Bloom buddy program
At Dahlia Health, your teen’s safety is at the heart of everything we do. Our Bloom Buddies are carefully selected near-peer mentors (ages 20–32) who undergo comprehensive training and rigorous background checks. They’re here to offer thoughtful, age-appropriate support while reinforcing trust that starts at home.
How Are Bloom Buddies Selected And Trained?
Ensuring the safety and well-being of your teen is our top priority. Our training program is designed to equip mentors with the skills necessary for effective support and to triage concerns to the right resources as required.
Interviews and Background Checks
Before beginning training, every mentor undergoes a multi-step selection process, including scenario-based interviews with healthcare professionals and care team leads. We also conduct industry-grade background checks to ensure the highest level of safety and trust.
Expert Training to support teens
Mentors are trained to handle the complex emotional and physical challenges teens face today, from anxiety and bullying to body image and identity. Training includes modules in active listening, cultural sensitivity, risk assessment, and crisis response, designed by medical professionals with input from therapists.
continuous supervision
After every teen interaction, mentors submit a detailed report that is reviewed by a medical doctor. This ensures medical oversight, continuous improvement, and that each teen is receiving the safest and most appropriate support possible.
Who are the bloom buddies?
Sam, 23, NY
Hi! I'm a med student at NYU and former athlete who's been through the struggles of balancing sports, school, and health. I can chat about nutrition, skin issues, body image, or finding your way through high school and college prep.
Jini, 27, nY
Growing up as a first-gen kid from Portland taught me how easy it is to feel lost in the teen years. Now, between Cortados and movie nights with my friends, I’m here to make sure you never feel invisible. No matter what you are dealing with.
Lindsey, 27, CT
Switching schools, juggling divorced parents, and endless step-sibling drama taught me exactly how lonely anxiety can feel. I’m that friend who’s been through the same chaos and can help you find calm, confidence, and your real crew.
Sasha, 24, CA
Hey there! I'm a new nursing grad who’s been in your shoes. I’m here to listen to anything from anxiety and family drama to hormones and school stress. I'm also the daughter of immigrants and can talk about what that's like.
Karen, 32, MD
Teen life was messy for me too. Anxiety, family pressure, feeling like no one really got it. Now I’m here with open ears (and a coffee in hand) to make sure you never have to figure it out alone. Reality TV, deep talks, life drama. I'm here it for all!
Waverly, 22, PA
I’m a recent college grad from Louisiana who knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by friendships and big life changes. I’m here to chat about stress, identity, self-confidence, relationships. Let’s talk through it together!
Haley, 24, NY
Hi there! NYC-based social media creator here who's passionate about teen health. I get how frustrating healthcare can be when you're not taken seriously. Let's chat about whatever's going on. I'm here to listen and help however I can.
What are teens saying about their bloom buddies?
“Bloom buddies > random advice on tiktok” - 18yo Teen
"I literally came in exhausted. Mentally, physically, emotionally—just DONE. My Bloom Buddy didn’t push me to ‘get it together.’ She just sat with me in it. And weirdly? That helped more than any to-do list."
- 17yo Teen Girl, Texas
"Bloom Buddies > random advice on TikTok. I kept seeing stuff online but didn’t know what was actually helpful. My Buddy explained real coping tools in a way that made sense for me. Also, she had vibes, so I liked opening up"
- 18yo Teen Boy, Maryland
"I was dealing with friend drama AND a major identity crisis. My Bloom Buddy didn’t try to ‘fix’ me. She just let me word-vomit everything, then helped me break it down without making me feel dumb. It was like therapy, but cozy."
- 16yo Teen Girl, California
What can Bloom buddies discuss with my teen and what is out of scope?
At Dahlia Health, we deeply respect the role that families play in a teen’s life and believe that care works best when it honors each family’s unique values and beliefs. Our goal is to create a supportive space where teens can talk openly about their health, build self-advocacy skills, and feel empowered. Bloom Buddies serve as a bridge between teens’ everyday experiences and the healthcare system—not as a replacement for professional care or parental guidance. We are committed to being transparent with families while also respecting the privacy and growing independence of teens. Below, we outline what Bloom Buddies talk about with teens and where their role begins and ends.
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Scope of Support: Bloom Buddies create judgment-free spaces for discussing anxiety, depression, self-harm concerns, suicidal thoughts, eating challenges, OCD behaviors, and related struggles. Through active listening and validation, mentors help reduce isolation while connecting teens to appropriate resources.
Approach:
Foster open dialogue about mental health experiences
Share personal recovery stories when appropriate
Guide toward evidence-based, publicly available resources
Encourage social connection and goal development
Support action-oriented planning for wellness
Limitations: Bloom Buddies cannot diagnose conditions, recommend treatments, or provide therapeutic interventions. All clinical decisions remain with licensed healthcare providers.
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Scope of Support: Mentors provide emotional support around chronic conditions, body image struggles, nutrition concerns, sleep difficulties, and general wellness challenges. They share general lifestyle information about healthy habits and self-care practices.
Approach:
Offer empathetic listening for health-related stress
Share wellness education on sleep, stress management, and self-care
Connect teens with reputable health information sources
Encourage professional medical consultation
Limitations: Medical advice, symptom interpretation, treatment recommendations, and healthcare decision guidance are beyond the scope of peer mentorship. All medical concerns require professional evaluation.
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Scope: When teens initiate discussions about gender identity or sexuality, Bloom Buddies provide supportive listening without judgment. Resource sharing occurs only upon direct request, using neutral, publicly available materials.
Boundaries: Mentors never initiate these conversations or recommend identity exploration or affirming interventions.
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Scope: Support focuses on emotional aspects of reproductive health concerns while maintaining strict adherence to state regulations. All medical guidance comes from licensed professionals only.
Boundaries: No endorsement of sexual activity, reproductive treatment advice, or assistance with potentially illegal activities.
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Scope: Educational harm reduction takes precedence when teens disclose substance use. Mentors emphasize legal compliance and safety while connecting teens with specialized resources through clinical supervisors.
Boundaries: Zero tolerance for encouraging or condoning substance use in minors.
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Scope: Bloom Buddies encourage following prescribed care plans while promoting honest provider communication. Personal medication experiences may be shared when relevant.
Boundaries: No involvement in medication decisions, treatment modifications, or medical choice guidance.
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Scope: Discussion centers on how current events impact teen wellbeing, maintaining political neutrality while supporting civic engagement within legal boundaries.
Boundaries: Personal political opinions remain private; no attempts to influence teen perspectives.
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Scope: Respectful acknowledgment of teen-initiated spiritual discussions occurs without promoting specific beliefs. General resources may be shared upon request.
Boundaries: No religious advocacy or initiation of faith-based conversations.
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All Bloom Buddies serve as mandated reporters under state law. Specific reporting requirements are outlined in our separate mandated reporting policy document.
How does dahlia ensure safety for my teen during bloom buddy visits?
If a teen shares something concerning during a conversation with a Bloom Buddy, we take it seriously. Our team follows a clear crisis response protocol in partnership with the Dahlia Health Team to ensure the teen’s safety. Bloom Buddies are also mandated reporters and are trained to respond appropriately if a teen is at risk. For more details on each policy, click on the policy of interest below. Feel free to email legal@dahlia.health for additional questions or schedule time with the team here.
NOTE: These policies apply ONLY to human-led interactions during live hours. Dahlia’s AI and automated tools are not equipped to manage emergencies or report concerning situations. If a teen is in crisis while using these features or after-hours, they will be directed to contact 988, text “HOME” to 741741, or call 911.