Our Story
A brief introduction of our history, services, and direction.
Creating Hope out of Tragedy
Active Minds was founded by Alison Malmon when she was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania following the suicide of her older brother, and only sibling, Brian.
After my brother’s death, and knowing how preventable it was, I resolved — no matter what — to do something to change the way we approach mental health in this country.
ALISON K. MALMON Founder and Executive Director, Active Minds
Silence hurts us all
Brian Malmon was a smart, popular, and fun student through high school and college. At the beginning of his freshman year at Columbia University, he began struggling with depression and psychosis. He concealed his symptoms from everyone around him for three years until he returned home in the middle of his senior year to receive treatment for what was later diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder.
His underlying depression, however, only worsened as he continued to hide his distress from his friends. “The depression had created a space where he felt like he was the only one struggling, that all of it was his fault,” says Alison.
A year and a half later, on March 24, 2000, as Alison was wrapping up her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, Brian ended his life.
A peer-based approach
Alison recognized that Brian’s story is the story of thousands of young people who suffer in silence; who, despite their large numbers, think they are totally alone. A majority of mental illnesses start between ages 14 and 24 when teens and young adults are in school, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students.
More so, at Penn, she saw that no one was talking about mental health issues, although many were affected. One of every five students lives with a mental health condition, but stigma and shame were preventing students from reaching out. The only way things would get better, she knew, is if young people started talking about it. She wanted to combat the stigma of mental illness, encourage students who needed help to seek it early, and prevent future tragedies like the one that took her brother’s life.
Alison looked around for existing groups she could simply bring to Penn to begin to change the culture on campus. Finding none, she was undeterred and forged ahead, creating her own student-to-student model and forming a student group then known as Open Minds. The group’s number one goal was to spread the word that mental health issues impact many people, and seeking help is a sign of strength and not something to be ashamed of.
A growing movement
Within two years, as Alison graduated from college, the group grew as more and more students realized that others shared their concerns. Kate Dahl, a friend of Alison’s, transferred to Georgetown University and founded the group’s second chapter there. Soon, Alison was fielding calls from all over the country from students and administrators wanting to start chapters on their own campuses.
A national office was established in Washington, DC. The new nonprofit organization and all the affiliated campus chapters and programs were renamed Active Minds to reflect the organization’s focus on action and student advocacy in mental health. Active Minds was incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization in late 2003.
Watch the Active Minds story
Celebrating the Past
It started more than 20 years ago in Alison Malmon’s dorm room, on one campus, with a simple premise: if we as young adults speak openly about our mental health, we can save lives.
Timeline
2001
- 1st Active Minds chapter
- Formed at University of Pennsylvania
- Now: 500+ chapters at high schools and colleges, impacting 8M.
2003
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Becoming official
- Active Minds, Inc. officially Incorporated in the District of Columbia as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
2004
- 1st National Conference held
- Active Minds Mental Health Conference gathers young adults at Georgetown University
- Now: The 2024 Conference sold out, with over 400 attendees.
2007
- Washingtonian of the Year
- Active Minds Founder, Alison Malmon, recognized by Washingtonian Magazine
- Now: In 2024, Alison Malmon is recognized alongside folks like Taraji P. Henson & Lady Gaga in the Verywell Mind 25
2008
- First cohort of the Emerging Scholars Fellowship
- Now: 90% of scholars continue in the mental health field after completing their fellowship
2008
- First display of Send Silence Packing®
- This immersive experience centered on youth voices of struggle & hope gets its start on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- Now: 350 historic stops in 15 years
2010
- A merger brings new speakers program
- Inherited the Active Minds Speakers Bureau from the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign
- Now: 1M+ youth and adults have heard Speakers since
2014
- Pilot of Transform Your Campus program
- Trained students to advocate for campus policy solutions; 226 campuses joined in 18 months
- Now: By 2027, we aim to mobilize 1,000 youth to advance federal mental health policy
2017
- NFL players #NeedYouHere campaign
- NFL players wear Active Minds’ “The World Needs You Here,” bracelets to promote mental health activism.
- Now: In 2024, the Indianapolis Colts & New England Patriots help promote A.S.K. Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch
2018
- RAND data validates Active Minds’ peer-to-peer model
- Research confirms Active Minds improves mental health attitudes & increases help-seeking behaviors on campuses
- Now: 98% of chapter members said Active Minds positively impacted their college experience
2020
- Launch of K-12 programming
- We begin adapting our proven peer-based approach to proactively mobilize & equip youth in their schools.
- Now: We exceeded our 1k-in-1k goal, reaching 2,564 new K-12 schools in 867 days
2021
- Launched the Mental Health Advocacy Academy
- A paid leadership opportunity that equips high school students to lead mental health change
- Now: Over 200 students have participated, and we’ve added the Mental Health Advocacy Institute for college students
2023
- Launched Cause + Career
- Job board, career tool, and resources to help pipeline young adult advocates into mental health focused careers
- Now: 2,700 youth and young adults have used the platform for mental health career exploration
2024
- A.S.K. Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch
- Launched the “stop, drop and roll” of emotional support for supporting friends in partnership with SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment
- Now: 72% report feeling better prepared to support their friends after seeing A.S.K.
20 Years Of Impact With Active Minds
Through our presence in more than 1,000 high schools, colleges, and communities, we reach more than 8+ million young adults with mental health information, training, and leadership opportunities each year. Together, we are changing the culture of mental health nationwide.
And yet…
60 million people
experience mental illnesses each year in the US
30% of young people
have a diagnosable mental illness
48% of young adults 18–25
experienced mental health symptoms during the pandemic
Only 33% young adults
with mental health symptoms receive care
22% high school students
have seriously considered attempting suicide
There is an escalating need, and
Active Minds is uniquely meeting this demand.
Mobilizing the Future
Active Minds is responding to the mental health needs of youth and young adults with a data-driven path forward, and a known and present solution is ready.
To reverse negative trends in youth mental health outcomes, our societal norms around mental health must improve. Research shows that in times of need, youth prefer to talk to peers rather than a professional or adult.
It is critical to engage youth & young adults as a key part of the solution.
Will You Join Us?
We are on a mission to save lives and change the conversation about mental health for everyone.
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