Active Minds’ Mental Health Advocacy Institute equips current college students to develop and activate comprehensive mental health advocacy action plans tailored to their campus environments. This paid leadership program provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to create impactful, institution-wide mental health initiatives that foster inclusive, supportive environments for all students, especially among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. After the initial kick off meeting (detailed below), this program meets weekly from October 30th, through December 4th, 2024 and then monthly thereafter from January to April 2025. 

Applications are due by October 13th at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

 Eligibility criteria:

• Between 18-25 years of age

• Enrolled at a U.S. college or university

• Interested in campus-based mental health advocacy 

• Internet access

• If you are an international student, for payment purposes you must have a bank account and be from one of these countries to be eligible for payment. 

• Available the following dates from October-December 2024 for virtual training sessions.

• A Kick-Off Meeting on either October 26th or 27th (can sign up for whichever day works best with your schedule).

• Saturday, October 26th: 12 PM- 4PM Eastern Time

• Sunday, October 27th: 3 PM- 7 PM Eastern Time

• Wednesday, October 30th 7:30-9:30 PM Eastern Time

• Wednesday, November 6th 7:30-9:30 PM Eastern Time

• Wednesday, November 13th 7:30-9:30 PM Eastern Time

• Wednesday, November 20th 7:30-9:30 PM Eastern Time

• Wednesday, December 4th 7:30-9:30 PM Eastern Time

• Available for hour-long, monthly meetings throughout the Spring 2025 (January through April).

• A completed recommendation form from a staff or faculty member at your institution.

Selection Criteria:

• Meet all eligibility requirements

• Demonstrated leadership experience on campus

• Shown passion for mental health advocacy 

• Can articulate personal perspective of the state of mental health on their college campus

Expectations:

Institute members will be expected to:

• Actively participate in all program components, virtual sessions, workshops.

• Fall workshop dates: October 26th or 27th, October 30th, November 6th, November 13th, November 20th, and December 4th

• Show up to monthly check-in meetings from January to April 2025. 

• Complete all tasks by assigned due dates. 

• Develop a campus-specific mental health advocacy action plan by the end of the Fall 2024 semester.

• Implement your campus-specific mental health advocacy action plan in the Spring 2025 semester. 

• Collaborate with campus stakeholders (e.g. administrators, staff, faculty, student organizations, community partners) who are essential to the successful implementation of the action plans.

• Complete all Mental Health Advocacy Institute program evaluations (during and after the program). 

• Think critically and openly about diversity, equity and inclusion on your campus.

Compensation & Benefits:

Institute members will receive:

• $350 total stipend (the stipend will be paid in two installments during the program)

• This unparalleled opportunity to gain real-world policy advocacy knowledge to make a difference in your college campus.

• Professional training from Active Minds staff, along with nationally renowned  mental health experts.

• Networking opportunities with other young adult mental health advocates.

Application Questions

How will my privacy be protected?

We keep your records private and confidential. In completing any online application, it is possible, although unlikely, that unauthorized individuals could gain access to your responses. Confidentiality will be maintained to the degree permitted by the technology used. No guarantees can be made regarding the interception of data sent via the Internet. Thus, your participation in this online application involves risks like a person's everyday use of the Internet.

With respect to your participation in this survey, Active Minds will apply the same data collection, use, and disclosure policies that apply to the use of Active Minds' websites and its related services, which appear at Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.