Be a high schooler who makes change in their community by joining the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy (the Academy) and taking your advocacy offline. We believe the best advocates for youth and young people are their peers. This program is designed to prepare 9th to 12th grade students to understand themselves, explore mental health through an equity lens, and build the knowledge and advocacy skills needed to take action.
Young people are leaders in the mental health movement and come with perspectives necessary to the advancement of equitable resources and policy. With mental health being deeply connected to issues such as racial justice, equitable access to care, school climate, representation, stigma, and culturally responsive support systems, The Academy exists to help students turn those concerns into informed, community-centered action.
The Academy centers LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and intersectional youth through interactive virtual sessions, discussions, mentorship, and hands-on activities. Students are given the opportunity to explore the mental health challenges impacting their communities while learning how advocacy can create meaningful change through a two part experience.
Part 1: The Academy
Students explore identity, community experiences, mental health inequities, and the potential role young people play in creating change in order to build a foundation in mental health advocacy.
Part 2: The Action Lab
Students selected from part one will move forward into an incentivized experience where they will develop and implement a community-level mental health advocacy plan with support from Active Minds staff, peers, and community stakeholders.
Applications are open now through September 13th. If you’re a high school student passionate about mental health and ready to grow your skills as an advocate, we encourage you to apply (no previous experience required!).
