Press Release

August 12, 2025 — Senate endorses youth-driven mental health policies, advancing access to crisis resources and peer-led support across schools and campuses nationwide.

August 11, 2025 — The conference served as a national call to mobilize the mental health movement — and the response was electric.

July 21, 2025 — Dr. Judith will moderate a panel discussing the emotional toll of high-functioning mental health conditions and the pathways toward healing.

July 8, 2025 — The series brought together Black male mental health professionals, educators, and students for honest conversations about identity, historical trauma, masculinity, and mental wellness.

June 27, 2025 — Alexander will deliver a keynote address focused on the role of vulnerability and creativity in healing and advocacy.

June 27, 2025 — Skye uses her powerful voice to champion mental health awareness, encouraging young people to make their well-being a priority.

June 23, 2025 — Every young person deserves access to mental health care that is safe, responsive, and tailored to their lived experience.

May 28, 2025 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — Active Minds, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health, is proud to announce a bold new commitment: to engage 100,000 youth and young adults mental health advocates by 2028. This ambitious initiative marks the organization’s next chapter in championing a new era of mental health. The announcement follows the success of Active Minds’ recent “1K in 1K” campaign, which surpassed its goal of reaching 1,000 K-12 in 1,000 days well ahead of schedule. Now, fueled by the momentum of Mental Health Awareness Month and a growing national conversation around mental wellness, Active Minds is setting its sights even higher. “Our mission has always been to equip, connect, and amplify the voices of youth and young adults to change how society thinks about and supports mental health,” said Alison Malmon, Founder and Executive Director of Active Minds. “Reaching 100,000 young people by 2028 isn’t just a number—it’s a movement to ensure every young person knows they’re not alone and has the tools and community support they need to thrive.” The 100K by 2028 initiative will include young changemakers in K-12, high schools, colleges, and communities across the country. These advocates will participate in programs such as the Mental Health Advocacy Institute, the Mental Health Advocacy Academy, and the Active Minds Chapter Network. The initiative will also focus on advocacy efforts, peer-to-peer support, and social media engagement to amplify advocacy and impact. Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, Active Minds has called on its network through informational campaigns, action-oriented opportunities, and community-building efforts designed to prepare supporters to take part in this new mission. This next phase invites everyone—from long-time champions to newcomers—to get involved at a level that works for them. “This is a community-wide effort,” said Laura Horne, Chief Program Officer at Active Minds. “We’re building something powerful together and championing a new era of mental health. By reaching 100,000 youth and young adults, we’re creating a ripple effect of support, advocacy, and change that will impact generations to come.” To learn more about the 100K by 2028 initiative, get involved, or bring others into the movement, visit www.activeminds.org.

May 7, 2025 — Revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge Sparks Over $400,000 in Donations for Youth Mental Health—and Renews Momentum for Both Causes.

April 17, 2025 — The new viral sensation Takes Over Instagram Quickly Raising Thousands to Benefit the Work of Active Minds WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 17, 2025) — More than a decade after the original Ice Bucket Challenge captured global attention in 2014 in support of the fight against Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) , the viral spirit is back in support of another crucial cause. The University of South Carolina’s MIND club (Mental Illness Needs Discussion) has launched a bold, reimagined Ice Bucket Challenge focused on mental health, and attention it has received is already immense. As part of their campaign, participants are encouraged to donate to Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms. Kicking off with a splashy, heartfelt video, the University of South Carolina’s #SpeakYourMIND Challenge has captivated audiences across social media. The campaign exploded—and within days it has garnered hundreds of thousands of views, inspiring over 2,300+ donations and raising more than $40,000 to support mental health resources for youth and young adults. The response has been swift, wide-reaching, and deeply moving, proving the power of young people to mobilize and make change. “It started as a random idea, inspired by the original ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and how powerful that movement was,” said Wade Jefferson, Sophomore at USC and Founder of the MIND club. “We wanted to bring that same energy to mental health. Watching it take off – seeing people we admire, like Peyton Manning, join in – has been surreal. We’re proud, grateful, and just excited to see how far it’s gone and continue to go.” “This campaign is everything Active Minds stands for—bold, mission-driven, and youth-led,” said Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds. “To see youth and young adults take an iconic viral moment and breathe new life into it for mental health advocacy is incredibly powerful. It’s proof that when young people rally together with passion and purpose, they don’t just raise awareness—they ignite a movement. This is how we create a new era of mental health.” Now, Active Minds is encouraging youth and young adults across the country to keep the momentum going. The challenge is simple—and meaningful: Grab a bucket, some ice, and a friend Record your challenge and tag three others to take it next Post on social media and tag @uscmind and @active_minds to be featured Include the donation link to support the work of Active Minds Just as the original Ice Bucket Challenge did for ALS, this version is turning awareness into action. Beyond the buckets and the contagious videos, it’s about breaking stigma, building community, and making mental health a visible, valued part of everyday conversation. Participants are encouraged to share educational resources—including self-care tools, ways to offer help, and information to access crisis support—available at activeminds.org. Together, we’re not just starting a challenge—we’re creating a new era of mental health.