Mental Health Advocacy Academy Application

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Application to Join Active Minds’ Mental Health Advocacy Academy

The Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy is the only leadership development and mental health advocacy academy that empowers Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) high school students to enact change in their schools, communities, and their states. Young adults have made clear that the most pressing mental health-related issues include addressing racial justice, creating equitable access to mental health care, developing youth-centered mental health policies (school board, local, or state), and achieving affordable, culturally appropriate comprehensive health care.

The Mental Health Advocacy Academy is a unique, paid leadership program intended to ensure that high school students have tools and resources to develop mental health advocacy campaigns that will transform and change school, community, and state culture and increase mental health resources. Academy members will have the opportunity to develop a mental health campaign that contributes to the cutting-edge field of mental health policy advocacy.

Expectations:

Academy members will be expected to:

The Academy will be held from July 24th-July 28th, 2023.
Participate in homeroom activities with Active Minds staff or mentors.
Meet virtually via Zoom Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday for 4 hours from 2pm-6pm EST.
Meet virtually via Zoom Wednesday for 4.5 hours from 2pm-630 pm EST.
Screen time breaks in between hours.
Meetings are informal, and participants are expected to be conversational and engaged. It is expected that you attend all the meetings.
Complete between-meeting assignments (est. 1 –2 hours) that may involve meeting with other Academy members, Active Minds staff, or mentors.
Develop an outline for a mental health advocacy campaign. The outline will be showcased during the Academy meeting on July 28th during homeroom time.
Complete Academy evaluations (during and after).

Compensation & Benefits:

Academy members will receive:

$500 total stipend (the stipend will be paid after the completion of the Academy)
Unparalleled opportunity to gain real-world policy advocacy experience and to make a difference in your local community
Professional training from nationally renowned policy and mental health experts
Networking opportunities with other young adult mental health advocates
Unique leadership opportunity that is a resume builder
Will engage in learning communities that specifically focus on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ related issues.

Qualifications:

Age eligibility: High school students.
Identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+
An interest in civic engagement and a desire to learn more about mental health advocacy, policy, and how to affect change in your community.
Creativity, initiative, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Willingness and ability to work independently and as a member of a team with people of various perspectives and backgrounds.
Reliable internet access

*Not required: past civic engagement

Application is due on or before March 28, 2023

If you have any questions about the application, reach out to the Active Minds K-12 Initiatives team at K12@activeminds.org

First Name

Last Name

Pronouns (if you would like to share)

Phone

Can we text you using this number?

City

States

School Name (No Abbreviations please use full name i.e. Benjamin Franklin High School)

District Name (Please use full name i.e., Denver Public Schools)

Shirt size

Please answer the following questions

Please tell us what mental health advocacy means in your own words and why it is so important to you?

Tell us why mental health awareness is so important to your community and school?

What qualities or skills do you think are important when working with others to build awareness around mental health?

What idea(s) do you have to improve your school or community's understanding of mental health and how would you work with others to implement that idea?

Tell us about an accomplishment, challenge or creative experience that you are most proud of.

Please rank the following mental health policy issues in order of importance to you (1-most important; 5 = least important)

Racial justice	Environmental justice
Access to healthcare	LBGTQ+ rights
Education

Are you able to commit to 4 hours a day from 7/24 - 7/28?

Explanation

What grade are you in?

What is your current gender identity? (Check all that apply)

MaleFemaleTrans maleTrans femaleGenderqueer/NonbinaryI have a different identity

Other Identity

Which of the following best describes you?

Heterosexual (straight)Gay or LesbianPansexualQueerAsexualI describe my sexual identity some other way

What racial or ethnic identity do you most identify with? (select all that apply.)

American Indian or Alaska NativeBlack or African AmericanEast or Southeast AsianHispanic or LatinxMiddle Eastern, North African or ArabNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderSouth AsianWhiteOther

Please include the name, title, email address, and phone number of a professional reference )non-family member) that we may contact

Name

Relationship with applicant

Length of time they have known the applicant

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How did you hear about this opportunity?

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Contact Information

Active Minds is the nation's premier nonprofit organization promoting mental health for young adults.