Active Minds (activeminds.org) is the premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for youth and young adults. Through award-winning programs and services, Active Minds empowers a new generation to change the conversation about mental health. Founded by Churchill ’99 graduate Alison Malmon after the suicide of her only brother, Brian (Churchill ’95) when he was just 22, Active Minds has grown to become the leading organization that reaches young people with the messages that seeking help is a sign of strength, that there is hope, and that they are not alone. Active Minds reaches close to 600,000 students each year through school awareness campaigns, events, advocacy, outreach, partnerships, and more. With the support of Women Who Care, Active Minds will create its first high school-specific tool, a youth-informed mental health video for dissemination throughout MCPS high schools. This animated video will address mental health stigma, awareness and education in schools, and help-seeking among youth. The video will utilize the voices and leadership of local high school students to educate their peers about mental health through real-life experiences, which will normalize the conversation and encourage students to connect with trusted resources and services.
