OK Today is working to reach 1 million young people ages 18 to 25 over the next 3 years
Today marks the official launch of OK Today, a youth-driven, global collective on a mission to transform how the world sees and talks about mental health. The launch comes ahead of the 2025 AFS Youth Assembly in New York City (August 8-10), where OK Today will take the stage as part of the Assembly’s first-ever dedicated program track on youth mental health.
“For the first time, youth mental health will have its own program track at the AFS Youth Assembly program,” said Yumna Khan, Director of the AFS Youth Assembly & Strategic Youth Initiatives. “Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Defying Adversity: Empowering Young Global Citizens to Lead,’ this track highlights how today’s turbulent world impacts youth mental health and equips young changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and support to lead conversations, challenge stigma, and build resilient communities.”
Why Now?
Globally, 1 in 7 youth live with a mental health condition1. Yet, stigma persists. Four in 10 Gen Z report feeling judged or misunderstood when talking about mental health at school or work2. While 1 in 3 want to support peers, nearly half don’t know where to start2. In the U.S., young people are more likely to turn to peers than adults, but 70% say they don’t feel equipped to help3.
Our Focus
OK Today is a peer-powered platform that encourages everyday conversations about mental health. We believe everyone deserves space to show up as our authentic selves, whether we’re OK or not OK, and know that is OK. OK Today a movement to build connection and normalize open dialogue through educational tools, workshops and peer-to-peer groups. Our goal is to reach 1 million young people (ages 18 to 25) in the next three years through online and in-person activations.
OK Today is built on the belief that young people should be leading the mental health conversation. We are guided by a Youth Advisory Board and co-created by Global Gateway Advisors and the AFS Youth Assembly.
First Activation
The movement kicks off with its first activation at the 2025 AFS Youth Assembly, where Active Minds, a peer-to-peer education advisor to OK Today, will lead an OK Today-sponsored session based on its A.S.K. (Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch) framework, developed in partnership with SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios. This evidence-based model teaches young people how to support peers through everyday conversations.
“At Active Minds, we believe real change starts with community and we’re excited to see the conversation around youth mental health expand,” said Laura Horne, Chief Program Officer at Active Minds. “We know the world needs more youth-led mental health action, and together we’re championing a new era of mental health.”
What’s Next
Following the launch, OK Today will expand through local partnerships and OK Today activations in key global markets. These events will train youth ambassadors to lead mental health conversations in their communities, fostering a culture of openness, empathy and peer support.
Get Involved
We are seeking people, partners and platforms from around the world to join us. Follow OK Today on Instagram and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the OK Today newsletter for updates and insights. Share your story. Spark change. Be a part of OK Today. Learn more at OKToday.org.
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