Girl Up

Are you ready to make a difference in mental health? You can join Girl Up USA to be ONE of the 10 Mental Health Youth Champions leading the charge for mental wellness advocacy! You’ll have the opportunity to organize national events during Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 and 2026, create impactful activities in your community, and inspire others to support youth mental health resources. It’s your chance to turn your passion into action and be a part of something truly transformative!

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Application Deadline: September 1st, 11:59 PM

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• Application Opens: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
• Application deadline: Sunday, September 1, 2024
• Application Form: Apply Here
  • Personal Information
  • Short Essay Questions (150 words)
  • Video Introduction (2 minutes)
• Review and Selection: By October 1st, 2024

We are looking for dedicated champions of mental health with the following qualifications and requirements:

Qualifications and Requirements 

• Ages 13-24 
• Must identify as a girl, young woman, or gender non-conforming youth 
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to youth mental health advocacy 
• Be willing to organize and participate in national and community events 
• Have the capacity to attend and contribute to monthly meetings and wellbeing sessions 
• Be able to collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders 
• Commit to leading initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 
• Commit to our list of key dates and milestones over a two year period 
• Have both virtual and in-person event planning experience 

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What You Gain

• Continued event planning training and experience
• The opportunity to foster community among youth who are also dedicated to mental wellness
• To plan an Activist Wellbeing Session with a renowned mental health expert 
• Originate and execute a Community Action Project designed to improve mental wellness in your local area. 
• Each Girl Up USA Mental Health Youth Champion will receive a financial award to support the implementation of projects that advance community advocacy efforts.   

During these monthly meetings, we will be discussing, learning, and creating ways for the 10 Mental Health Youth Champions to create an impact for the Girl Up USA Community

For the next two years, Mental Health Youth Champions will curate workshops to equip Girl Up USA participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to address mental health issues effectively. These sessions cover various mental health topics and provide insights into recognizing threats, symptoms, and coping strategies. Mental Health Youth Champion will plan and host each session delivered by experts in the field, ensuring high-quality, informative, and engaging content.

Join us to deepen your understanding of mental health, learn practical tools for advocacy, and connect with a community dedicated to promoting youth wellness.

As a Mental Health Youth Champion, you will have the opportunity to develop and implement a Community Action Project that promotes mental wellness and support for youth. These projects can range from organizing local workshops on mental health awareness to creating safe spaces for youth to find mental health resources. Each project aims to engage the community, reduce mental health stigma, and provide practical resources and support. Mental Health Youth Champions will be responsible for presenting their qualitative and quantitative community impact through creative storytelling.

By leading these initiatives, you’ll gain valuable experience in project planning and execution, make a tangible impact in your community, and inspire others to join the movement for better mental health.

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This program is powered by The Starbucks Foundation, to support youth leaders in engaging young people to strengthen communities and build resilience.