Active Minds Launches Mental Health Career and Professional Resource Platform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT
Alexa Lamanna Clark, (202) 320-2766, ALClark@westendstrategy.com

The Cause + Career professional development platform is the first-ever career site to feature mental health-focused career opportunities from all sectors and industries.

WASHINGTON–As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, Active Minds today announced the launch of its career development website, Cause + Career, with financial support from Pinterest. The platform aims to broaden the idea of what a career in mental health can look like, highlighting job opportunities outside of the counseling and therapy spaces that will allow emerging and pivoting professionals of all academic backgrounds to work in the mental health field. 

Structured as a professional resource site, Cause + Career features a job board, mentorship and networking opportunities, a career “quiz” that matches individuals with fields of interest, and other resources that nurture working professionals’ passion around mental health–particularly young adults seeking to continue mental health advocacy work into post-grad career opportunities. 

“Active Minds’ student-powered chapters have engaged tens of thousands of capable, passionate young people in mental health awareness and advocacy. Many students who participate in activism during their academic career wonder what opportunities exist to carry on their work after graduation, especially those who don’t plan to pursue a clinical career,” said Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. “Cause + Career will enable individuals just entering the workforce, as well as those looking to make a career change, to bring their skills, passion, and commitment to mental health into workplaces that need their expertise and unique perspectives.” 

As the conversation around mental health in the workplace enters a new era where companies are recognizing the importance of mitigating mental health challenges and combating stigma among employees, Cause + Career will include a cache of tools that not only support the job hunt, but also provide professionals with guidance on how to foster a positive culture around mental health in their workplace. Resources on the site will offer “how-to” guides on elevating mental health advocacy in the office, as well as stories and advice from individuals operating in these professional spaces. 

“Cause + Career aims to provide young mental health advocates with the opportunity to translate their passion for mental health into a career. We were drawn to the idea of encouraging the next generation of diverse young people to enter mental health professional roles and are excited about how the platform broadens the idea of what a job in mental health looks like,” said Kathy Gu, Purpose Partnerships Lead at Pinterest. “We’re proud to work alongside Active Minds to advance this important work.” 

The Cause + Career platform will also serve as a convener, connector, and amplifier for organizations and employers who partner with Active Minds to offer relevant opportunities in their workplace. Beyond listing available positions on the job board feature, professionals can serve as career connectors to advise those entering the workforce and share networking opportunities. Cause + Career will launch with career opportunities and resources from partners including Flourish Labs, Pinterest, Getting Hired, MTV, and Experience Camps. 

“We hope this tool will show impassioned individuals that pursuing a career in mental health is possible across many industries, skills, and disciplines,” said Alicia Elms, manager of NextGen initiatives at Active Minds. “Our goal is for Cause + Career to become a household resource that provides job opportunities at companies and organizations nationwide and shows emerging and pivoting professionals that a career in mental health is possible, accessible, and worthwhile.”

To be connected with representatives of Active Minds and/or Pinterest, please contact Alexa Lamanna Clark at (202) 320-2766 or activeminds@westendstrategy.com. 

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About Active Minds: Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Active Minds has a presence at more than 1,000 campuses, schools, communities, and workplaces nationwide, and is powered by a robust Chapter Network, the nationally acclaimed Send Silence Packing® display, and inspiring Active Minds Speakers. The organization is dedicated to ending the silence and changing the culture around mental health for everyone. To learn more, visit www.activeminds.org.