The Scattergood Foundation is committed to recognizing leadership in behavioral health. Each month, we will be highlighting a behavioral health champion. As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, this September, we would like to honor Alison Malmon, the Founder and Executive Director of Active Minds.
Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students. Through education, research, and advocacy, Active Minds has elevated conversation about mental health and created lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.
Alison formed the organization in 2003 as a 21-year-old, following the death of her brother and only sibling Brian, by suicide. With a desire to end the silence that caused her brother to suffer alone and ultimately take his own life, Alison created a group on her campus at the University of Pennsylvania to promote open dialogue around mental health. Since then, Active Minds has grown into the country’s foremost mental health organization for students and young adults, with award-winning programs and a vibrant network of campus chapters. Now 16 years later, Active Minds impacts 7.3 million young adults each year with its presence on more than 800 campuses, in workplaces, and in communities nationwide.
The Scattergood Foundation has been fortunate enough to know Alison and her dynamic team since the beginning. We are thankful for her leadership, persistence, and lifelong commitment to changing the conversation about mental health.
Learn more about Active Minds and get involved.