Press Release

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.

April 2, 2025 — Washington, D.C. –  Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms, has surpassed its unprecedented goal of reaching 1,000 K-12 schools in 1,000 days and done so with months to go before the 1,000-day mark. Since the launch of the 1K in 1K campaign, 1,194 new K-12 schools have joined Active Minds. All of these schools have engaged with Active Minds in one or more of the following ways: starting an Active Minds Chapter, bringing an Active Minds Speaker to their school, having at least one student attend the Mental Health Advocacy Academy, participating in an Active Minds workshop, or taking part in our middle school pilot program.  The relationships that the organization has achieved during this period of time yielded programs, the launch of clubs and chapters, the use of curriculum and resources, and other collaborations with schools nationwide. Since 2003, Active Minds has been at the forefront of mobilizing youth and young adults to lead a transformative movement in mental health and this achievement demonstrates the expansive reach and influence the organization has built to forever change how mental health is valued and prioritized in society. “Exceeding reaching over 1,000 K-12 schools in 1,000 days is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning,” said Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds. “This achievement underscores the growing need for mental health education and support in our schools. With the alarming rise in youth and young adults' mental health struggles, we’re committed to expanding our programs and equipping students to become advocates within their schools and communities. Together we can create a future where mental health is a priority and every student feels safe, supported, and equipped to reach their full potential.” According to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data, mental health challenges among youth remain a pressing issue. Nearly 40% of students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Groups particularly affected include female students, LGBTQ+ youth, and those from marginalized racial and ethnic communities, who face higher rates of violence, bullying, and suicidal thoughts. It is essential to address these alarming trends, and Active Minds plays a vital role in equipping the next generation to tackle mental health issues in their schools and communities. “The United Health Foundation is honored to partner with Active Minds in their mission to transform mental health norms in schools,” said Anne Yau, president of the United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group. “Reaching over 1,000 K-12 schools in 1,000 days is an important milestone for improving access to mental health resources, and we applaud Active Minds for this accomplishment.” Thanks to supporters such as the United Health Foundation, Humble Bundle, J Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation as well as a number of partners, and educators, the organization will continue to build off of this work and will announce new plans to further grow its impact over the next couple of months. Active Minds invites educators, administrators, and community leaders to join its movement and collaborate to grow the network of youth and young adults who champion mental health and are prepared to bring others with them through the journey. Additionally, media can view a special video celebrating this remarkable milestone at https://youtu.be/PQENCsfJZ9o For more information about Active Minds and how to get involved, please visit activeminds.org.

February 18, 2025 — Youth Voice, Real Change: Building a Mental Health Movement for the Future WASHINGTON, D.C. — Active Minds, the leading nonprofit dedicated to youth mental health advocacy, unveiled its 2025 Policy Agenda today, focusing on two major legislative initiatives designed to transform mental health support for young people in the U.S. The announcement emphasizes the importance of youth leadership in mental health policy, with Active Minds calling on students, advocates, and supporters to join the movement and help make a real difference. “Youth and young adults have always been at the forefront of mental health advocacy, and 2025 is our year to make lasting change,” said Alison Malmon, Active Minds Founder & Executive Director. “The policy agenda we are launching today reflects the urgent need for increased access to mental health resources and the equipping of young people to lead the charge in shaping a healthier future. We're calling on every voice — from those who have personally experienced mental health struggles to those who simply care about a better future for all — to make a difference.” Active Minds' Bipartisan Legislative Asks for 2025: Increase Awareness of 9-8-8 and School Mental Health Resources Active Minds is advocating for legislation that ensures students have seamless access to life-saving mental health resources. This includes embedding the 9-8-8 crisis hotline directly onto student IDs and launching school-wide awareness campaigns to ensure that every student knows where to turn when they need help. Fund Federally Supported, Youth-Led Mental Health Programs Active Minds is calling for federal investment in youth-led mental health programs such as Active Minds chapters and A.S.K. (Active Minds’ peer-to-peer mental health education initiative). These programs, despite their proven success, currently do not receive federal funding, creating a critical gap in peer-driven mental health education on campuses nationwide. Why Your Story Matters The backbone of Active Minds' policy agenda is the power of personal stories. Mental health challenges affect millions, and sharing personal experiences can inspire powerful change. By speaking out, individuals can encourage others to act, raise awareness, and advocate for meaningful policy changes. “Stories are the cornerstone of advocacy,” said Laura Horne, Chief Programming Officer at Active Minds. “When we share our journeys, we humanize the issue of mental health. And when young people take the lead in that conversation, it sends a powerful message to policymakers that change is needed, and it’s needed now.” How You Can Get Involved Active Minds encourages youth advocates and organizations to join efforts in raising awareness, pushing for legislative action, and supporting policies that prioritize mental health for young people. Here are the ways you can get involved: Join the Advocacy Movement: Visit activeminds.org/policy to become part of the movement. Advocate for policies that support the mental health of young people and join a growing community of passionate advocates. Share Your Story: Whether you've personally faced mental health challenges or simply want to support this vital cause, sharing your story can make an impact. Submit a short video to share your personal journey and help support Active Minds' legislative goals. Amplify the Message: Use social media, email, and other platforms to engage your network, share campaign materials, and urge others to take action. Social media toolkits, including pre-written posts, graphics, and hashtags, are available for easy sharing. For more information on the 2025 Policy Agenda and how to get involved, visit activeminds.org/policy.