The Next Generation of Mental Health Advocacy – Exclusive Interview with Taylor Locke
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
Taylor Locke is an award-winning mental health advocate and acclaimed international speaker whose journey has defied expectations. Once on track to work on U.S. Naval Nuclear Reactors, Taylor’s path was dramatically altered by a series of life-changing events. From surviving profound trauma to shaping mental health policy and research on a global scale, Taylor has become a certified “expert by experience,” holding leadership roles around the world.
While still in college, they founded the Mental Health Week program, a student-led initiative that has grown into a large-scale community movement. Since then, Taylor has held many hats in the mental health field, including serving on the Global Mental Health Peer Network Country Leadership Committee, contributing to the PLOS Mental Health Journal’s Lived Experience Focus Group, and participating in the inaugural National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Next Gen Community of Practice, a U.S.-based national network of powerful young leaders in the field.
At the heart of Taylor’s work is a deep commitment to driving positive change locally, nationally, and globally. Whether partnering with grassroots organizations or influencing policy at the international level, Taylor is dedicated to building a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable world for all people navigating mental health challenges.
Taylor Locke, Mental Health Advocate
How did you go from nuclear reactors to mental health advocacy?
The short answer is trauma. The long answer is that life happens in mysterious ways and the path we’re meant to take isn’t always the one we had planned. I had a full-ride military scholarship through the U.S. Navy and was determined to work on nuclear reactors upon graduation. During my freshman year, however, I was sexually assaulted by my closest friend. This sent me on a tailspin of depression that resulted in me attempting to take my own life.
I was kicked out of school because of my suicide attempt and was later disowned by my biological family. It felt like I had hit rock bottom, but slowly, I was able to pick myself back up. I returned to school, and while on my journey toward recovery, I discovered my true self. Eventually I was medically discharged from continued military service due to my history with mental illness, but it was at that moment I decided to use my lived experience to help other people. I learned not to fight my mental illness but to embrace it.
What inspired you to create the “Mental Health Week” program?
Honestly, it kind of just happened. It started as a small effort between me and several fellow students to increase mental health programming at our school by offering events that promoted healing, connection, and education during National Mental Illness Awareness Week in the U.S. Originally it was just Active Minds, our school’s mental health club, but soon it had grown to nearly 50 organizations hosting events all across campus. It was amazing.
Unfortunately, going into 2024, the administration decided to cancel the program due to some internal politics. It was devastating at first, but we pushed onwards and expanded it into a community-based initiative in partnership with our local NAMI affiliate. That year, we held more than 65 events in collaboration with 11 other universities and over 100 organizations. This program would not be possible without the support of NAMI and Active Minds, but it was that student-led passion that kept Mental Health Week alive and allowed it to grow into what it’s become today.
At just 23, what is your secret to success and what advice do you have for other young leaders out there?
I don’t believe in secrets to success. Anyone can achieve anything they put their mind to. As far as how I’ve gotten to where I am now, I ask myself that a lot, too. I’ve suffered from imposter syndrome and have often felt like I don’t deserve to be here. I came to realize, though, my drive comes from wanting to help other people, so while I might not seek out the spotlight, I should use every opportunity I have to push for positive change.
My advice for other young people is this: don’t let anyone treat you like your perspectives or experiences are invalid. I don’t see myself as a young advocate, just an advocate that happens to be young. Sure, I might be the youngest person in a lot of the spaces that I’m in, but that doesn’t make any of my accomplishments less significant. You have a voice, you have power. Don’t let anyone try to take that away.
What future projects are you excited about?
I always have a lot of projects in the works. There’s, of course, my memoir that I’ve been working on for quite some time. It’s been so empowering putting my story on the page, and I can’t wait until it’s finished so I can share it with the world. I’m also starting to offer professional services, including nonprofit consulting and public speaking engagements. This has been a huge step for me in my career while still allowing me to support and inspire others.
One of the things I’m most excited about, though, has been taking on the mantle of “Captain NAMI”. Following in the footsteps of other mental health superheroes before me, my costumed persona allows me to become a symbol of hope, serving as a reminder to those who are struggling that they are not alone. We are all the heroes of our own story, and when we learn to rise above the stigma or whatever challenges we might face, then anything is possible.
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