Policy & Legislation

Turn your voice into impact! Advocate for systemic change at the federal level that ensures young people are included in decisions that affect their well-being.

Action Alert: Support The Campus Lifeline Act

Urge your representatives to support the Campus Lifeline Act, a bipartisan bill aims to expand access to campus mental health resources.

Youth Voice, Real Change

The time is now for teens & young adults to activate & improve mental health in America.

As Active Minds looks to the next four years, we are calling youth and young adults and our supporters to leadership for federal advocacy.

Our goals are clear: pass laws that help to prevent, early intervene, and improve teens and young adults’ mental health and build a movement that elevates policy solutions from student bodies to the highest levels of capacity and influence.

Join the Policy & Advocacy Champion Group

Turn your voice into impact! Learn about upcoming federal and state legislative efforts, and how you can get involved with Active Minds, our partners, and other youth mental health advocates.

Campus Lifeline Act

The first-ever Active Minds-authored federal bill focused on strengthening youth and young adult mental health support on college campuses.

What began as a student-led idea from an Active Minds chapter at the University of Dayton a decade ago, is now gaining traction at the federal level, reflecting a broader push to make mental health support as visible and accessible as physical health resources.

Despite record levels of awareness around mental health, youth do not have a seat at the table, designing and creating the very programs and solutions that affect them. The results are devastating, as care remains out of reach for many youth, with 67% of young adults with mental health symptoms not receiving treatment, and fewer than 20% of youth with diagnosable conditions are supported.

The bipartisan bill advances two core priorities:

  • Expanding access to mental health crisis resources by including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on newly-issued student ID cards
  • Increasing federal investment in youth-informed mental health strategies on college campuses

Every young person deserves access to compassionate, lifesaving mental health care when they need it most. [The Campus Lifeline Act] can connect more teens and young adults with the support they need, ensure they know help is available, and reach more young people before a crisis becomes a tragedy.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA)

Congresswoman Lori Trahan

Active Minds Hill Day & Mental Health Conference 2026

It’s time to “show you mind!” This July, join hundreds of young adult mental health advocates taking action on Capitol Hill. Plus, a rare opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers.

Will you join us?

For more than twenty years, Active Minds has led a movement to demystify and destigmatize mental health for youth and young adults. Today, thousands of students across hundreds of chapters are part of the largest network of teens and young adults engaged in mental health support and advocacy in the country. But there’s much more to do and no time to waste.

Share Why This Is Important To You

Share Your Story

Whether you or someone you know has struggled with mental health, sharing those experiences can inspire others to speak up and take action. Record a short video sharing your story to support Active Minds’ legislative goals.

Amplify the Message

It’s time for youth to take control of decisions relating to our mental health. For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’d love for you to co-create the campaign with us. Checkout the social toolkit for templates to help you get started.

Are You an Active Minds Chapter or Other Student Organization?

Join the Active Minds Chapters and student organizations who have formally endorsed Active Minds’ policy agenda.

Email our team at policy@activeminds.org to add your student organization’s name to the list:

  • Active Minds at Athens State University (AL)
  • Active Minds at Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical School (MA)
  • Active Minds at Carencro High School (LA)
  • Active Minds at Cypress College (CA)
  • Active Minds at De Anza College (CA)
  • Active Minds at Drexel University (PA)
  • Active Minds at East Providence High School (RI)
  • Active Minds at Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
  • Active Minds at Florida State University (FL)
  • Active Minds at Holbrook Middle High School (MA)
  • Active Minds at Inglemoor High School (WA)
  • Active Minds at Lackawanna College (PA)
  • Active Minds at Loyola University Maryland (MD)
  • Active Minds at Medfield High School (MA)
  • Active Minds at New York University (NY)
  • Active Minds as Northbridge High School (MA)
  • Active Minds at Northeast Texas Community College (TX)
  • Active Minds at Northampton Community College (PA)
  • Active Minds at Oklahoma State University (OK)
  • Active Minds at Oakland University (MI)
  • Active Minds at Ohio Dominican University (OH)
  • Active Minds at Palmer High School (AK)
  • Active Minds at Rider University (NJ)
  • Active Minds at Rollins College (FL)
  • Active Minds at San Diego State University (CA)
  • Active Minds at Stevens University (NJ)
  • Active Minds at Stonehill College (MA)
  • Active Minds at South Portland High School (ME)
  • Active Minds at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
  • Active Minds at University of Florida (FL)
  • Active Minds at University of Manitoba (Canada)
  • Active Minds at University of Pittsburgh (PA)
  • Active Minds at Whitman Hanson Regional High School (MA)