15 Mental Health Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 29
- 12 min read
Many universities, hospitals, and research institutions offer high school students programs to explore subjects like mental health and neuroscience before college. These programs provide exposure to college-level academics and professional research, transferable skills, contact with industry professionals and faculty, and peer networks. Fully funded programs at Stanford, NIH, Columbia, and Duke make research environments more accessible.
If you are a high school student interested in mental health, be it clinical practice, neuroscience research, public health, or the policy and advocacy side of the field, a program can be a valuable way to test that interest. When curating this list of top mental health programs for high schoolers, we prioritized rigorous programs that offer networking opportunities with professionals and faculty. Nearly all are hosted by universities, hospitals, or federal research institutions and are highly selective.
Here are 15 mental health programs for high school students!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Los Angeles County, CA, as well as virtual workshops
Cost/Stipend: No cost, students earn up to a $1,750 stipend for the summer academy
Dates: June 22 – July 23 (summer), August – March (school-year workshops)
Application Deadline: Priority deadline January 15, final deadline February 28
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a public or private high school in Los Angeles County, CA, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
The Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA), administered by the Child Mind Institute, is a 14-month program spanning two summers and an intervening academic year. During the first summer, you will participate in a five-week, paid academy to explore real-world challenges in mental health, examine topics such as mental health disorders, health inequities, and treatment approaches, and develop a culminating capstone project with mentor support. You will be matched with a mentor working or studying in a health-related field, who will serve as a professional role model and provide ongoing academic guidance. Throughout the school year, you will attend monthly virtual workshops to continue building mental health knowledge, college readiness skills, and preparation for future internships. The program also provides access to resources for college and financial aid applications, along with integrated program support from YMHA staff. The program encourages students from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Fully virtual, open to students worldwide
Cost: Varies by program; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, neuroscience, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 26% acceptance rate
Location: Fully virtual, open to students worldwide
Cost: Varies according to program. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as psychology, neuroscience, data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, approximately 10–15% across NIH
Location: NIH main campus, Bethesda, MD
Stipend: Stipend provided, adjusted annually by academic level
Dates: Minimum 8 weeks in the summer, exact dates vary by placement
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: High school seniors who have graduated before the start of the internship and are at least 18 by September 30 of the program year, residing within 40 miles of the NIH campus. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) offers high school seniors the opportunity to work side-by-side with leading biomedical scientists at the National Institutes of Health. Through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) track, you will be matched with a basic neuroscience laboratory or clinical branch to work with a preceptor on projects that may include studying the biology of mental disorders, cognitive neuroscience, brain imaging, or behavioral sciences. Over a minimum of eight weeks, you will receive hands-on training in research procedures, attend lectures by distinguished NIH investigators, participate in career and professional development workshops, and present your work at the NIH Summer Poster Day. The breadth of NIMH's research portfolio means you could contribute to projects ranging from molecular studies of psychiatric conditions to translational clinical investigations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer, for the previous cycle, the dates were June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts who are legally authorized to work in the United States
The MGH Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a six-week paid summer research internship focused on neurology, neuroscience, and the functioning of the human brain. The program begins with a structured boot camp covering research and clinical training, laboratory safety and skills, networking strategies, and sessions on applying to graduate and professional school. You will then be paired with both an undergraduate student partner and a faculty mentor from the MGH Neurology department, with whom you will contribute to an active research project in neurology or a related neuroscience field. Three times per week, you will attend didactic sessions led by leading neurologists and neuroscientists from diverse professional backgrounds, supplemented by field trips, social events, and additional networking opportunities. The program concludes with a formal final presentation of your research experience to peers, mentors, family, and the MGH Neurology department.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Stipend: Yes, stipend provided
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders attending public or charter high schools in Durham, NC. Must be at least 16 years old by June 15 and a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, or legal resident.
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) is a fully funded, eight-week summer research internship hosted by the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. You will be matched with an active neuroscience lab at Duke University based on your interests and conduct hands-on research under the individualized mentorship of a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher. Past research projects have spanned neural modeling, brain-gut connections, and other areas of cutting-edge neuroscience. The program features structured workshops on neuroscience, college applications, personal statement writing, and networking with DUNE alumni and neuroscience professionals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, approximately 4% acceptance rate
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: Paid hourly at $14/hour. No program fee.
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County, FL high school during the current school year, who are Palm Beach or Martin County residents. Must be aged 16+ by the start of the internship and legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The MPFI High School Summer Research Internship is one of the most selective and well-resourced high school research programs in the country. Over six weeks, you will be embedded in an active MPFI research laboratory and work directly with world-class neuroscientists on ongoing projects using state-of-the-art equipment. One of the three research tracks is the Neuroscience track, which involves wet lab techniques such as genetic engineering, histological staining, and advanced microscopy, including two-photon imaging, all designed to familiarize you with the workings of the human brain. You will also get to attend career development seminars, collaborate with MPFI graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and prepare a written scientific abstract based on your summer project. The program concludes with a formal presentation to MPFI researchers and the broader community.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Remote
Stipend: Stipend provided, amount varies by internship position
Dates: Year-round opportunities, summer positions typically run June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, deadlines vary by position
Eligibility: High school students under 18 must obtain a D.C. work permit and reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization for psychology in the United States. It offers internships across multiple departments, including policy, research, communications, operations, and publishing, allowing you to explore the professional and organizational side of mental health. As an intern, you will work alongside APA professionals on real-world projects that apply psychological knowledge across a range of contexts, participating in research initiatives, writing projects, educational activities, and organizational operations. You will attend workshops and educational presentations led by senior APA staff who discuss non-traditional career pathways in psychology, and you will participate in group discussions and collaborative team assignments. All interns receive a complimentary one-year APA Student Affiliate membership, granting access to the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students network.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, approximately 14 students annually
Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost, students earn a stipend
Dates: Summer. Exact dates vary by the mentor you are assigned to.
Application Deadline: Typically opens in October
Eligibility: NYC-residing high schoolers in grades 10-11 from select partner programs – S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, and BioBus.
BRAINYAC, offered by Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute, offers you a research apprenticeship in neuroscience laboratories at Columbia. You will be matched with a Columbia neuroscientist mentor and spend around seven weeks contributing to an ongoing research project under their guidance. You will attend lab meetings, seminars, and workshops covering a broad range of neuroscience topics, and you will develop a deeper understanding of how scientific inquiry moves from hypothesis to discovery. Given its cohort size of approximately 14 students, BRAINYAC is among the most selective high school neuroscience programs in the country.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents
This program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and gives you laboratory research experience in neuroscience, neurological injury, and neurodegeneration. You will be placed in an active OSU research lab and work directly with a faculty mentor, graduate students, and lab technicians on a specific scientific question that is part of your mentor's ongoing research. Beyond bench work, you will participate in the Explorations in Neuroscience Journal Club, where you will receive formal training in reading and critically evaluating scientific literature. You’ll also attend lab meetings and social events that broaden your exposure to the neuroscience research community. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your research findings. There is no GPA cutoff and no prior research experience required; selection is based on a holistic review of your interest in neuroscience and motivation to learn, making it an accessible option.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) campus, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $4,500
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students enrolled in San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) or SF charter schools
The UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) High School Intern Program is a fully funded, eight-week paid research internship at UC San Francisco. You will be matched with a UCSF scientist mentor who will guide you through an original biomedical research project involving neuroscience and neurological disorders. You will attend weekly meetings with SEP staff to develop science communication skills, including writing a research abstract, delivering a 10-minute oral presentation, and presenting a science poster. You will also have the opportunity to build professional networks through interactions with UCSF scientists, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Two weeks in June
Application Deadline: Applications typically due in early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and rising college first-years
The Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce rising high school students to careers in mental health. Sessions are led by a diverse group of mental health clinician-scientists, including licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists, who will demonstrate their daily professional work and answer questions about career pathways, educational requirements, and day-to-day responsibilities. Through the program, you will gain exposure to psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry, making it a strong introductory program to consider.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: None
Dates: June 8 – July 9
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old
The High School Internship Program at Barrow Neurological Institute has been offering hands-on research experiences to high school students for over 20 years. You will participate in laboratory research using technology, working with Barrow specialists on projects potentially spanning Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, neurodegeneration, and related conditions. You will attend physician-led seminars, technology workshops, and a career panel event to hear faculty, medical students, and graduate students share their experiences and expertise. You will develop core scientific skills, including evaluating scientific literature, using advanced research techniques, and presenting findings.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, only 24 students accepted
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost: Fully funded
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who live and attend high school in Northern California and are from low-income and/or first-generation college backgrounds
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a tuition-free five-week enrichment program for low-income and first-generation high school juniors in Northern California. Your time will be divided across a hospital internship placement at Stanford Hospital, anatomy practicums, laboratory coursework in health and medical science, public health research lectures and a group public health disparities research project. You will get to engage in hands-on departmental activities, shadowing, patient interaction, observation of clinical practice, and also benefit from college access workshops covering financial aid, applications, and career pathways in medicine. You will be mentored throughout the program by Stanford faculty, health professionals, and undergraduate program staff, and you will continue to receive mentorship support beyond the summer. While this is not strictly a mental health program, its focus on mental health and social determinants of health is integrated into the public health curriculum.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, approximately 12% of applicants accepted
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA. A virtual option (CNV-X) is also available
Cost: $1,725 for virtual, $3,325 for in-person. Scholarships are available for students who demonstrate financial need.
Dates: July 6–17 or July 20–31 for in-person, June 8–19 or June 22–July 3 for virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling until March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors
CNI-X, hosted by Stanford University's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is a 10-day program introducing you to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through seminars led by Stanford faculty and researchers. You will explore topics such as clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, circadian rhythms, autism spectrum disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and the intersection of AI with neuroscience. You will also engage with content relevant to your own development, including self-care strategies and professional and career pathways in medicine and science. A central component of the program is a small-team capstone project in which you will collaborate with peers to develop a novel solution to a real-world social issue related to mental health or neuroscience, then present your work to classmates, faculty, and family on the final day. A virtual version of the program (CNV-X) is offered for students unable to attend in person, with the same curriculum and faculty.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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