Program Description

Active Minds’ Mental Health Advocacy Institute equips college students to develop and activate tailored mental health advocacy action plans to be implemented on their campus. This paid, year-long leadership and advocacy institute provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to lead impactful mental health advocacy actions in collaboration with a campus-based steering committee. Participants will craft their action plans during the fall 2025 semester, followed by implementation during the spring 2026 semester.

Program Timeline: September 24th, 2025 - April 30th, 2026.

Application Deadline: September 2nd at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (8:59 PM Pacific Time).

Required Fall Training Sessions:

All participants must attend three virtual training sessions:

• Wednesday, September 24, 2025: 6:30-9:30 PM Eastern (3:30-6:30 PM Pacific)

• Wednesday, October 8, 2025: 6:30-9:30 PM Eastern (3:30-6:30 PM Pacific)

• Wednesday, November 5, 2025: 6:30-9:30 PM Eastern (3:30-6:30 PM Pacific)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Between 18-25 years of age

• Currently enrolled at a U.S. college or university

• Graduating no sooner than May 2026

• Not studying abroad from September - December 2025 or from February - April of 2026

Time Commitment Requirements: 

• Three 3-hour fall training sessions listed above

• Watch pre-session videos and do pre-session activities (estimated to be an hour per session)

• Complete post session milestones 

• Two 30-minute monthly individual check-ins in October and November 

• Three 60-minute group check-in meetings (February-April, 2026)

• Two 30-minute individual check-ins during in February and March

Technical Requirements: 

• Internet access and video call capabilities

Payment Requirements:

• U.S. students: Must have a U.S. bank account

• International students: Must have a bank account in one of these eligible countries

Additional Requirements:

• Interest in campus-based mental health advocacy

• Demonstrated leadership experience on campus (examples will be requested in application) 

• Completed recommendation form from an administrator, staff or faculty member at your institution. 

Selection Criteria:

• Meet all eligibility requirements

• Submission of all required documents

• Demonstrated leadership experience on campus (student government, clubs, volunteer work, etc.)

• Passion for mental health advocacy 

• Articulate personal perspective on mental health issues at their college campus

Institute members will receive:

• $750 total stipend (paid in three installments of $250, contingent upon  milestone completion)

• Professional training and technical support from Active Minds staff, along with nationally renowned mental health experts

• Networking and collaboration opportunities with other young adult mental health advocates

• Unparalleled opportunity to gain real-world policy advocacy knowledge to make a difference on your campus

Program Expectations

Participation Requirements:

• Attend all fall workshop sessions (September 24, October 8, November 5)

• Complete all pre-session activities and watch pre-session videos. 

• Complete all post-session milestones.

• Complete individual check-ins with Active Minds staff (October and November 2025)

• Participate in monthly group check-ins (January-April 2026)

• Develop a campus-specific mental health advocacy action plan by end of the fall 2025 semester

• Implement your action plan during spring 2026 semester

• Complete all milestones:

• Milestones:

• By November 4th: (fall) ($250 payment)

• Approved list of steering committee members

• Approved community vision

• Approved issue statement

• Approved issue profile

• By December 10th: (fall) ($250 payment)

• Approved SMARTIE goal

• Approved evidence-informed strategy

• Approved timeline

• Approved Budget

• Approved Strategy Map

• Approved Implementation Team

• By April 30th: (spring) ($250 payment)

• Participation in both spring group and individual check-ins

• Participation in program evaluation

• Submitted evidence of advocacy action plan implementation

• 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.

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.