The purpose of a policy platform is to identify the core issues and policies that Active Minds values as an organization. It creates a funnel through which Active Minds determines what advocacy actions to take and legislation to activate or speak out around.
As guiding principles, Active Minds supports policies and government actions that:
Normalize mental health so that it is equally talked about, cared for, and valued as physical health
Provide directed mental health support to populations most in need (i.e. underserved
populations and those with limited access to relevant and resonant resources)
We also prefer legislation that prioritizes action over rhetoric, i.e. legislation that goes beyond calling for improvement and proposes tangible steps toward a better mental health culture.
While these issues represent a broad focus for Active Minds, our level of engagement on different issues will vary. Active Minds also has within this list a prioritized annual set of specific legislative priorities that will be the primary focus of Active Minds’ advocacy work.
policy focus areas
NORMALIZE MENTAL HEALTH
Active Minds supports policies that normalize mental health so that it is equally talked about, educated on, cared for, and valued as physical health. Active Minds advocates for the continued cultural shift toward equitable and accessible mental health support. These policy areas include:
Access to care (i.e. telehealth access)
Education and training, including culturally specific resources (especially peer-to-peer education and training)
Mental health parity/insurance coverage
Mental health workforce development and retention with an emphasis on diversity and equity
Active Minds supports policies that address the mental health needs of various populations (i.e. underserved populations and those with limited access to relevant and resonant resources), especially those suffering from disproportionately higher rates of poor mental health and suicide through evidence-based/informed practices. Examples of populations in which Active Minds supports directed policies include, but not limited to:
K-12 and college/university students
Children, youth, and young adults
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) populations
Persons with disabilities
Teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, coaches, and other key adult stakeholders
Employees and employers
policy tracker
Keep up-to-date on mental health legislation that is of potential top tier interest to Active Minds. Below, each linked bill includes a summary with a link to a full description why it is relevant to Active Minds’ work, the bill’s status, the bill’s sponsors, and Active Minds’ role.
The Improving Mental Health For Students Act is an important piece of legislation that aims to improve mental health services and support on college campuses. This act will have a significant impact on the mental well-being of millions of college students, and it aligns well with the mission of Active Minds.
Would require colleges to share contact information for suicide prevention resources with students and if they issue ID cards to include on the cards phone numbers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and a campus mental health center or program. Otherwise, the numbers must be published on their website.
Would integrate mental health promotion and education within existing local school wellness policies to provide a comprehensive approach to teaching children and adolescents about the interconnectedness of physical and mental health.
Would require the US Department of Education to establish the Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Mental Health Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education.
