Letters to Strangers Youth Mental Health Education Fellowship 2026

Year-long US fellowship equipping teachers, counselors, and school staff with evidence-based youth mental health tools. Includes $1,000 implementation stipend and 15 PD hours; priority for Title I, rural, and under-resourced schools. Apply by June 30, 2026.

Applications are open for the Letters to Strangers (L2S) Youth Mental Health Education Fellowship 2026. The fellowship equips US-based teachers, counselors, and school administrators with evidence-based tools to recognize, respond to, and reduce mental health stigma among their students – at no cost to the educator or school.

This is a year-long commitment, and L2S is selecting 10 Fellows for this inaugural cohort, with priority given to educators at Title I, rural, and under-resourced schools. Applicants do not need an existing L2S Chapter at their school.

Benefits: $1,000 implementation stipend; complete curriculum package with Teachers’ Handbook; 15 professional development hours with certificate; monthly 1-hour expert Zoom sessions with mental health professionals and youth advocates; digital emotional literacy module on AI chatbots; access to the L2S global network of youth leaders and school professionals.

Eligibility: US-based; currently working in a school or youth-serving setting with high school-age students (approx. grades 9–12); open to any school-based role (teacher, counselor, administrator, dean, social worker, school psychologist, etc.); committed to completing the year-long fellowship and integrating the curriculum. Prior mental health training is not required.

Deadline: Applications close June 30, 2026 and are assessed on a rolling basis; selections communicated by mid-July.