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Chapter Resources

Tools to support your chapter’s operations, programming, and other activities.

Help your chapter thrive

As part of the Active Minds Chapter Network, you have access to a plethora of resources to support your chapter’s operations, programming, and other activities. Thriving chapters create mental health change in their school’s community.

Upcoming Events

Chapter Support Hours

The Active Minds Student Advisory Committee (SAC) will host 1-hour Chapter Support Hours for our chapter network to book twice a month from 6 PM-7 PM EST (3 PM-4 PM PST) on the first Wednesday of each month and 3 PM-4 PM EST (12 PM-1 PM PST) on the last Wednesday of each month.

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These sessions are an open space for chapter leaders, members, and those interested in learning more about Active Minds chapters to stop by with any questions or ideas related to:

  • Collaborative brainstorming for fundraising, chapter engagement, and recruitment
  • Planning events and initiatives
  • Advocacy work on campus and in the community
  • Guidance on starting a new Active Minds chapter

During these sessions, SAC members will share helpful information, resources, and strategies that could help engage your chapters. They’ll also connect chapters with Active Minds national staff when additional support is needed.

Keep in mind that there will be 10-minute slots available for each chapter support hour for you to schedule a meeting with an SAC member. If you feel that you will need more time than that, please get in touch with our Manager for Chapter Mobilization and Engagement at thalia@activeminds.org detailing your inquiry.

Upcoming Support Schedule

 

Chapter Chats

Chapter Chats are monthly, one-hour conversations led by the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee. These sessions focus on chapter and mental health-related topics relevant to our members. The interactive discussions often feature national staff from Active Minds, mental health advocacy leaders, and other experts, providing opportunities for learning, engagement, and meaningful dialogue.

Upcoming Chapter Chats

Topic: Navigating Mental Health Policy & Advocacy
Date: October 20th, 6 pm to 7 pm ET
Registration Link

Hosted by: SAC members Vashti Trujillo & Varsha Penumalee

This Chapter Chat on Navigating Mental Health Policy and Advocacy will be led by Anika Rahaman, Director of Policy at Active Minds, who will provide an overview of mental health policy, highlight effective advocacy strategies, and share tools to engage policymakers and communities. Participants will gain insight into the challenges and opportunities within the mental health policy and advocacy landscape and leave with practical resources to support ongoing efforts in advancing mental health equity.


Topic: Healing Out Loud: Breaking Stigma Through Play and Connection
Date: November 19th, 6 pm to 7 pm ET
Registration Link

Hosted by: SAC members Faria Tavacoli and Nadira Akilo

During this month’s chapter chat, we will discuss the topic “Healing Out Loud: Breaking Stigma Through Play and Connection,” a heartfelt conversation that explores how creativity, laughter, and authentic connection can support healing and challenge stigma. Together, we’ll explore the power of play as a tool for emotional growth, community building, and self-expression, creating a space where you can be seen, supported, and heard in your mental health journey.


Topic: Beating Burnout
Date: December 4th, 6 pm to 7 pm ET
Registration Link

Hosted by: SAC members Angel Velasquez and Marissa Smith

During this month’s Chapter Chat, we will discuss the topic “Beating Burnout,” an empowering conversation designed to support the mental well-being of youth and young adults. Together, we’ll explore how to recognize the signs of burnout, manage stress, and set healthy boundaries. Through shared experiences and practical strategies, we’ll learn how to restore balance, build resilience, and protect our energy while fostering a healthier mindset for growth and connection.

If you have questions or need support, please reach out to the Active Minds Chapters Team.

Chapter Operations

Resources to help you and your chapter operate with efficiency.

Start Here!

This shared folder contains everything you need to help you get your chapter started or refreshed when new leaders come on board. You’ll find the Chapter Agreement, Constitution, sample activity planner, recruitment materials, and more!

Chapter Logos

Each Active Minds Chapter will have a logo made for their school. Before you download your Chapter Logo, please read the brief guidelines below. Important: Please do not alter the provided logos.

Operations Resources

Chapter Brand Guidelines

This step-by-step guide will help your chapter look your best and communicate clearly. It also includes templates for all sorts of chapter activities.

Lifecycle of a Chapter

As you start planning how your chapter can grow and mobilize toward mental health change, it may help to think of your chapter work as a cycle that continues over time.

Role of the Advisor

There is no right way to serve as an advisor of an Active Minds chapter. However, we do have recommendations that can serve as a guide for you and your chapter leaders to determine what your relationship is like.

Keeping Your Chapter Active: National Requirements

The Active Minds National Office is here to support you in your mental health advocacy journey. This guide makes it easy for your chapter to maintain good standing and continue to have access to our national staff for technical assistance, and chapter-exclusive resources and opportunities.

Student Advisory Committee

The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) represents the Active Minds’ student voice nationally, consisting of college and university student leaders from active Chapters that collaborate with our national staff, boards, and committees on our work.

Activities & Programming

Guides to help your chapter program with best practices and creative ideas.

Chapter Meetings Guide

Most Active Minds chapters will hold regular meetings for their members. Chapter meetings serve as a regular time to gather a group and connect with each other, though there are so many possibilities for how you use this time.

Tabling Guide

Tabling at your school is a fantastic way to engage with your peers, promote your club, and recruit new members. School communities have unique characteristics and challenges, so adapting your tabling strategy to meet the needs of the student body is essential for success.

Programmatic Best Practices

A great deal of the work your chapter does will likely be related to planning, executing, and collaborating on high-impact programming. No two programs look alike and can include things like tabling, events on a range of mental health topics, guest speakers, partnering with other clubs and school offices/administrators, policy advocacy, and more.

Mental Health Messaging Best Practices

The way that we talk about mental health can be profoundly impactful, both in advocacy or programming settings and in casual conversation. We can embody values of inclusion, connection, and creating positive change by using language that reflects those values.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are key focus areas of all Active Minds’ chapters. Mental health impacts people from all walks of life, and it’s essential to be thoughtful and deliberate about ensuring that your programming is inclusive and accessible to all.

Active Minds & Health Equity

The need for equitable access to health and mental health resources is greater than ever before. By centering health equity, we can cultivate a mentally healthier, more just future for all. We encourage you to share the video with your chapter.

Here are a few options for how to do this:

  • Watch the video together at an upcoming chapter meeting
  • Share the link to the video in your chapter’s group chat
  • Discuss the video with your chapter leadership team and/or advisor and brainstorm ideas

Fundraising Guide

Doing a fundraiser — like a bake sale, garage sale, community walk, or open mic night — as an Active Minds chapter is easy and a direct way to mobilize the people around you to join our movement for mental health change.

Stress Less Week

This toolkit has education, tips, and resources designed to help you better understand and mitigate your stress while helping to shape a positive mental health culture in your community.

High School Chapter Guide

This guide is a tool for both prospective and current high school chapters as you build mental health advocacy efforts in your unique school community

Community College Guide

Informed by Active Minds leaders from community colleges around the country, this guide outlines the benefits of having Active Minds on your campus and provides practical steps to establish and sustain a thriving, student-led chapter tailored to the unique needs of a community college.

HBCU Report

Lessons from Black Colleges on Mental Health and Wellbeing: Practical Approaches for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Support Student Belonging and Mental Health.

Other Active Minds Programs

Active Minds has a range of programs and resources to support your chapter’s mental health advocacy efforts.