If you are a high school student curious about mental health or considering a future in psychology, counseling, social work, or healthcare, joining a mental health program is a great place to begin. These programs let you move beyond classroom learning and understand how mental health affects everyday life, relationships, and communities.
You will not just study concepts on paper. You will develop skills that matter in your own life, such as managing stress, understanding emotions, and communicating more openly. Many programs also connect you with trained professionals and other students who share your interests, giving you a clearer picture of the many roles within the mental health field.
Why Explore Mental Health Programs in High School?
Mental health programs give you the time and space to learn about yourself while building academic and professional skills. You will see how mental health support works in real settings, including schools, research environments, and community organizations. Along the way, you build empathy, self-awareness, and critical thinking skills that are valuable for college applications and for life beyond school.
You can also check out our blog on online programs for high school students here.
15 Mental Health Programs for High School Students
1. Brain Research Apprenticeship in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free. A stipend is provided, but the amount is not specified. Previous cohorts have received $1,000 stipends.
Program dates: 7 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Applications open in October
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who live in New York City and are enrolled in one of the Zuckerman Institute’s New York City-based partner programs (S-PREP, BioBus, Lang Youth Medical, Columbia Secondary School, or Double Discovery Center).
The Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia program matches high school students with Columbia neuroscientists to work on research projects in the field. As an intern, you will work with your mentor in one of Columbia’s laboratories, learn how to conduct research, and engage in activities like coding, dissecting, and pipetting. While this program focuses on gaining lab experience, previous students have worked on topics related to mental health, such as the effects of stress on the brain. Your work will culminate in a research poster and presentation at the end of the program.
2. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (An online track is also available)
Cost: $1,725 for the virtual program, $3,325 for the in-person program
Program dates: Virtual: Session 1 from June 8-19, Session 2 from June 22 – July 3; On campus: Session 1 from July 6-17, Session 2 from July 20-31
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between December 15 and March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience is a two-week summer program that dives into neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. Through seminars and lectures, you will learn about topics like behavioural neuroscience, intervention programs, trauma, forensic psychiatry, and conditions like OCD, autism, psychosis, eating disorders, and addictions. You will also get plenty of hands-on experience by working in teams to develop an innovative solution to a field-specific issue as a capstone project. At the end of the program, you will have the chance to present your work during a capstone session.
3. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Cost: Free. Students receive a paid stipend
Program dates: June 8 – July 9. Mandatory orientation is June 5
Application deadline: February 10. Applications open January 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (at least 16 years old when the program starts) from across the United States
The Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program is a four-week, paid research internship that gives high school students real hands-on experience in professional neuroscience laboratories. You will work directly with neuroscientists and researchers on active research projects, gaining exposure to specialized fields including neuropsychology, neuro-oncology, and cognitive neuroscience. Throughout the program, you will learn how to use advanced laboratory technologies and conduct actual research using the same equipment and methods that professional scientists use. Beyond lab work, you will also have the opportunity to explore non-laboratory roles that support neuroscience research, such as communications and publication work, allowing you to discover different career pathways in the field.
4. Johns Hopkins Pre-College Program – Neuroscience and Behavior
Location: Virtual
Cost: $85 application fee, $1,950 tuition fee. A fellowship award is available for students who need financial assistance.
Program dates: Session 1 from June 22 – July 3, Session 2 from July 6-17, Session 3 from July 20-31
Application deadline: Rolling. Applications open November 20
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed the 9th grade and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Johns Hopkins University’s pre-college summer program includes a course on neuroscience and behavior, a two-week program that explores the connection between the two fields. The curriculum examines how cells, chemicals, and other biological phenomena can influence behavior in complex ways. You will study specific situations, such as a neurodegenerative disease causing fits of laughter or how altering a single neural receptor turns a rodent into a polygamous animal. The coursework is primarily asynchronous, but you will need to meet submission deadlines and attend a few synchronous sessions for office hours and group discussions. You will receive one college credit at the end of the program.
5. Yale Summer Sessions – Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Location: Online
Cost: $5,480
Program dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age
Yale Summer Sessions allows high school students to experience learning at Yale University and dive into college-level courses. Through the Introduction to Clinical Psychology course, you will learn about various mental disorders and their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. You will also examine these disorders from a variety of perspectives — psychological, biological, and sociocultural. This course accepts 20 students per cohort and offers 1 college credit on completion.
6. Child Mind Institute’s Youth Mental Health Academy
Location: Child Mind Institute, San Mateo, CA
Cost: None. Students receive a stipend of up to $2,000
Program dates: June 22 – July 23 for the summer academy; year-round programming is also available
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who attend a public or private school in California and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students from marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.
The Youth Mental Health Academy is a paid, five-week program through which high school students learn about and gain hands-on experience in the field of mental health. You will learn about mental health disorders, causes, treatments, research, and career opportunities through a combination of interactive lessons, discussions, and real-world challenges. You will also be matched with a mentor who will offer guidance throughout the program. Your work will culminate in a capstone project on a specific topic. Previous students’ projects include “How Toxic Masculinity Affects Self-Esteem of Female Adolescents” and “The Rise of Oppressive Ideologies. After the summer academy ends, you will attend workshops and check-ins with your mentor during the rest of the school year.
7. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: 2 weeks in June
Application deadline: Typically in early February
Eligibility: Rising 10, 11, and 12 grade students and college first-years
UT Southwestern’s Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week, virtual summer program that allows high school students to explore the range of career pathways in the field of mental health. The program is led by physician assistants, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, and neuropsychologists, from whom you will get a comprehensive idea about a future in mental health. You will also learn through reading packages, including relevant media as well as scientific articles. By the end of the program, you will have a better understanding of topics like neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, community psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, and more.
8. Harvard University’s Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: This is a self-paced program that should take about 6 weeks to complete
Application deadline: None, you can sign up any time
Eligibility: Anyone can sign up
This virtual course offered by Harvard University’s Professional and Lifelong Learning initiative allows you to dive into the field of applied psychology and learn how to build personal resilience. The curriculum focuses on five science-driven skills that will teach you how to manage your anxieties, fears, and other emotional stress. You will learn techniques that can help you during stressful situations, such as a “Charge-Up Plan” to get out of a slump. In the process, you will also get a basic understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
9. Here’s Teen Advisor Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,200. Full and partial scholarships are available
Program dates: The training period is either during the spring or winter semester. Students are expected to commit to two shifts per month for a year
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: All high school students
Here is a platform for peer-led mental health support supported by a non-profit organization. The platform’s Teen Advisor Program gives high school students the chance to become Teen Advisors and offer mental health support to people their own age. The program begins with a comprehensive training period, during which you will learn about reflective communication, crisis intervention, and how to recognize signs of mental health struggles. With the supervision of a professional clinician, you will then provide support as a Teen Advisor on the Here app. Additionally, you will have the chance to become an ambassador for the program and spread awareness in the community.
10. Stanford Neurodiversity Project – Research, Education, and Advocacy Camp for High Schoolers
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $2320 for remote participation, $2730 for in-person participation. About 10-20% of the attendees are offered scholarships
Program dates: July 6-17 for the hybrid camp, July 20-31 for the in-person camp
Application deadline: April 16. However, applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students
The SNP-REACH is a two-week summer camp for high school students to learn about neurodiversity and neurodiversity advocacy. During the program, you will study the history of and the science behind neurodiversity, hear from student advocates, and then work on a neurodiversity advocacy project with your group. You will learn and use the design thinking approach for the project, and, in the end, select campers will be given the opportunity to present their work at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. Previous students have worked on projects revolving around providing parents of neurodivergent children with support and resources or helping people with autism to find jobs that suit them and receive support for the application process.
11. USC’s Psychological Science and Society
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $85 application fee. $8,130 tuition fee for commuters, $11,570 for residents
Program dates: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: March 13 for international students, May 8 for domestic students
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed the 9th grade. International applicants must meet these requirements.
USC’s Psychological Science and Society is a 4-week summer program that explores the foundational concepts of psychology by diving into four core subjects: cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and social psychology. You will spend a week studying each of these through lab demonstrations, experiments, field trips, group problem-solving, role-playing activities, and research work. Previous students have visited the California Science Centre and the Broad Museum. At the end of the program, you will receive three units of elective credit, which are transferable to your school or college!
12. NSLC’s Psychology and Neuroscience High School Summer Program
Location: You can choose between three locations: Duke University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Michigan
Cost: ranges from $4,295-$4,495
Program dates: Multiple 9-day sessions between June 11 and July 26
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18 who have completed at least one year of high school
As a psychology and neuroscience program, this NSLC course explores the science of the mind as well as the biological, environmental, and social factors that influence it. The curriculum focuses on hands-on work through a combination of labs, simulations, and activities like taking clinical diagnostics, conducting organ dissections, analysing brain scans, and studying neural activity. In the process, you will learn how mental health professionals diagnose and treat psychological disorders. You will also learn from professional guest speakers and go on field trips to medical centres or museums.
13. Messiah University’s Psychology Camp
Location: Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA
Cost: $699 for residents, $599 for commuters
Program dates: June 22-27
Application deadline: June 1. However, applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12
Messiah University’s Psychology Camp is a pre-college camp that allows high school students to get a university experience while learning the fundamentals of psychology. As a participant, you will explore the various branches of psychology, including clinical psychology, developmental psychology, biopsychology, perception, stress and coping, cognition, memory, decision making, and more. You will learn through a combination of lectures, hands-on work, and demonstrations. The curriculum also includes Service Learning, which includes applying your knowledge through acts of service.
14. Wake Forest University’s Psychology Institute
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500
Program dates: Session 1 from July 12-17, Session 2 from July 19-24
Application deadline: Applications open on November 1 and are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students
Wake Forest University’s Psychology Institute offers a hands-on approach to learning psychology and exploring the brain, emotions, and senses. During the program, you will explore topics like neuroscience, the structure of the brain, senses and perception, and the psychology of addiction. You can expect practical activities like sheep brain dissections, working at a sensory perception lab, and conducting research by observing human behavior at a mall. You will also conduct research in teams and present your findings at the end of the program.
Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Cost: $1,395. Tuition waivers are awarded to only up to two students
Program dates: July 13-18
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Camp Psych is a one-week residential summer camp that introduces high school students to the field of psychology, with a strong focus on research. You will dive into the field and study topics such as altruism and explore questions like what motivates people to help. You will also engage in the experimental research process, from formulating a research question to examining real-world applications and holding break-out discussion groups. After designing a study and collecting data, you will present your findings at the end of the program.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like mental health policy, psychology and cognition, behavioral science, neuroscience, and the social determinants of mental well-being, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Wake Forest University