# Youth Mental Health Academy

Paid 14-month mental health career academy for Los Angeles County juniors and seniors: a five-week summer academy (stipend up to $1,750), school-year virtual mentorship, and pathways into clinical and research internships.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Child Mind Institute |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 11–12 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Apply | https://childmind.org/youth-mental-health-academy/ |

## About this program

# Youth Mental Health Academy

The Child Mind Institute's Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA) develops the next generation of mental health professionals by giving high school students from communities underrepresented in the field a paid, structured introduction to psychology, clinical care, and research careers. The program runs roughly 14 months, anchored by an in-person summer academy in Los Angeles County - the 2026 session ran June 22 - July 23, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

## What You'll Do

- Complete a five-week summer academy of project-based learning on mental health topics, earning a stipend of up to $1,750
- Continue through the school year (August-March) with virtual workshops and mentorship
- Explore careers spanning clinical practice, research, and media/communications in mental health
- Build a peer cohort and professional mentors in the mental health field

## Who Should Apply

Rising juniors and seniors enrolled in a public or private high school in Los Angeles County with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, proof of health insurance coverage, and a strong interest in mental health. The program prioritizes students from structurally marginalized communities, including youth of color and LGBTQIA+ youth. For the 2026 cohort, the priority deadline was January 15 and the final deadline February 28, 2026; the next cycle typically reopens in late fall.

## Outcomes

YMHA scholars finish with paid project experience, a mental health professional network, and preparation for second-summer internship placements - a rare structured pathway into psychology and behavioral health careers before college.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Youth Mental Health Academy cost?

Youth Mental Health Academy is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Youth Mental Health Academy?

Youth Mental Health Academy is open to high school students in grades 11–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Youth Mental Health Academy online or in person?

Youth Mental Health Academy is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Los Angeles, CA).

### How do I apply to Youth Mental Health Academy?

Apply directly through Child Mind Institute's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

---

Last updated: 2026-07-28.
Canonical page: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/child-mind-institute-youth-mental-health-academy
Source: ExtracurricularHub (https://extracurricularhub.com) — a free directory of 1,900+ verified extracurricular programs for high school students. Cite the canonical page above; always confirm binding details on the program's official site.