Get Involved: Mental Health

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To get involved with activism that supports the mental health and wellbeing of people, with attention to the needs of particular marginalized communities, our experts recommend that you explore these organizations. These recommendations are not endorsements, since organizations can change over time, and it’s important to find a group that fits you and your values.

 

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is committed to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ youth and young people. They strive to accomplish this by providing crisis services, providing peer support services, conducting research, developing educational and training resources for individuals and institutions, and advocating for legislation. You can volunteer to support LGBTQ+ young people remotely by responding to calls, texts, and chats as a trained Trevor counselor working for their 24 hour crisis line. Note: There is a time commitment required.

 

Black Mental Health Alliance

The Black Mental Health Alliance (BMHA) develops, promotes, and sponsors trusted culturally-relevant educational forums, trainings, and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and their communities. Volunteers assist with events, special projects, and fundraising, completing tasks such as set-up and clean up of events, soliciting prizes for events, proofreading materials and publications, and hosting parties to recruit new members.

 

Mental Health America

Mental Health America advances the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service. Currently, volunteer opportunities are only available in-person in Washington, DC. Volunteers primarily assist with events, such as the national conference and community outreach events.

 

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing works to ensure that people have access to affordable, comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment. They accomplish this by advocating for life-saving legislation, strengthening the substance use and mental health safety-net system, investing in provider capacity, and increasing mental health literacy. Volunteers can serve as instructors for Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training program that  teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges so that you can help and support those in crisis. Volunteers can also assist with advocacy efforts via letter writing and lobbying.