Frequently Asked Questions

The 2025 Active Minds Mental Health Conference is the nation’s leading mental health conference for young adults.

This highly anticipated annual conference brings together hundreds of young adults and mental health advocates from across the country to share ideas and advance knowledge about mental health education, advocacy, and awareness.

The conference will showcase the most innovative and effective approaches for youth and young adults to mobilize to transform how mental health is valued and prioritized on campuses, in schools, in the transition to the workplace, and within our communities.

This is the largest conference in the nation for young adult advocates! Most of our attendees are ages 18-25, and we welcome all who want to champion a new era of mental health.

The target audience for the 2025 conference is young adults, including students (ages 18-25).  If you are under the age of 18 and interested in attending the conference, please contact conference@activeminds.org for additional information.

The 2025 conference will be held Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2 at the Capital Hilton Hotel. Information about sessions and keynotes will be listed on the Conference Page.

Yes, you choose which sessions and events to attend.  We encourage you to go to as many as you can to get the full benefit of the conference.

The full conference schedule will be published closer to the conference day. The conference will run from 8:00am – 6:00pm on Friday, August 1 and 9:00am-4:00pm on Saturday, August 2. To see the types of speakers, sessions, and interactive elements you can expect, you can visit the 2024 Conference Digital Program.

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Active Minds. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY3SG.

* — Please note: there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

No.  The hotel is easily accessible to three different Metro Stations: Farragut North (Red Line), Farragut West (Blue and Orange Lines), and McPherson Square (Blue and Orange Lines).

Several conference meals will be provided.  These include:

• Friday – breakfast
• Friday – lunch
• Saturday – breakfast
• Saturday – lunch

Yes.  Vegan/Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available.  Please make sure to select your food preference on the registration form, as this is the only way we’ll know how to accommodate your needs through our catering orders.

You are also welcome to bring your own food or take advantage of food options near the Capital Hilton hotel.

If you have additional concerns about food allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact conference@activeminds.org.

Active Minds has a special conference rate at the Capital Hilton Hotel, and all conference attendees are encouraged to stay there.  This rate is available until July 14, 2025, or when all rooms are booked.

Join us at the Capital Hilton, where we’ll gather for all Conference sessions. Combining style, historical character, and an enviable location, the Capital Hilton is located just blocks from the capital’s best attractions including The White House, the National Mall, and a multitude of museums. With comfortable rooms and suites and a great restaurant, the hotel offers all you need for an unforgettable trip to DC.

Capital Hilton is located two blocks north of the White House on 16th Street and K Street, in Northwest Washington, DC. The hotel is easily accessible to three different Metro Stations: Farragut North (Red Line), Farragut West (Blue and Orange Lines), and McPherson Square (Blue and Orange Lines).

While planning your trip, use this map with direction from local airports.

The hotel offers valet parking only, but there are self-park garages nearby, which are not operated by the hotel.

• Reagan National Airport
• Washington Dulles International Airport
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

While planning your trip, use this map with direction from local airports.

If you are registering more than four attendees, please contact Emelyne Ndikumasabo at emelyne@activeminds.org to process the group registration. We do offer a 20% group registration discount when registering more than four attendees.

Please head to this form to register!

Early Bird Registration: Early Bird Registration is available until April 30th at 4:00pm ET.  The registration fee will be $110 for young adults and $200 for general.

Regular Registration: The regular online registration rate is in effect from May 1st until July 24th at 4pm ET.  The registration fee will be $160 for young adults and $250 for general.  After July 24th, online registration is closed.

On-site registration will not be available.

No, on-site registration is not available.

Yes, as long as you confirm the transfer before Thursday, July 17, 2025.  To do so, contact conference@activeminds.org with the name of the original registrant and the name and contact information for the individual replacing them.

A discounted early bird registration fee is available until April 30, 2025, at 4:00 pm ET.

We also offer a discounted registration fee for students and 20% group registration discount for those registering more than 4 attendees.

The registration fee covers the cost to attend both days of the 2025 Active Minds Mental Health Conference, conference materials, and four meals throughout the event.  Please make hotel and travel arrangements separately.

We can offer a refund on the registration fee until July 22, 2025, at 5pm ET. We are not able to offer refunds after this cut-off date because meals and other event expenses will have been confirmed.

Active Minds aims to provide a conference that is accessible to people who are passionate about changing the culture around mental health, despite potential financial barriers. Stipend funding is available for youth and young adults (ages 18–25) through an application process to assist the financial barrier that prevents youth and young adults from attending our Mental Health Conference located in Washington, DC.

Please apply for the stipend BEFORE registering for the conference. Applications are open until online registration closes on July 24th. Stipends will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Use this form to apply for a 2025 Conference stipend.

All youth and young adults who are awarded a stipend will receive free conference registration, and the stipends can be applied towards lodging needs only.

Please note that your stipend may not cover the full cost of your lodging needs. 

Stipends are processed via BILL.com (direct deposit) or PayPal.

If you choose BILL.com, you’ll receive an email titled “Active Minds EFT Payment Setup.” Accept the invite and follow the included PDF instructions to create your account. Once your account and bank are verified, we’ll enter an invoice for your stipend. You’ll get email updates when the invoice is pending approval, approved, and paid, along with the estimated arrival date. For questions, contact Active Minds’ Senior Associate, Accounting, at maddie.sloan@activeminds.org.

If you already have a BILL.com account or want to set one up before receiving the invite, please send us your Payment Network ID (PNI). To find it:

1. Log into BILL.com and click your initials in the top right corner.
2. Select Profile.
3. Navigate to Company Settings > Company Profile > Network.
4. Copy your PNI and send it to chapters@activeminds.org.

Due to the high volume of stipend applications we receive, your stipend is non-transferable to individuals in your chapter. We carefully review each application to ensure that funds are being distributed equitably.

No.  Stipends are to assist in lodging expenses related to the Active Minds Mental Health Conference only and are non-transferable.

Yes!  If you are awarded a conference stipend, you will receive free registration for our Conference.

Your Conference Registration Fee, which is waived for Stipend Recipients, covers the cost of four meals provided to you during the conference, breakfast, and lunch on both Friday and Saturday.

Our team has thoroughly researched and calculated the average hotel night cost to determine a fixed rate for stipend recipients.

Our team has a responsibility to equitably distribute funds to all stipend recipients to ensure that all stipend recipients have the chance and opportunity to attend our Mental Health Conference. With this in mind, we are not able to provide an additional amount to the original amount that was awarded.

If you need help with a payment, please contact conference@activeminds.org.

Our online registration system only accepts payment via credit card.

If you need to pay via check or cash, please email conference@activeminds.org for registration assistance.

Yes! Sponsorship packages can be customized depending on your organization’s needs.  Please contact conference@activeminds.org and we’ll be happy to work with you.

Your company or organization is invited to become a sponsor at the Active Minds 2025 Mental Health Conference. Please see the Sponsorship Packet for opportunities and additional information.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at conference@activeminds.org to discuss partnership and sponsorship opportunities.  We’re happy to work with you!

Active Minds is thrilled to recognize outstanding individuals, schools, chapters, and more during our 2025 Mental Health Conference.

The application for awards is open through Friday, April 18 at 5PM ET.  

Yes!  Merchandise from the Active Minds Shop will be available for purchase on-site at the conference.  Come prepared to buy all of your Active Minds swag and save on shipping!

We will be accepting cash, credit cards, and checks.

We strive to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.

If you are in need of any services to ensure that you are able to engage fully in the conference, please reach out to conference@activeminds.org so that we can work to accommodate your needs.

Yes, the hotel and conference center are wheelchair accessible.  We encourage all persons with disabilities to participate in our programs and activities.

If you anticipate needing an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please email conference@activeminds.org or call 202-332-9595 in advance.

We welcome whatever you feel most comfortable in — you’ll see attendees repping their Active Minds t-shirts, showing off their own school spirit, and rocking business casual looks.  We ask that you please avoid attire with inappropriate language or images.  Please keep in mind that the hotel ballrooms can be on a colder-side temperature wise.