Program Description

Active Minds’ Mental Health Advocacy Institute equips college students to develop and implement tailored mental health advocacy action plans for 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 2026 semester, followed by implementation during the Spring 2027 semester.

Program Timeline: August 26th, 2026- April 30th, 2027.

Application Deadline: May 25th at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (8:59 PM Pacific Time).

Required Fall Training Sessions

All participants must attend four virtual training sessions:

Wednesday, August 26th, 2026: Program Introduction

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026: Choosing Your Steering Committee and Writing an Issue Statement

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026: Choosing Your Strategy 

Wednesday, November 11th, 2026: Creating a Timeline, Budget, and Logic Map 

Required Spring Check-In Sessions

Because we understand you may not know your Spring 2027 schedule, we provide two meeting options per month. But you must attend one to remain in the program.

Wednesday, February 3rd or Friday, February 5th, 2027

Wednesday, March 3rd or Friday, March 5th, 2027

Wednesday, April 7th or Friday, April 9th, 2027

Eligibility Requirements:

• Between 18-25 years of age

• Currently enrolled at a U.S. college or university and located within the United States

• Graduating no sooner than May 2027

• Not studying abroad from September - December 2026 or from February - April 2027

• Have been enrolled at their current institution for at least one full academic year   

Time Commitment Requirements: 

• Four, 3-hour monthly fall training sessions listed above

• Three 1.5 hour, monthly spring check-in sessions listed above

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

• Complete post-session milestones 

• One 30-minute individual check-in with and Active Minds Staff Member during the fall semester

• Three 90-minute group check-in meetings (February-April, 2027)

• One 30-minute individual check-in with an Active Minds Staff Member during the spring semester

Technical Requirements: 

• Internet access and video call capabilities (sound and camera)

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

Skill Requirements

Ideal candidates have the following skills:

1. Leadership

2. Professional Communication

3. Teamwork

4. Critical Thinking

5. Taking Initiative

Additional Requirements:

• Interest in campus-based mental health advocacy

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

• Completed the recommendation form from an administrator, staff, or faculty member at your current 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 a personal perspective on mental health issues on their college campus

Institute members will receive:

• $1,000 total stipend (paid in two installments of $500, contingent upon attendance, milestone completion, and approval by Active Minds Staff).

• 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.

Participation Requirements:

• Attend all Fall Workshop Sessions outlined above. 

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

• Complete all post-session milestones.

• Complete an individual check-in with Active Minds staff between September and November 2026. 

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

• Complete another individual check-in with Active Minds Staff between February and April.

• Develop a campus-specific mental health advocacy action plan by the end of the fall 2026 semester.

• Attend one Spring Check-In per Month as listed above.

• Implement your action plan during the spring 2027 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.

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 related services, as stated in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.