Active Minds, Inc.

Active Minds, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and education among young adults through peer-to-peer dialogue and interaction. Founded in 2003, its core mission is to mobilize youth and young adults to lead a transformative movement in mental health, aiming to change how mental health is valued and prioritized in society by equipping, connecting, and amplifying their collective voices. The organization's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C..

Active Minds operates primarily through a network of over 600 student-led chapters established in high schools, colleges, and universities across the United States and Canada. Key programs and services include the A.S.K. (Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch) peer support framework, the traveling suicide prevention exhibit Send Silence Packing, and the Active Minds Speakers Bureau, which provides mental health education. The organization also offers youth leadership training, hosts a national conference, and has initiatives like the Healthy Campus Award and Active Minds @Work, which focuses on mental health in professional environments.

Founded by Alison Malmon following the suicide of her brother, Active Minds has grown to become the largest nonprofit in the U.S. mobilizing young people for mental health advocacy. In recent news, the organization received a significant $20 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in July 2026, marking the largest donation in its history. Additionally, Active Minds announced a commitment in May 2025 to engage 100,000 youth and young adult mental health advocates by 2028 and launched a national initiative in June 2026, backed by Google.org, to equip 100,000 high school students with mental health resources.