Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2026–2027 – $2,000 Stipend
Mental Health America’s Young Leaders Council 2026–2027 brings together young leaders aged 18–25 who have experience creating or participating in initiatives that address gaps in mental health support. Five young adult leaders will be selected for a nine-month term focused on youth employment, financial well-being, and mental health. Members receive a $2,000 stipend, and applications are due Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: Young Leaders Council 2026–2027
Organizer: Mental Health America
Age Range: 18–25
Duration: Nine months
Programme Period: September 2026 to May 2027
Selected Members: Five young adult leaders
Stipend: $2,000
Deadline: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
About the Young Leaders Council 2026–2027
Mental Health America’s Young Leaders Council brings together young people who have created programmes and initiatives to address gaps in mental health support and resources in their communities.
The Council aims to convene youth leaders, provide professional and personal development opportunities, and co-create projects that elevate youth perspectives and priorities in mental health.
For 2026–2027, the programme will focus on financial well-being and access to meaningful work that supports social connection, agency, and future pathways.
The selected cohort will investigate, inform, and advocate for initiatives supporting:
• Youth employment opportunities
• Financial well-being
• Mental health among young people
What YLC Members Will Do
The nine-month programme runs from September 2026 to May 2027.
Selected members will:
✓ Attend monthly 90-minute virtual meetings
✓ Engage with experts
✓ Help select group priorities
✓ Identify and elevate strategies supporting youth employment and well-being
✓ Co-create a capstone project
✓ Attend and speak at the Mental Health America Conference
✓ Amplify their work through Mental Health America’s national network
✓ Join MHA’s network of youth programme graduates
✓ Access ongoing training and community-building opportunities
The Mental Health America Conference will take place in Washington, D.C., on October 8–9, 2026.
Travel and lodging for the conference are covered by Mental Health America.
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Stipend and Programme Support
Each selected Young Leaders Council member will receive:
✓ $2,000 stipend
✓ Travel and lodging for the Mental Health America Conference
✓ Monthly engagement with experts and other youth leaders
✓ Professional and personal development opportunities
✓ Participation in a collaborative capstone project
✓ Exposure through Mental Health America’s national network
✓ Access to MHA’s expanding youth programme alumni network
The programme combines virtual participation with attendance at the Mental Health America Conference in Washington, D.C.
Who Should Apply?
Mental Health America is seeking applicants aged 18–25 with direct experience in programmes and initiatives that support employment opportunities, financial well-being, and mental health among young people.
Relevant experience may include participation in or work with:
• State and local initiatives creating new pathways to employment
• Apprenticeships or job-training programmes that integrate mental health support
• Businesses supporting young people transitioning out of the juvenile justice system
• Research on supported employment for young adults with mental health or substance use conditions
Successful applicants may also have experience in:
• Community education and outreach
• Advisory boards
• Programmes combining job training and mental health services
• Research teams
• Other related initiatives addressing youth employment, well-being, and mental health
Mental Health America prioritizes a cohort with a wide range of leadership experience connected to these areas.
Check: Bond University Leadership Scholarship Overview
Application Questions
Applicants must address three questions as part of their application:
• Why are new approaches to employment and work important for youth mental health?
• What programmes or initiatives have you been involved in or led at the intersection of employment and youth mental health?
• What are your future goals for your programme, initiative, and work?
When describing their experience, applicants should provide details about the programme or initiative, its target audience, and its impact.
The relevant initiative may be a:
• Policy initiative
• Training programme
• Nonprofit initiative
• Research project
• Other related project
Applications that do not address all three questions will not be considered.
Response Format
Applicants can answer the required questions through:
• A written response
• A video
• Bulleted answers
Written responses should contain 250–500 words in total.
Video responses must be no longer than five minutes. Mental Health America identifies YouTube and Google Drive links as preferred options for video submissions.
Supporting Materials
Applicants can provide supporting documents or links related to the programme or work described in their application.
Examples include:
• Blogs
• Websites
• News articles
• Social media accounts
• Academic papers
• Other materials related to the applicant’s work
Applicants can also provide relevant links and additional information they would like the selection team to consider.
If an applicant is applying in connection with a programme, organization, business, or initiative, its leaders should be aware of the application and be open to being featured as part of the cohort’s work.
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Selection Timeline
Mental Health America will select five young adult leaders for the 2026–2027 Young Leaders Council.
The key dates are:
• Application Deadline: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
• Selection Notification: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
• Council Term: September 2026 to May 2027
• Mental Health America Conference: October 8–9, 2026
Application Deadline
Applications for the Mental Health America Young Leaders Council 2026–2027 are due:
Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
Applicants must complete the application and address all three required questions.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official Mental Health America application page below.
