mission and impact

Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults

We are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.

19 years of impact

Active Minds is a national leader for mobilizing young adults around mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Active Minds brings to mental health what no other organization can — the voice of young people who are disproportionately affected by mental illnesses and the way mental health is addressed on campuses and in society at large.

Now in its nineteenth year, Active Minds is present in more than 1,000 schools, communities, and workplaces nationwide, including more than 500 student-led chapters. Our programs and services empower young adults to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, create communities of support, and ultimately save lives.

An approach that works

What has guided and distinguished us from the start is a belief that young people will be the drivers of change.

Our Values        

As we work to change the culture around mental health in classrooms, workplaces, and communities nationwide, we are committed to upholding these core organizational values:

1. BE RADICALLY AUTHENTIC.

Our words and actions are real: approachable, reassuring, and practical. We all have mental health, and we meet our community where they are, exactly as they are. The community we inspire brings their whole selves, and are respected for their unique expertise – which includes lived experience. All are welcome and the way we communicate affirms that.

2. EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY.

We actively listen to each other and amplify our community. We value partnership and recognize that our ideas are better when perspectives from up, down, and across the team and community are sought, heard, and considered. We raise each other up to ensure all voices are heard.

3. PURSUE SMART, BOLD INNOVATION.

We shape the next-gen social norms and solutions for mental health to continuously and boldly evolve. We are driven by our “why” and are committed to excellence as we respond and adapt with agility. We are forward-thinking, and always learning.

4. INSPIRE EQUITABLE AND JUSTICE-DRIVEN ACTION.

An emotionally healthy world is not possible without a just world. We believe that equity and social justice are paramount to our work and we use that lens as we look to make change in our world.

Our Impact

Each year, more than 15,000 young adults join Active Minds as passionate advocates and educators for mental health. Our advocates encourage their peers and networks to learn about, talk about, and seek help for mental health issues just as they would for a physical issue, without shame or silence.

This peer-to-peer approach is unique to Active Minds and one that works.

A few data points: Youth who felt connected to peers and trusted adults at school were significantly less likely than those who did not to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (35% vs. 53%), seriously considering attempting suicide (14% vs. 26%), attempted suicide (6% vs. 12%).

We believe that mobilizing the next generation to speak openly and to act, can end the silence and change the conversation about mental health for everyone.