Mental Health America (MHA) is calling on young leaders passionate about mental health policy and peer support to apply for its Youth Policy Accelerator (YPA).

This program, which runs from April to December, offers 10 young adults the chance to develop their skills, forge connections and make an impact on federal youth peer support policy.

The YPA is designed for young adults aged 18-25 from diverse backgrounds and identities who are interested in the intersection of youth peer support and policy change. Whether applicants have experience in policy advocacy, have led peer support initiatives or have worked as peer specialists, the program welcomes a wide range of expertise.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and committed to completing the program in full.

The program is divided into two parts. From April to June, participants will engage in weekly 90-minute virtual sessions to explore the foundations of policymaking and youth peer support. These sessions will feature insights from leading experts, community-building opportunities and collaborative efforts to establish policy and research priorities.

The second phase, running from July to December, focuses on applying these skills in real-world scenarios.

Participants will meet twice a month for 60-minute sessions and engage in hands-on activities such as meeting with legislators, conducting original research, leading coalitions and presenting at panels. The program emphasizes an intergenerational approach, fostering mutual learning between leaders of different age groups.

Participants will gain valuable experience in public speaking, policy research, coalition leadership and campaign creation. They will also have the opportunity to influence federal policy, develop strategy and expand their professional networks. YPA members will join MHA's youth leaders network, which includes over 150 program graduates and offers ongoing training and leadership opportunities.

This is a paid opportunity, with each participant receiving a $3,000 stipend. Applications for the 2026 cohort are due by Sunday, Feb. 23, with selected applicants to be notified by March 16.

For more information or assistance with the application process, contact Jackie Menjivar, MHA's manager of peer and youth advocacy, at jmenjivar@mhanational.org.

To apply, visit MHA's Youth Policy Accelerator page at https://mhanational.org/youth-policy-accelerator/application and complete the form before the deadline.