The Jed Foundation (JED) is proud to announce the 2026 Youth Advocacy Coalition (YAC) summer internship cohort. Selected through a competitive application process, this year’s interns represent today’s generation of mental health advocates. They bring a range of academic backgrounds, lived experiences, and a shared commitment to building a world where all young people can thrive emotionally and mentally. Over eight weeks, they will be immersed in a structured curriculum covering mental health policy, advocacy strategy, and storytelling. They’ll gain knowledge, skills, and have expert thought partnership to lead advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.
In the spirit of continuing to center student voice in mental health policy, YAC interns will engage directly with policymakers, contribute to legislative briefings, and contribute to JED’s ongoing work to strengthen mental health support systems for teens and young adults across the country. We are proud to introduce this year’s cohort and grateful for the perspective and commitment each of them brings to this work.
Audrey Brcka – A NCAA Division I volleyball student-athlete at William & Mary majoring in psychology, Audrey’s interest in this work stems from observing students balancing immense pressures with minimal support systems. She believes schools should prioritize prevention and early intervention to normalize asking for help. Audrey has worked with patients at Eastern State Hospital and continues to mentor young athletes. She also enjoys spending time outdoors.
Blake Hurst – A youth advocate from Indianapolis, Indiana, Blake is an incoming freshman at the University of Notre Dame. Blake plans to study global affairs and sociology. As a youth advocate within the Indiana Department of Health, Blake has helped lead initiatives focused on youth vaping and tobacco policies. He believes mental health, substance use prevention, and health equity are deeply interconnected. Blake enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and watching new movies.
Yousif Al Kinani – A rising sophomore at Bowdoin College planning to major in neuroscience, Yousif is a co-founder of a peer-led Mental Health Awareness Campaign on his campus that reaches 400+ undergraduate students, using storytelling and community forums to reduce stigma and normalize help-seeking behavior. In his free time, Yousif likes to hike, cook, and practice yoga. He prioritizes his own mental health and is always happy to help others navigate their mental health journeys.
Alicia Mitchell – A Barnard College student studying psychology and playing NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball for Columbia University, Alicia helps develop and lead advocacy initiatives that use storytelling and media to reduce stigma surrounding mental health, while pushing for a stronger and more meaningful support system for youth. Alicia loves finding new music and poetry that she relates to.
Carter Nguyen – A second-year University of Washington student, Carter is already a strong mental health advocate. He has served on the board of The ACCESS Project and became an Assistant Campus Director for the HEAL Initiative, advocating for mental health training initiatives and evaluating university counseling services nationwide. He joins the YAC to address disparities in access to care, and use his experiences to support policies that improve mental health resources and accessibility for youth.
Hanae Noirbent – A UCLA junior studying History and Comparative Literature, Hanae grew up around the world — from Edinburgh to Atlanta — with French and Cameroonian heritage. She blends creativity with advocacy as Editor-in-Chief of Nommo, an on-campus publication that uplifts the narratives of Black people. She hopes to pursue her passion for equity and access by becoming a lawyer, serving the communities she represents in courtrooms and beyond.
Learn more about the JED National Mental Health Youth Advocacy Coalition Internship Program.
Photo at top, clockwise from top left: Audrey Brcka, Blake Hurst, Yousif Al Kinani, Alicia Mitchell, Carter Nguyen, Hanae Noirbent.
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