Programs for Middle School Students

Middle school students are able and ready to be leaders in changing the conversation on mental health. Through partnership with United Health, Active Minds is piloting the We Are Active Minds Middle School program in Florida, North Carolina, and Minnesota starting in fall 2023. We Are Active Minds Middle School is a free program for middle schools to increase knowledge and skills while changing attitudes and cultures on mental health. Our middle school program is research-informed, developmentally appropriate, and celebrates and promotes diversity and inclusion. 

Our goal is simple: provide middle school students with the skills and confidence to create the school community they have always wanted while starting the conversation about mental health. If you are interested in bringing We Are Active Minds Middle School to your school, click here.

The We Are Active Minds Middle School program consists of:

We Are Active Minds Clubs and the We Are Active Minds Middle School Curriculum.

We Are Active Minds Clubs

We Are Active Minds Clubs are mental health clubs for middle school students. The club will be co-facilitated by school staff and students. We Are Active Minds Club is for all students to explore mental health. We Are Active Minds Club can be made up of diverse student populations or for a specific community of students i.e. student athletes, BIPOC youth, or LGBTQ+ youth. Having a club in your school will provide a space for students to discuss mental health, build community, and engage in club activities as they navigate the We Are Active Minds Middle School curriculum. We Are Active Minds Clubs will be part of the Active Minds Chapter Network and will receive chapter network newsletters, resources, and technical assistance. 

We Are Active Minds Middle School Curriculum

The We Are Active Minds Middle School Curriculum is a free mental health curriculum that is co-facilitated between student leaders and adult facilitators. The We Are Active Minds Middle School Curriculum can be facilitated during a We Are Active Minds Middle School Club, during a class, or during an existing student club that wants to center the conversation about mental health.

The curriculum consists of 16 lessons divided into two sections: “self” and “community” to help students explore who they are, and how they relate to others while growing their mental health literacy and advocacy skills. Topics students and adults will discuss include: identifying emotions, coping skills, understanding mental health, getting help, mental health crisis, healthy relationships, self-esteem, and so much more. The We Are Active Minds Curriculum is developmentally appropriate and uses best practices by including activity-based learning, having lessons build on one another, and centering student voices to bring the lessons to life.

The Curriculum is informed from national standards and best practices:

• CASEL’s SEL Framework (self and community core competencies)
• National School Counseling Association (ASCA) Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success
• Positive Youth Development (PYD)

Schools that join the We Are Active Minds Middle School community will receive:

• Ongoing support and technical assistance from Active Minds K-12 Initiatives staff.
• Virtual workshops and training to enhance facilitation skills and understanding of mental health topics while finding support from peers across the country.
• First-hand access to all new materials to support middle school students.