Youth Champions

Our programs K-12 Initiatives Youth Champions

a woman posing with three young children looking at the camera

Youth Champion Connections

Active Minds is excited to to facilitate a series of important community conversations through our Youth Champion Connections workshops. Youth Champions (parents, caregivers, K-12 educators, staff, administrators, and youth development professionals) are dedicated to learning how to better support youth-led mental health advocacy. Because of the deep and proven impact of Youth Champions in supporting youth as leaders in the conversation, Active Minds believes it is critically important that Youth Champions be offered supportive learning spaces dedicated to their personal and/or professional development.

Active Minds is harnessing the power of one of the greatest determining factors in successful youth-led mental health advocacy: safe and supportive adults, also known at Active Minds as Youth Champions. Youth Champion Connections workshops are hour-long conversations designed with the invaluable importance of parents, caregivers, K-12 educators, staff, administrators, and youth development professionals in the lives of young people at their core. Sessions are designed to increase Youth Champions ability to facilitate emotionally safe and trusted spaces for youth of all identities and abilities, build mental health literacy, and center youth mobilization in mental health advocacy.

Spring 2024 Registration

Did you know that youth with even one safe and responsive adult in their lives report significantly fewer mental health-related concerns? Active Minds is dedicated to help ensure that all youth have a Champion. We excited to host another round of one-hour workshops starting Wednesdays from March 6 to April 24, 2024, 6-7 PM EST. Together, we will work to understand the value and deep impact that safe, supportive, and affirming adults have on youth mental health and wellness outcomes. We will to uncover what assets and attributes adults need to bring to the adult:youth relationship to ensure young people feel confident coming to us in times of crisis, celebration and every situation in between!

Explore Our Sessions! Attend 1 or all 8!

Session 1 — We Are the Champions! (My Youth Champion Framework)

Youth Champions will explore how they developed their adult: youth engagement perspective and practices and what it means to be a Youth Champion.

Session 2 — The Stress Test

Youth Champions will explore the stressors that impact their engagement with youth.

Session 3 — Their Guide on the Side

Youth Champions will learn how to encourage safe and helpful behaviors in youth that will inspire trust and healthy adult: youth relationships.

Session 4 — An Ear, A Hand, A Voice

Youth Champions will be introduced to the steps of active listening including conversations with youth, peers, family that are in need of emotional support and resources.

Session 5 — Show Up, Show Out! (How We Show Up as Adults for Youth)

Youth Champions will explore self-perception vs. youth perception and practice discerning the two.

Session 6 — No Shame in our Mental Health Game

Youth Champions will be introduced to the social and cultural origins of mental health shame, stigma especially as it relates to communities including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations.

Session 7 — State of Mind: Youth Mental Health 101

Youth Champions will become familiar with the most common behavioral health conditions that impact youth.

Session 8 — The 1 Hour Advocate! (Advocating for School Mental Health)

Youth Champions will be introduced to the skills of co-building a school mental health advocacy campaign with you as leaders and partners.

Request A Workshop Near You

If you are interested in bringing Active Minds Youth Champions Connections to your school, organization, or community, please reach out using the form below.

Inquiry Form