Student Engagement
Are you a student interested in mental health and suicide prevention?
Are you interested in learning more about JED’s mission? Are you looking for ways to be a leader as it relates to student mental health? JED has many ways for you to stay connected through our resources and educate yourself and those around you.
Why Does Student Mental Health Matter?
One in four American young adults (18-24) experience a mental health challenge each year. Prioritizing mental health for students is critical for academic success, retention and for them to flourish.
JED’s Approach
JED’s vision is for all teens and young adults to be equipped to navigate mental health challenges, to be able to seek and give help, and to be emotionally prepared to enter adulthood and fulfill their potential.
Learn about our approachJED’s Impact
Students are poised to lead the way and are the driving force for mental health change. Our work can’t be achieved without them.
Learn about our impactBenefits of Engaging with Student Mental Health
There are incredible benefits to engaging in mental health conversations, helping others, and taking action!
Build Awareness of Mental Health Resources
Learning about mental health can instill awareness, improve self-care practices, and help spread the word about existing resources.
JED's Resource CenterKnow the Signs to Help Others
There are different ways to start the conversation about mental health and yet, no wrong way. In partnership with the Ad Council and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, JED’s Seize the Awkward has videos, GIFs, conversation starters and more to help make starting a conversation well, less awkward.
Seize the AwkwardTake Care of Yourself
In order to help others, we need to care for ourselves and do things that make us feel taken care of mentally, physically, and emotionally. Sometimes the first step to self-care is to press pause.
Press PauseWays for Youth to Stay Engaged with JED
JED has many ways to get involved in our mission to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. Here are just a few…
JED Summer Internship Program
If you’re an undergraduate or graduate student who is passionate about mental health and suicide prevention, interested in learning more about the nonprofit field, and wants to work collaboratively with a team dedicated to building communities of care, a summer internship with The Jed Foundation (JED) might be a great fit for you!
Learn moreStudent Voice Award
Each year, The Jed Foundation (JED) honors one high school student and one college student doing outstanding work to create communities of care in their schools with the Student Voice of Mental Health Award.
Learn MoreDiscover JED Campus
JED Campus is a four-year program designed to help colleges build upon existing student mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention efforts.
Bring JED to your campusLearn How to Bring JED to Your Campus
Do you want your college or university to become a JED Campus to prioritize student mental health? This guide will help you learn more about JED Campus, how to promote the programs to decision-makers on campus, and how to write a proposal to get support and funding.
Get the guideDiscover JED High School
JED High School helps school districts and high schools evaluate and strengthen their programming and systems related to suicide prevention, mental health, and substance misuse prevention.
Bring JED to your high schoolOther Ways to Get Involved
Host a Film Screening
Sometimes the very act of seeing other people open up about their struggle can help us ask for and seek help around our own mental health struggles. Through partnerships with several organizations and production companies, JED offers campus screening opportunities of powerful films that explore real-life stories of struggle and eventual healing.
Plan a Wellness Event or Campaign
JED believes that mental health is recognized as part of general health and wellness and not associated with shame, secrecy, or prejudice. It's time we treat mental health needs more openly as a society and make it a normal part of life to get help and heal. One way to destigmatize mental health is through education and awareness campaigns or events. These can be in-person or online campaigns. See below for an example from one of our JED Campuses.
Let’s Talk About ItFundraise for JED
One of the most powerful ways we can improve our perspective and mental health is by helping others. Inviting your friends, family, and followers to join you in supporting JED grows the impact of our work and helps them feel connected to a powerful community of advocates.
Bring Neon Nights to Your Campus
Neon Nights is a one-of-a-kind student-led fundraising event and glow dance party that lights up your campus while raising awareness and essential funds for mental health services in support of JED.
Learn MoreEngage in Student Advocacy
Want to advocate for student mental health, but don’t know where to start? Check out these resources!
Learn at our Student Advocacy HubVolunteer
If you’re passionate about protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among our nation’s teens and young adults, we’d love to have you join JED’s volunteer program and help us spread information about JED and raise awareness around mental health.
JED Programs
Seize the Awkward
There are different ways to start the conversation and yet, no wrong way. Developed in partnership with the Ad Council and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, JED’s Seize the Awkward has videos, GIFs, conversation starters, and more to help make starting the conversation, well, less awkward.
Seize the AwkwardJED Storytelling
Sharing stories is a powerful way to reduce shame, prejudice, and secrecy, and inspire us to be proactive about our mental health. JED has two video series that help shine a personal light on mental health. JED Voices features intimate conversations with notable and influential mental health advocates and JED Storytelling features personal experiences of real people who’ve struggled with their mental health.
Watch their StoriesGet Immediate Help
Don’t wait! Get the help you need, when you need it with these crisis hotlines and support centers.