Mental Health Advocacy Academy
A paid leadership opportunity for BIPOC or LGBTQ+ high school youth who are passionate about mental health.
Are you a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ high school student who wants to make a difference in your community?
Our Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy is a leadership development and mental health advocacy academy that equips Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) high school students to affect change in their schools, communities, and their states.
Young adults have made clear that many of the most pressing mental health-related issues are connected to racial justice, creating equitable access to mental health care, developing youth-centered mental health policies (school board, local, or state), and achieving affordable, culturally appropriate comprehensive health care.
Applications for the next Academy cohort open in Fall 2025.
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Advocacy in Action
Through the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy, students will engage in a program where they will learn leadership through connection and collaboration with student changemakers across the country. Students will walk away with ideas and intentions to reshape their school and local communities!
Therapy Dogs for Students
Muhammad Riaz, a high school student from California, created a campaign to help seniors in his school reduce their stress levels. Muhammad launched his campaign by hosting a self-care event in order to bring therapy dogs during finals week, with the aim that the school will host this regularly.
The Need for a Mental Health Coalition and Mindful Center
The Need for a Mental Health Coalition and Mindful CenterBrialis Phan, a high school student from New Jersey, created a 2-step campaign to establish an Active Minds chapter that would allow her to gain support to create a mindful center. This center will increase access to mental health resources and offer a space where students can practice effective coping mechanisms during school hours.
Hear from past academy participants about their experience
“My time in the Mental Health Advocacy Academy was a truly unique and eye-opening experience. The connections and the feeling of solidarity among peers who truly care about mental health were the things that really stood out to me. The community of other mental health advocates is something that I will cherish and continue to participate in my journey of mental health advocacy.”
Andy Chu, Summer 2023 Participant
“I have loved my experience working with Active Minds! This program has helped me educate myself and those around me. I have learned so much about mental health advocacy, and I will definitely use the skills I’ve acquired in the future.”
Isabella Seiglie, Summer 2023 Participant
Refer Someone!
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Mental health advocacy is a growing trend where people who are passionate about mental health are contributing to changing the conversation about mental health through advocating for policies and awareness campaigns. Youth and young adults have made clear that the most pressing mental health-related issues include addressing racial justice, having equitable access to culturally responsive mental health care, advocating for youth-centered mental health school boards, local and state policies, and schools having LGBTQ+ inclusive mental health and sexual health curriculum.
You are a rising 9th-12th grade student who identifies as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, or the intersection of both, and currently attends school in the United States. You have an interest in mental health awareness and advocacy, and are eager to become a changemaker in your school and community.
During your time in the Mental Health Advocacy Academy, you will have the opportunity to build your foundational knowledge of mental health advocacy, policy, education, awareness, and equity. You will learn from people making changes across the country, as well as get to know other student leaders who have been successful mental health champions and how they have ignited change in their schools and communities.
The Academy will take place virtually starting July 2025. The curriculum will be very informative and exciting as you grow in your knowledge of how to have a profound impact in the mental health advocacy space. There will also be an opportunity to stay connected to your Academy peers and Active Minds staff throughout the following school year.
It is completely free to apply to the Academy. Students will receive a stipend upon completion of the Academy, all required documents, and pre-and post-program evaluations.
Yes, Active Minds has partnered with organizations like The Trevor Project, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), GENUp, Inseparable/Hopeful Futures Campaign, Young Invincibles, and state elected officials to share important expertise about mental health advocacy and provide examples of successful mental health advocacy campaigns.