Mental Health Advocacy Academy
A paid leadership opportunity for rising 9th-12th grade high school youth who are passionate about mental health.
Are you a high school student who wants to make a difference in your community?
The Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy (the Academy) is a national leadership development and advocacy program that supports high school students in building knowledge, confidence, and skills to create change in their schools and communities.
Designed for rising 9th-12th grade high school students in the United States, the Academy centers the experiences and leadership of LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and intersectional youth. Through interactive virtual sessions, discussions, mentorship, and hands-on activities, students explore the mental health challenges impacting their communities while learning how advocacy can create meaningful change. This program is designed as a two-part experience:
Part 1: The Academy
Students build a foundation in mental health advocacy by exploring identity, community experiences, mental health inequities, and the role young people can play in creating change.
Part 2: The Action Lab
Selected students from Part 1 will move into a paid implementation experience where they develop and activate a community-level mental health advocacy plan with support from Active Minds staff, peers, and community stakeholders.
Young people have consistently identified mental health to be deeply connected to issues such as racial justice, equitable access to care, school climate, representation, stigma, and culturally responsive support systems. The Academy exists to help students turn those concerns into informed, community-centered action.
Apply to the Academy
The next cohort of the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy will begin in Fall 2026.
Applications are currently closed, but more information about application timelines and the next recruitment cycle will be shared soon. Be the first to know by signing up for our newsletter and check back for updates on how to apply.
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 other youth changemakers across the country. Students will walk away with ideas and intentions to reshape their school and local communities!
Student Advocacy in Action
Brialis Phan, 2022 participant 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.
Sahana Gade, 2024 participant from Texas, created a campaign that aimed to promote inclusivity and support the mental health of LGBTQIA+ students at her school by developing an initiative that would allow them to use their preferred names and pronouns. This ensures that the learning environment fosters a sense of belonging, protection, and community engagement. Sahana continues to work to expand this initiative at a district level.
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
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Mental health advocacy is the act of creating change that improves mental health awareness, support, and access to care in schools and communities. Advocacy can include educating peers, reducing stigma, organizing initiatives, sharing lived experiences, or speaking up about student mental health needs. At Active Minds, we believe young people play an important role in shaping healthier and more supportive communities, especially for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and intersectional youth.
Academy participants are rising 9th–12th grade students in the United States who are interested in improving the mental health of LGBTQ+, BIPOC, or intersectional communities. Students do not need prior advocacy experience to apply. We welcome students from a variety of backgrounds and school settings who are passionate about mental health awareness and eager to learn and grow their confidence as change-makers in their school and community.
In Part 1: The Academy, students build foundational knowledge in mental health advocacy, leadership, identity, community experiences, and mental health inequities through interactive virtual sessions and activities. Selected students may continue into Part 2: The Action Lab, a paid implementation experience where students develop and activate a community-level mental health advocacy action plan with support from peers, staff, and community stakeholders.
The next Mental Health Advocacy Academy cohort will begin in Fall 2026 and will take place virtually throughout the academic year. Part 1: The Academy focuses on foundational advocacy learning and leadership development. Selected students may continue into Part 2: The Action Lab, where they will implement a community-level mental health advocacy action plan. More information about applications and program dates will be shared soon.
There is no cost to apply or participate in the Mental Health Advocacy Academy. Part 1: The Academy is a free learning experience for all accepted students. Students selected to continue into Part 2: The Action Lab, will participate in a paid implementation experience and receive a stipend upon successful completion of program expectations and 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.