The Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2027 is an excellent leadership opportunity for young people who are passionate about improving youth mental health, employment, and economic opportunity. The program brings together young advocates from diverse backgrounds and provides them with leadership training, professional development, mentoring, and practical experience.
Selected participants will take part in a nine-month leadership program from September 2026 to May 2027. During this period, members will attend monthly virtual meetings, collaborate on a capstone project, interact with professionals, and develop skills in advocacy and community engagement.
Participants will also receive a $2,000 stipend to support their leadership activities. The program is open to young people aged 18 to 25 from all nationalities who meet the eligibility requirements.
Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2027 Summary
- Program Name: Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2027
- Host Organization: Mental Health America
- Location: United States
- Program Duration: September 2026 to May 2027
- Award: $2,000 stipend
- Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities
- Age Requirement: 18–25 years
- Program Type: Leadership and Advocacy Program
- Meeting Format: Monthly virtual meetings
- Program Focus: Youth mental health, leadership, advocacy, employment, and economic opportunity
- Conference: Mental Health America Conference in Washington, D.C.
- Application Deadline: August 28, 2026
Benefits of the Young Leaders Council
Selected members will receive several professional and leadership development opportunities, including:
A $2,000 stipend to support leadership activities.
Leadership and advocacy training.
Professional development workshops.
Mentoring and guidance from experienced professionals.
Networking opportunities with mental health professionals and advocates.
Collaboration with young leaders from different backgrounds.
Practical community engagement experience.
Experience working on a team-based capstone project.
Opportunities to contribute to youth mental health initiatives.
Participation in the Mental Health America Conference in Washington, D.C.
A certificate of participation upon successful completion of the program.
Opportunities to showcase their work through Mental Health America's national network and partner organizations.
Program Focus Areas
The Young Leaders Council focuses on developing young advocates who can contribute to positive changes in youth mental health and economic opportunity.
Key areas include:
Youth mental health advocacy
Leadership development
Public speaking
Community engagement
Mental health awareness campaigns
Policy and advocacy
Project planning and management
Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Social impact leadership
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be between 18 and 25 years old.
Demonstrate leadership experience or involvement related to youth mental health, employment, or financial health.
Have an interest in advancing solutions that improve youth mental health and economic opportunity.
Be available to participate in monthly virtual meetings from September 2026 through May 2027.
Be willing to collaborate with other participants on a team capstone project.
Be able to participate in the required program activities and commitments.
The program is open to applicants of all nationalities, subject to the official program requirements.
What Will Young Leaders Council Members Do?
The selected participants will be involved in various activities throughout the nine-month program.
Attend Monthly Virtual Meetings
Members will participate in monthly virtual meetings lasting approximately 90 minutes. These sessions will provide opportunities to learn, collaborate, and discuss issues affecting young people.
Work With Professionals
Participants will interact with professionals and practitioners working in youth mental health, employment, and related areas. This exposure can help participants better understand advocacy and community-based solutions.
Develop a Capstone Project
Young Leaders Council members will work collaboratively to design and implement a team capstone project. The project will allow participants to apply their leadership, communication, and project management skills to a real-world issue.
Participate in the Mental Health America Conference
Members are expected to speak and participate in the Mental Health America Conference in Washington, D.C., scheduled for October 8–9, 2026.
Promote Youth-Focused Solutions
Participants will identify and encourage policies and practices that support youth mental health, employment, and economic well-being.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the required information and supporting materials before beginning the application. These may include:
Updated CV or resume
Motivation or personal statement
Recommendation letter
Educational information or documents
Details of previous leadership and advocacy experience
Applicants should check the official application instructions for the exact documents required.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2027 is August 28, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications before the deadline and carefully review all information before submitting.
How to Apply for the Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2027
Interested candidates can follow these general steps:
Visit the official Mental Health America Young Leaders Council application page.
Review the program requirements and eligibility criteria.
Complete the online application form.
Provide information about your leadership, advocacy, and community involvement.
Prepare and upload the required supporting documents.
Explain your interest in youth mental health and economic opportunity.
Review the application carefully.
Submit the completed application before August 28, 2026.
Why Apply for the Young Leaders Council?
The Mental Health America Young Leaders Council can be valuable for young advocates who want to develop practical leadership skills while contributing to issues affecting their communities.
In addition to the $2,000 stipend, participants gain access to training, professional networks, mentoring, collaborative projects, and opportunities to engage with national mental health advocates. The program can also provide participants with experience in public speaking, advocacy, project management, and community engagement.
Official Call: https://mhanational.org/young-leaders-council-2026-2027-application/
