For more than 23 years, Active Minds has invested in equipping young people to become leaders and changemakers in mental health. Active Minds Hill Day represented a new chapter in that work by creating a national platform for youth advocates to engage directly with federal policymakers and champion solutions rooted in lived experience.
“Watching hundreds of young people walk the halls of Congress today reaffirmed what we’ve known for more than two decades: when youth lead, change follows,” said Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds. “They brought the stories of their communities into the rooms where decisions are made, reminding policymakers that mental health isn’t a political issue—it’s a human one. This inaugural Hill Day is more than a milestone for Active Minds; it’s a testament to the growing movement of young people who are ensuring mental health is valued, prioritized, and supported for every generation to come.”
Youth and young adult advocates traveled from across the country, representing diverse communities and experiences while demonstrating the growing momentum behind youth-led mental health advocacy. Their presence on Capitol Hill reinforced that those closest to today’s mental health challenges are also essential to shaping the solutions.
“It was an honor to host our Mental Health Hill Day on the anniversary of the launch of 988, a milestone that reminds us how far we’ve come, and how much work remains to ensure every young person can access the mental health support they deserve,” said Anika Rahman, Director of Policy at Active Minds. “Today’s conversations reinforced my belief that young people should be the narrators of their own stories. Their lived experiences, backed by real data and youth-driven solutions, are the most powerful force for shaping the future of mental health policy. By bringing their voices directly to Capitol Hill, our youth and young adults had a total of 132 meetings. That is the power of mobilizing.”
The day concluded with the Active Minds Mental Health Conference, the nation’s leading gathering dedicated to equipping youth and young adults with the tools, community, and leadership development needed to transform mental health culture. The conference featured national mental health leaders, including Sadie Sutton, host of the She Persisted podcast, Hailey Hardcastle, mental health advocate and TED speaker, alongside hundreds of students, young professionals, educators, and advocates committed to advancing mental health nationwide. Be Steadwell closed out the night with a high-energy performance, keeping the momentum alive and the crowd energized, especially the youth and young adults.
The inaugural Active Minds Hill Day marks only the beginning of Active Minds’ continued efforts to elevate youth voices and advance policies that create lasting change for young people across the country.
