Communication scholar Zane Landin, and 29 young mental health activists from across the country, have been selected by MTV Entertainment to participate in the first-ever Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House.
During the two-day forum in May, MTV's inaugural cohort of youth activists will get the opportunity to present their innovative ideas to media and technology professionals, elected and government officials and nonprofit executives to help develop compelling, action-driven, creative campaigns.
The Forum will also include skill-building workshops, creative brainstorming sessions, and a program featuring senior officials from the Biden-Harris Administration.
Before the Forum, the cohort will participate in a six-week facilitated program to identify mental health problems prevalent in their communities and work collaboratively to develop a media campaign that inspires and motivates their peers to take action.
"As a person who experiences mental health conditions and lives as a proactive advocate, being selected for the Mental Health Youth Action Forum means the world to me," said Landin. "I never thought in a million years I would be invited to the White House to advocate for the mental health community."
Landin's creativity, passion, and dedication to mental health helped his application stand out from the hundreds of applications MTV received and secured his spot in the cohort.
While at Cal Poly Pomona, Landin has shown a deep commitment to mental health and civic engagement by serving in several leadership roles for numerous organizations-including president of Active Minds, president of Sources of Strength Suicide-Prevention Program, vice-president of the Access and Disability Alliance, and executive director of the Multicultural Council.
During the pandemic, Landin saw first-hand the toll it took on his and his peers' mental health - so he decided to take action. In May 2020, he combined his passion for storytelling and mental health to create an uplifting community-based digital publication, PositiveVibes Magazine. Earlier this year, he established a public relations agency specializing in mental health, Landing Dreams PR-and now, he is headed to the White House to continue his advocacy journey.
"This opportunity shows that my work is meaningful and actually impacts people. I hope to become a better advocate and leader coming out of the forum," said Landin.
Landin is currently earning a communication degree focusing on public relations and interning at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a universe public engagement intern.
To learn more about MTV's Mental Health Youth Action Forum cohort, visit www.mentalhealthishealth.us/youth-action-forum.