flexible, understanding that we shared the same goal: helping students return to class. Staff began dropping into the bryt room, not to ask students, ‘Where have you been?’ but to say, ‘I’m really glad to see you.’ Their presence sent a clear message: bryt was not an island; it was a bridge.”  

Unprecedented Growth and Recognition  

Since 2016, the number of schools with bryt programs has grown by more than 600 percent. Over 66% of Massachusetts public high school students now attend schools with access to bryt if needed. The program has trained staff from more than 200 districts in school-based mental health best practices over the past five years alone.  

Paul Hyry-Dermith, bryt’s National Director, joined the team nine years ago after witnessing the program’s impact firsthand. He remembers meeting with bryt students at Amherst Regional High School who “spoke about their mental health with striking openness, clarity, and hope. From that moment, I was hooked on bringing bryt to as many students and families as possible.”  

Today, Hyry-Dermith oversees a program that has achieved remarkable outcomes: “While more than 50% of kids with serious mental health challenges drop out of school, 85% of bryt participants return to class, stay on track, and continue to the next grade or graduate with their peers.”  

Historic Investment 

The program received unprecedented recognition in 2024 with a $13 million state investment by Governor Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature. This historic funding is helping sustain bryt in more than 50 schools in gateway communities, including Boston, Brockton, Framingham, Lawrence, Lowell, Springfield, and Worcester. Governor Healey announced the investment at Wellesley High School, where one of the first bryt programs was established more than 19 years ago.  

The investment reflects the growing recognition that all students should have the support they need to balance their mental health and education. Hyry-Dermith notes, “As student mental health needs continue to rise, bryt is evolving to meet the moment. We’re working to ensure every school has access to a proven, sustainable approach to supporting students—and to make bryt a national standard for mental health recovery in education.”  

Looking Ahead 

Twenty years after its founding, bryt continues to prove that with the right support, every student can overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.  

Dr. Courtney Tucker, who leads bryt’s national expansion efforts, envisions an ambitious future: “Wouldn’t it be something if 20 years from now, every student nationwide had access to a bryt program?” With initial expansion targeted in Connecticut, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island, this vision is becoming increasingly achievable.