Being involved with this organization has empowered me to advocate for mental health on my college campus. I attended their mental health conference this past summer and was able to learn about mental health advocacy in so many impactful sessions while networking with other mental health advocates. The national staff were actively engaged with attendees, and we were able to talk through some of our chapters' ideas and challenges at lunch, which was so helpful. I couldn't recommend this fabulous organization enough!
Active Minds has played a crucial role in my decision to enter a mental health profession. I've been a member of my chapter for the past 2 years and have seen Active Minds' dedication to fostering conversations about mental health firsthand. This organization is actively working towards eradicating mental health stigma.
Because of Active Minds, I feel comfortable talking to my peers about mental health and confident that I could help a friend who is struggling. Active Minds has had a visible presence on my university's campus, sharing resources and hosting events that make conversations about mental health approachable.
I was an intern for the Active Minds organization for the Fall 2024 Semester as a Community Programs Intern. My time here has been incredibly valuable. I learned so much about the nonprofit space and mental health work. Active Minds truly works hard to stay aligned with its mission of mobilizing young people in the mental health space through its various programs, such as the Speakers' Bureau and Send Silence Packing campaign. I am eternally grateful for the privilege of working with such passionate people doing such substantial work in mental health.
Throughout my internship program so far, I have witnessed the dedicated work that Active Minds does. It's clear that all members of the team feel personally passionate about mental health advocacy, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for their mission-driven work.
I attended the Active Minds Conference this year and the experience was tremendous. In a time when the news seems to always be challenging it was so encouraging to see hundreds of young adults dedicated to helping other young adults. Active Minds programming is tremendous and truly driving a difference in the mental health of our youth.
My time with Active Minds has been extremely positive. Active Minds is composed of Team Members that are fully devoted to its mission to change the conversation surrounding mental health. With products like A.S.K. and Cause + Career, Active Minds' work helps youth and young adults ages 14-25 to become advocates and leaders. My time interning at Active Minds has shown me what it's like to work for a great nonprofit that cares what the demographic they are working to assist has to say.
Active Minds is strategically addressing the mental health crisis facing today’s youth and young adults, and the intentionality within their work is impressive. The organization's commitment to centering BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth in their work highlights their understanding of the differing norms about mental health across populations. I also really appreciate the peer-to-peer approach that Active Minds takes. As a college student myself, I know how daunting it can be to talk to adults or professionals about mental health for the first time, which is why I am so drawn to the mission of Active Minds in making those conversations more comfortable and more accessible.
Active Minds is a world class organization. I’ve had the privilege of volunteering with them for the past several years and am constantly impressed by their tireless efforts around mental health awareness, and their professionalism in executing their mission. They have been a driving force in “changing the conversation” on mental health, and continue to push themselves to greater heights with their recent expansion into K-12 schools as well as their renewed focus on enabling a generational change in how we address mental health.
I have spent the last four years volunteering with Active Minds and it has changed my life. I have met so many phenomenal individuals at events hosted by Active Minds and as a young adult the organization has helped me learn more about my mental health and ultimately get me through college. Everyone on the national team not only does their job well but truly cares about the organization and the people it’s supporting. Active Minds is truly a one of a kind organization.
Active Minds has been an integral part of my college experience, as the community that Active Minds creates through their chapters and national events such as Send Silence Packing is so impactful and important for those struggling with mental health and advocates. With the resources they offer being accessible to all students across the globe, it's evident that their efforts to open conversations about mental health help many young adults. The organization stands as a pillar for what the future of mental health for younger generations can look like, and inspires me and millions of other to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Active Minds has done so much for youth and young adults who are currently struggling with their mental health journeys. What most people do not know is that suicide is the leading cause of death for youth and Active Minds is helping combat that. By providing ample resources and creating chapter networks, Active Minds has been leading the way in destigmatizing mental health. I truly admire the work they are doing.
Interning at Active Minds has not only helped me develop professionally but has also given me the skills and confidence to speak about mental health in my community. As a young person, it is truly empowering to feel like my voice is being heard and to feel like a part of true change.
Active minds had a lasting effect on me. I am so grateful for their efforts in promoting health in ways that we don’t typically think about. Health is wealth, and that includes mental health! An amazing company with a beautiful and inspiring mission!
Active Minds builds community, and does leading work in the space of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. I am happy to have volunteered with them!
Active Minds changed my life. I went into undergrad undiagnosed and suffering with a mental illness. Active Minds was the first extra curricular group meeting I went to on campus and never looked back. Through Active Minds I was able to build leadership skills through serving on their e-boards, gain friends far and wide, and learn how to tell my own mental health story. Active Minds gave me the confidence to reach out for help and surround me with others when I had felt so alone in my mental health. I left undergrad diagnosed and have told my own mental health story on multiple platforms. Further, they surrounded and supported my family when we lost my brother in 2017 to suicide. You will not find an organization that is more passionate about their members as well as transparent on their impact. Through a third-party they have had Active Minds reviewed and it showed that Active Minds has made an impact on youth mental health and help seeking. They are also wide open to how their donations are raised, utilized, and transformed into multiple national events every year. Alison, the founder, I have had the pleasure to get to know on a personal level and she is the most inspiring genuine human you will ever meet. Their staff is also filled with the most passionate and diverse group of individuals working every day to bring awareness to a cause that has often been stigmatized and looked over. There are not enough words or thanks I could give this organization for what they have done for me. I am beyond grateful and lucky to serve currently on their inaugural Alumni Board.
Active Minds has empowered me along this transformative journey and encouraged me to enter the helping profession with the hope of supporting other young people to reach their full potential.
I have been with Active Minds for 4 years and it has been such a wonderful experience through all these years. They have wonderful mental health resources, staff, and chapter members/leaders. Working closely in this community has always provided me with support.
Active Minds is an organization that truly stands out for its dedication to promoting mental health and well-being. Their commitment to fostering open conversations around mental health issues and reducing the stigma associated with them is commendable. As I write this review, I feel compelled to express my gratitude and admiration for the important work that Active Minds does.
The variety of programs and initiatives offered by Active Minds is impressive. From informative workshops and events to peer support networks and mental health advocacy, they cover a wide spectrum of resources. This multifaceted approach ensures that they can effectively address the diverse needs and experiences of those dealing with mental health challenges. It's not just about awareness; it's about providing concrete solutions and support.
Active Minds' dedication to inclusivity and diversity is also worth mentioning. They recognize that mental health affects individuals from all walks of life, and they strive to create a space where everyone's unique experiences are acknowledged and validated. Their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the organization itself is a testament to their authenticity and understanding of the complexities of mental health.
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I worked with Active Minds a lot. I created a chapter of Active Minds at my school and I got a lot of support and help from the national office and staff. They were very helpful and supportive right at the beginning. Later, I became a part of their Your Voice is Your Power Ambassador program, through this I learned a lot about mental health and they really helped me advocate for my school. I also became a part of their Student Advisory Committee. Working with Active Minds, I grew closer with them and created bonds I will never forget. They are a one of a kind, inspiring, and the best mentor one could ever have. Active Minds drove me to want to be a better person and helped me help others. I am the president and founder of Active Minds Xavier, I am a Your Voice is Your Power Ambassador, and I am part of the Student Advisory Committee. I am a part of Active Minds and I am Proud to be.
Active Minds will always be dear to us. For over 12 years we have been monthly donors to this life-saving organization that is changing the conversation about mental health on college and high school campuses nationwide.
We first became connected to Active Minds when our daughter Sarah helped start a chapter on the Smith College campus. Chapter members are at the heart of Active Minds’ innovative, student-to-student model, which addresses the fact that most young adults are more likely to seek help from a friend than anyone else.
As their website describes, Each year, more than 15,000 students join or launch a chapter at their school to change the culture around mental health in their communities and inspire action among their peers. At this moment when young people across the country have themselves acknowledged the psychological challenge of responding to the aftermath of the pandemic, the trauma of climate change and the threat of global political instability, it’s more important than ever that we act boldly on their behalf.
Annie and I are proud to support Active Minds and the impactful work they are doing across the country. In our minds, Active Minds, is a Great Nonprofit! Annie and Mark
Active Minds is a wonderful organization that supports students and young adults in understanding and advocating for youth mental health policy, advocacy and awareness. My experience could not have been better, as I felt the programming was comprehensive and inclusive. Their staff is approachable and attentive, and I felt reassured that I was learning from people who felt passionate about the mission of the organization. I would definitely recommend their programming and curriculum to students who are looking to build on their knowledge of all things mental health!
Active Minds provided the backbone for our college campus to address mental health. Their curriculum was easy to implement and beautifully presented– the work that they're doing is extremely necessary right now.
I have been a member of Active Minds for nearly 3 years now. The organization does incredible work to raise awareness about the critical issue of mental health among young adults. As a leader of one of the local chapters, I am also immensely appreciative of the national team’s dedication to empowering individual chapters to take initiative and serve their particular campus communities.
Active minds does an amazing job at not only bringing awareness to mental health but supporting students to promote positive mental health on college and high school campuses. The primary goal is to help support positive mental health and aid in changing the conversation. It has helped me so much as a chapter leader knowing that the goal aligns so strongly with my own beliefs and that they are always available when we need them. Active minds is making a huge impact to bring awareness and change.
I've been working with Active Minds as a student leader for over a year now. Over the course of this time, I've had countless opportunities to share my voice and empower others through the welcoming community, K-12 programs, and media work. I cannot overstate how much Active Minds truly cares about and enables its student leaders and helps to change the conversation surrounding mental health as a whole.
For any further review, or to see examples of my work with Active Minds, reach out to me @datkidnamedjay on Instagram.
As a mom of three and a new college student/Psych major, I struggled to cope with all the changes. Once my counselor mentioned Active Minds and how I could start a chapter on my campus, I was excited, to say the least. I learned to open a safe space and support my peers in need; I realized that it is ok not to be ok and that while sharing my story was helping me heal, I could offer strength to those who didn't know how. Active Minds inspired me to continue serving and advocating for my campus and the mental health-related services. I am now part of their Student Advisory Committee and look forward to continuing to learn all the tools necessary to help my peers.
I am a part of one of the Active Minds National chapters as well as the Student Ambassador program and Active Minds deserves to be named a great non-profit. Their work reaches millions of people and has been instrumental in de-stigmatizing mental health. The national organization hosts incredible conferences and are very supportive of various university chapters with educational materials and mentorship.
Active Minds has made me grow as a leader, advocate, and friend. Starting an Active Minds chapter at my school was incredibly rewarding because of the mental health community I was able to create at my high school. From Kindness Events to mental health discussions, Active Minds was a great organization which connected students and their mental health stories!
Active Minds has transformed my college experience for the better. I came into college feeling isolated and lost due to my mental health struggles, but through the Active Minds' community, I found others with similar experiences and learned how to advocate for myself and others. As a chapter member and now president, I have even learned that mental health advocacy and research are things that I want to pursue as careers after college. This is truly all through Active Minds, and I could not be more thankful for this organization!!
There is so much I could say about Active Minds. I operated as a chapter president for three years, and in that time, many great things happened and many frustrations happened, as with any endeavor. The Active Minds National organization was so kind, as they sent chapters goodie boxes every year and tried to support us as much as they could. However, there were other areas that I felt they could’ve been a greater support - for example, charging $2000+ for an organization-sponsored suicide awareness event. Very few organizations can afford this - in three years of fundraising, my organization was still unable to get enough money, even with donations and applying for grants. Another positive, though, is that the organization leaders were extremely accessible, which helped a ton when I had questions. I think that overall this is a great group to be a part of. I learned a lot about leadership. I did events such as suicide awareness walks, self care sessions, and informational sessions about mental health.
Active Minds has been an absolutely amazing resource for me. When I started, I wanted to find people who were accepting of mental health and Active Minds easily became that for me. The Active Minds student clubs have really made me feel accepted for who I am and provided significant amounts of resources both on and off campus.
Active Minds is such a passionate and caring non-profit. They value the opinions of those they serve just as they value the opinions of those they work with. Overall, they are amazing people who change the ideas of stigma and mental well-being through hard-work.
Active Minds has taught me so much about mental health, how to reach out to and help others, and has given me so many wonderful friends and opportunities. I have met and discussed with people from all different backgrounds and regions, and learned things from them I never would have know about. This organization is truly valuable and makes the world a better place!!!
Active Minds has not only created a welcoming and supportive community, but they have also done so much to help college students like me educate themselves on ways to better our mental health.
Since joining Active Minds it has been one of the only places that I feel like I can be entirely myself and be vulnerable. It is a safe haven for everyone no matter what they are going through and is a place where I feel like I am understood and welcome. I will forever thank Active Minds for allowing me to have a judgement free zone for sharing how I feel and getting support.
My experiences with Active Minds as a chapter leader have been nothing but positive, and I've seen firsthand the significant, positive impact that this organization has on the mental health of adolescents and young adults. I've loved working with them and look forward to working with them more!
Active Minds has been more than just a nonprofit organization for me. This organization was what inspired me to seek help for my own mental illness and helped me understand that it is okay to reach out and ask for help. Active Minds has provided myself and other young adults with so many incredible opportunities and experiences related to mental health advocacy. I am forever grateful to this organization for changing my life for the better!
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Active Minds has given me the strength and courage to reach out and ask for help. It is because of this nonprofit that I was able to address my own mental health struggles and seek proper treatment for myself. Now, one year since leaving treatment, I am a proud chapter president of Active Minds and a member of the 2020-2021 Student Advisory Committee where we will be working diligently to help educate others on mental health, prevent suicide among college students, and smash the stigma behind mental illness. I will never be able to fully express how thankful I am to this organization, and I am looking forward to working with them in the future. - Kelly
The positive things I have to say about Active Minds are endless. I have loved leading my Active Minds chapter at my school. It has provided me a supportive community at school as well as nationally through the Active Minds network within my role in the Student Advisory Committee. My role in Active Minds has also helped me develop my skills professionally. The support from the Chapters team at Active Minds is exceptional. They have always been responsive and helpful in answering my questions and encouraging me to grow my chapter programming. The programming Active Minds provides is also great. I personally love the conferences Active Minds puts together; the student led webinars; and the supportive, positive, and encouraging Slack community. I have learned so much from this organization and made so many great friends along the way. Active Minds has a special place in my heart.
Active Minds has been so great in helping me learn more about the importance of mental health. They also gave me resources on how to help a friend in need and I am really thankful that I knew what words to say because I had to use it. Amazing people at Active Minds and they have such a supportive community.
Active Minds is the leading nonprofit on the topic of mental health and well-being for our young people, and I have so enjoyed working with their dynamic, thoughtful, and purpose-driven team. They truly care about the students, educators, and young people they serve, and I feel fortunate to have partnered with them these last several years. Their resources, programs, and speakers are first rate, and their initiatives are helping educators and professionals change the conversation about mental health. The team at Active Minds have helped foster important discussions about mental health on high school and college campuses across the country and world, and they are a force for positive change.
I began interning for Active Minds this summer and have loved being a part of a team that does so much good for communities across the country. Not only has the positive work environment made for an enjoyable learning experience, but it feels very rewarding to do work that is helping people find resources and support in their mental health journey. Before becoming an Active Minds intern, I attended a speaking event as a student at the University of Delaware that made me feel better prepared to start conversations about mental health on my campus, so it has been exciting to help provide those same experiences for others.
Hi, i am here in Rwanda, i am ex psychiatric user, here we are stigmatized, raped beaten......., we tried to create an association to advocate our rights, we need an assistance to grow up.my email is promorwanda@yahoo.com, our association name is OPROMAMER, we need from you a technical assistance, here no one is interested, even our families , we are alone, suffering,......many of our members die every day, we are not considered in society, only to discriminate us
Active Minds has changed my life and the lives of so many others. As a volunteer, I have met the people behind this wonderful organization, who are addressing an issue that few people are talking about. Active Minds is ensuring that mental health is valued on school campuses and communities across the nation. It is changing the way that we talk about mental health and creating an inclusive community that makes sure that no one is left behind.
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I discovered Active Minds this past year when I was looking to start a club focused on mental health. Addressing such a relevant and huge topic as mental health can be intimidating, however, Active Minds provided our chapter with everything we needed. They give their chapters resources while also letting them thrive on their own. Furthermore, the sense of community created with nation-wide chapters makes you feel welcome and empowered. I believe this community is what makes Active Minds special and I am confident in saying that this organization has changed my life.
While I've only been a part of Active Minds for a year, being able to join the University of Central Florida Chapter has been one of the best experiences in my transition from high school to college. Not only did I get to meet a wonderful group of people who supported me throughout the fall and spring, but I had the chance to continue working on my passion for mental health advocacy. Being a part of my chapter helped empower me, despite being a freshman; and likewise, as I continue being a member, I want to support and empower others.
Active Minds empowers students to change the mental health culture on their campus, and as a member of my university's chapter, I have seen this first-hand. What enables us to bring about the structural changes we want to see surrounding mental health on our campus is the small yet amazing staff at the national office who are dedicated to offering support and encouragement. This organization has touched the lives of many, and I am so proud to be among its ranks.
I love Active Minds chapters! I have one on my campus and I love how we can express the way we feel. I think it nice to have other organizations on campus that focus on the mental health side of things other than just wellness. So happy active mind exists!
Active Minds is an incredible organization that works to change the culture around mental health. As someone who has worked as a youth advocate for a variety of nonprofits, I'm beyond impressed by the work that they do and all they have accomplished.
Active Minds has truly changed the conversation surrounding mental health. As a mental health advocate and Active Minds member at Santa Monica College, I truly see how our footprint has positively impacted students. Students are more willing to talk about their mental health and engage in workshops, events, and webinars. Together, we are creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable talking about a subject that is often not talked about.
Active Minds is the most amazing nonprofit. I am the President of UTSA chapter. They bring much needed attention to mental health and let others know it is ok to struggle but one thing is for sure you shouldn't have to pretend because you aren't alone in your fight. Active Minds allows for people who join it to be a part of tight-knit community much like a loving, understanding, non-judgemental family and that is something that the world needs very much. Active Minds a safe place where you can talk about anything good or bad on your mind while raising awareness for people who may not know about mental health and end the stigma.
Active Minds is a wonderful organization that provides ideas to help with better ones mental health. They also have resources for any age level
Active Minds has made a positive change to my thought process about mental health. It has provided me an opportunity to educate and advocate for mental health awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health. Active Minds has given me a new outlook on new ways I can help people struggling through mental health and learn that you are not alone.
Active Minds has blown my mind with the amount of work they put into supporting mental health in communities across the country. They have come up with so many creative ways to reach out to students and raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. I am proud to say that I am a part of this organization and I cannot wait to see what we will be able to so in the future!
The staff and students of Active Minds are passionate about mental health and it shows through everything they do! Students are able to establish chapters on their college or high school campus and Active Minds staff will support them in getting started and creating an effective and supportive chapter that serves the needs of their community. This year, our chapter of Active Minds attended the annual conference in D.C. and it was a wonderful and extremely informative experience for all of us. We felt as though we left the conference with more tools in our belt to support the mental health of our students on campus and with have done big things with that!
I have been working for Active Minds as a volunteer since September 2017. Active Minds is doing incredible work to de-stigmatize and change the conversation on mental illnesses on college campuses! Active Minds does a lot of great work with event planning, social media posts, and fundraising that really helps advocate for mental health support and really inspires us to be there for our peers and loved ones. Active Minds has a really great resource called VAR (validate, appreciate, and refer) that allows any person to help someone who is struggling or in a crisis. Active Minds aims to promote a welcoming and inclusive space for any individual who needs support and resources or wants to help work on the mission. Active Minds staff are incredibly receptive and supportive of new ideas, projects, events, and initiatives that volunteers want to lead. Active Minds volunteers are incredibly enthusiastic, passionate, and driven in working toward improving mental health support and resources on their own college campuses. Through Slack communication, Active Minds chapters can all reach out to one another, ask for or give advice, and congratulate one another in times of success. Ultimately, I believe that Active Minds is a wonderful non-profit organization that has a strong mission and team of amazing staff and volunteers!
I have been working with Active Minds since September 2018 and my experience from the start was nothing short of wonderful. The non-profit is constantly working to interact with students and campuses to continue to help with the individual activism of each campus. They have plenty of resources, events, and engagements that are easy to use and implement. Personally, I find that this helps a lot as each campus is different and requires different approaches to accomplishing the goal of removing the stigma from mental health and increasing access to resources on campuses. Besides these resources, major events such as the national conference are incredibly empowering and enlightening. I learned so much at this year's conference and left the event feeling more able to continue working on this goal on my campus. Overall, Active Minds is a great non-profit that is easy to engage with at different levels of interaction and with different needs.
I became involved with Active Minds this past year and attended their national conference in February. I felt immediately at home in a room full of strangers because of the nurturing and welcoming environment that Active Minds established. The staff is truly passionate about mental health and they inspire the same passion in all of their volunteers. My university's chapter of Active Minds provided me with a safe space during my first year at college. Through this nonprofit I have learned more about myself and the impact I want to make in the world than I could have ever anticipated.
Getting involved with Active Minds has not only helped me develop my personal identity, but it's also helped me realize where I want to go as I work towards a professional career. Through my work with Active Minds I've realized that Mental Health advocacy is something I want to pursue professionally, and that I work best within administrative and programming work. Had I not taken the leap and joined, I wouldn't have gained the support necessary to realize these things. Through Active Minds I've gained crucial perspective, and a sense of belonging I've never really felt anywhere else.
Since joining Active Minds two+ years ago, I have found an organization that I feel at 'home' in. Active Minds has been a constant support system for me on both the local level at my college, and the national level. Being an executive board member and attending the national conference are both experiences that could not be matched. Thank you Active Minds for making me and so many other people feel heard, appreciated, and validated!!!
Active Minds is dedicated to providing resources and educational opportunities for mental health in high schools and universities all across the nation. Active Minds helps students come together and use their voices as their power in bringing mental health awareness and resources to their communities. It provides students a safe space to learn how to respond when a friend is dealing with a mental health crisis by providing us opportunities to learn resources available and how to introduce these resources to our families and peers. Through Active Minds, students learn how to be advocates for our communities, how to be creative in our planning and execution of events, and the importance of taking care of our own mental health.
I knew nothing about Active Minds until I was informed by two faculty staff here on my campus and they've wanted to bring a chapter to our campus for almost two years but they couldn't or didn't know of any students to be willing to spread mental health awareness across our campus. Just learning about Active Minds, there's so much out there that they provide for many people. It's so great to have a chapter on my campus to spread mental health all around. It's definitely made an impact on my life and beyond just my life but others around me as well. I am super grateful to be a part of something so amazing as this.
Active Minds has worked tirelessly to help those all around college and high school ages, and never fail to support all kinds of people.
Active Minds has helped me find a community of people who are as passionate and devoted to raising awareness for mental health as I am. This organization has been "changing the conversation about mental health" through many different methods such as surveys, announcements, programs, speakers, and chapter networks. I'm so grateful to be part of such an amazing organization.
Active Minds, with its mission to reduce the stigmas surrounding mental health by focusing on young adults, has really changed my life for the better. The supportive community of stigma fighters never fails to amaze me with their efforts and creativity to bring change in the world through mental health advocacy. I am so honored and thrilled that they make it easy for everyone to get involved too. As the incoming President at our Active Minds Chapter at San Diego State University, I am so appreciative of the resources and spaces they provide for us to begin these important conversations; both while I was physically on campus and even being online due to COVID-19.
Active Minds has changed my life. This is a MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT! This community is full of love, empathy, inspiration, and kindness. Active Minds truly has changed my campus through education, research, and advocacy. Because of this non-profit, my mental health and overall well-being has improved significantly AND has changed my campus in so many positive ways. Here is the link to learn more about what my chapter has accomplished: https://activemindswhitewater.weebly.com/
I am the Secretary of UW-Whitewater’s chapter of Active Minds. I can’t even describe how incredible this organization is. The fact that we help others feel less alone makes my heart whole. Nobody deserves to struggle alone, and nobody should ever feel like they have nobody to talk to. Mental illness and suicide are real, and the world needs to talk about it. This organization is my absolute favorite organization that I have ever been a part of. I cannot wait to see where the future of Active Minds takes us. :)
Active Minds is a great resource in the mental health community. The organization helps connect students across the country and creates a channel where people can talk openly. I have always felt supported by Active Minds myself and I think the charity makes a significant change on college campuses.
Active Minds has been life-changing for my peers and I. One short year after the formation of our Chapter, Active Minds has revolutionized the way our student body approaches mental health, a much needed change. Active Minds is changing and saving lives of students across the country who may otherwise feel unheard.
Active Minds truly changed my life, and inspired me to turn my experience with mental illness into a drive to advocate for change. Peer-based advocacy guides my outlook on all areas of my life both personal and professional thanks to Active Minds. The staff are all incredibly welcoming, supportive, and empowering. National conference and programming are always wonderful, educational, and I want to continue my involvement with Active Minds even beyond college.
Working with Active Minds was a life Changing experience. The three months I spent with the team was filled with incredible times, I learned so much about mental health advocacy and how to really let people know you’re there for them. I’ll never forget what Active Minds has taught me and the affect it has had On my life.
As a former intern at Active Minds, I got to see first-hand the impact that the organization has on students across the nation, and even from around the world. I had the unique opportunity of interacting with these students via email and even in person at the Active Minds National Conference. The personal stories of these students were so moving, and the way that Active Minds played a role in mental health journeys of so many emphasized my pride and appreciation for the organization. The national staff at Active Minds is extremely responsive and reactive to changing times (especially as has been experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter activist movement), immediately offering ample resources and support for its student network. Passion, leadership, and sheer dedication to mental health advocacy among students and school counseling centers at colleges and high schools is just as prevalent; having observed the ways in which members of the Active Minds community are constantly looking out for one another speaks to the nurturing and effective nature of the organization. My experience with Active Minds has been nothing but uplifting, eye-opening, and promising of the future of mental health advocacy.
Kevin Briggs was very engaging with the audience. He made the speaking engagement personable and the audience was able to relate to his message.
Kevin Briggs was very generous with his time, was relatable, and shared so much personal and professional information that it drew the audience in.
-Active Minds Speaker Host
By using Pay it Forward, the speaker was able to provide first hand knowledge and experiences to the general public and college students.
-Active Minds Speaker Host
We hosted Pablo Campos, Active Minds Speaker. Pablo engaged the students right away with his warmth and humor. They related easily to his presentation and appreciated the interactive style he used.
Colleen Coffey, Active Minds Speaker, is such a lovely person who connected with individuals before, during, and after her presentation with such passion and professionalism.
Kevin Briggs was fantastic!!! Very easy to work with. Great information and skills were shared. He was open to attending several gatherings with students and staff once on campus.
-Active Minds Speaker Host
David Romano was fantastic and a really great fit with this high school population and its administration and staff. He was really well received by the all-school assembly and by the parents in the evening session.
Alison Malmon spoke at our campus and she was compassionate, articulate, informative, and inspiring.
Frank Warren of PostSecret and the Active Minds team were very easy to work with. Frank was engaging for our audience and related his presentation back to the mission of our organization.
We hosted Kai Roberts at our school for a mental health speaking event. Kai was very easy to work with throughout the process. We were able to check in, customize the presentation, and plan for a great event. Kai was able to engage with the audience with ease and authenticity. Kai was an excellent performer. His music was well received. His story was very engaging.
David Romano was an absolute amazing Active Minds speaker. He touched the lives of every single student in the assembly and encouraged many students to speak up and ask for help. His words help to start the conversation about mental health.
I can't thank you enough for one of your speakers coming to our school and I truly feel fortunate to have met them this past weekend. Thank you for coming and making such an impact on all who attended, myself included.
I’m so grateful for this session I can’t wait to bring this back to our entire organization. Thank you to the presenters and the panel members for sharing your experience. Appreciate this presentation and grateful there is an active minds organization! Great information on a subject no one wants to discuss, but we need to discuss daily. They shared so much good and easy steps to reach out to our students. Thank you!!!
-Active Minds Speaker Host
From a research perspective, I found that the Active Minds organization , is a nationwide program that works to reduce the stigma around mental distress particularly within college students. To do so, Active Minds chapters on college and university campuses throughout the country are engaging in different practices and creating more conversations regarding the issue. From a member perspective , I continuously see Active Minds practicing what they are preaching as an entirety . I can truly say that , the foundational message that Active Minds strives to share, is exactly what is being practiced on campuses such as my own . I have experienced this engagement through events and collaborations, conferences , Ted Talks from statewide influencers, Safetalk workshops, ect.
Active Minds is bringing changes in how we view mental health to colleges and high schools across the nation. From national campaigns such as Send Silence Packing and Stress Less Week, to unique discussions about specific topics within the scope of mental health, Active Minds creates safe spaces where students can know that they are not alone and help is available. Not only is Active Minds about spreading awareness, students can take on policy initiatives to change their campuses to make them more conducive to mental wellness. This is a phenomenal nonprofit, as it is tackling such a stigmatized topic in society that affects so many people.
Active Minds is a wonderful organization that allows college students to learn from one another about mental health. This organization is positively effecting thousands of students a day with the fight to change stigma around the conversation of mental health. Personally, I have grown so much due to this organization and their ability to educate students and the college community
I love being a part of Active Minds and connecting the student's in my college to mental health resources and information. Active Minds is reducing stigmas associated with mental health all over the country.
Being involved with Active Minds the past 4 years has honestly changed my college experience for the better. I found people who understood mental health and a movement that needs voices like mine to speak up. I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met through Active Minds.
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Active Minds has been an incredibly amazing experience in my life. I have found my purpose on campus, found some close friends, and most importantly gave me a voice to advocate for those who may be living in silence. I am more than grateful for this organization and I am so happy to be a part of it.
Active Minds is doing such important and impactful work. For so many years, mental illness had been dealt with quietly and anonymously. The organization is working nationally and on hundreds of college campuses to open a dialogue, normalize and create a network of support around mental illness and suicide prevention. They reach a broad audience with their creative, compassionate and accessible approach. I'm a proud supporter of their work and am grateful for the strategies they implement and the supportive culture they are building.
There is no other organization out there working so hard and so effectively to de-stigmatize mental illness on college campuses. It can literally mean the difference between life and death for so many of our young people. I am always so impressed with the organization's management and mission.
I have personally seen the incredibly positive effect Active Minds has in the world today and I am so appreciative of the work they are doing!
Active Minds is an incredible mental health organization. The work they do to combat stigma, advocate, and support those in need is saving lives every day-- I know because they saved mine. In the midst of a crippling depressive episode, I discovered Active Minds through a friend's recommendation. And, after months of despair, that’s when things began to change. Up until that point I had been completely hopeless and felt utterly alone, and Active Minds provided for me that community of understanding that my friends and family, try as they might, simply couldn’t. Had I not connected with Active Minds, and through it, gained access to a world that embraced and understood mental illness, I’m not sure how my story would have ended.
Active Minds gave me a place to go when I felt as though I belonged nowhere. I was vulnerable, terrified, and so close to giving up. But I reached out to them and they embraced me. They gave me a purpose. In a time when I was struggling to find meaning in anything, they gave me a reason to believe in myself and believe that I could, and would, get better. That I had value in this world. Because many of them had been there themselves, they absolutely understood what I was going through, and they knew I’d come out of it. And when you’re depressed, believe me– that kind of understanding is everything.
With the support of Active Minds, my incredible family and friends, and good medical care, I came out of that debilitating depressive episode, fragile at first but then stronger than before. Thanks to Active Minds, I learned how to fight. I learned (and continue to learn), through therapy, openness, and connection with others who’ve been there, how to take care of myself— how to recognize my own thoughts versus the depression, how to utilize my resources, how to be true to myself and accept who I am, flaws, illness and all.
Active Minds is, every day, changing the conversation about mental health, and in doing so, changing lives. It is creating a world where we can feel just as comfortable seeking help for mental illness as we would seeking help for a broken limb. A world where there is no shame, no stigma, no reason to feel so desperately alone. No reason to lose hope.
It has been 10 years since I discovered Active Minds, and to this day I remain heavily involved in the organization. I wholeheartedly believe in the work they do, and wholeheartedly believe that no one does it better. I've seen the organization grow and expand across college and high school campuses nationwide, and it warms my heart to know that so many young adults are benefitting from their services and mission. This organization is truly changing the world, and I'm honored to be one small piece of proof.
I joined the Active Minds chapter at my school during my first semester at college, and it has completely shaped my college experience for the better. I have become so invested in the organization and the mental health advocacy that they engage in- it's truly incredible work. I have only had good experiences with Active Minds- as a chapter leader, whenever I run into any issues, the national staff have been nothing but responsive, helpful, and friendly, and it is obvious to me that everyone in the organization is passionate about the work. The chapter network has expanded to over 450 chapters nationwide, and their reach on college campuses is so expansive that I have made connections on and off campus with people currently or previously involved with the organization. Active Minds has become one of the most prominent voices in mental health advocacy, and I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to engage with such a hardworking group of people to get the word out about reducing mental health stigma.
Active Minds is an exceptional non-profit that promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention on college campuses through work at the national level with policy and networking, as well as on the local level with chapters at universities across the country. It is a great cause for students to come together, share their story, and open the conversation at their schools.
Active Minds is an efficient nonprofit working with limited resources and yet making a tremendous impact beyond comprehension. It is filled with lovely, caring, wonderful people who are driven in making an impact through the nonprofit.
Active Minds has shaped me to be the person who I am today. Through this organization, I’ve connected with others who share the same passion and dedication to change the conversation around mental health. It has touched lives of most on my campus in Massachuessetts through tabling, social events, speakers, etc and changed them for the better. Many students on campus thank us for our work and involvement of Active Minds to educate the community because it means so much to them.
Active Minds has changed my life. It really helped me and my peers change the conversation around mental health and bring light to topics that desperately need to be talked about. I would not have the college experience that I had or be the person that I am without Active Minds.
I found Active Minds after going through mental health struggles of my own. I wanted to find an organization that worked towards ending the stigma associated with mental health. After browsing the internet, I came across Active Minds and fell in love with it. I loved how student-led it was and how close of a community I suddenly became a part of. Starting my own chapter and now being on the SAC, I am so grateful for this organization.
I found Active Minds at my community college as a non traditional student. It helped me to be a part of something and helped me to acclimate. This has been one of the most accepting and genuine group of people, and even groups of groups. It is a very rewarding cause to be able to be helped while helping others. Bringing awareness to struggling students and everyone, that there is help and asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.
Having an Active Minds chapter on my campus has changed my life for the better, for sure. Being part of this organization has not only given me the opportunity to do something meaningful and fulfilling and figure out that I want to pursue a career in helping people with mental health challenges, but also allowed me to enter friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime. Because what Active Minds does, beyond spreading awareness, is creating communities all around the US and a few places abroad. That's what is special about Active Minds. 10/10.
Active Minds has empowered me to use my voice to help others. Before Active Minds I felt uncomfortable talking about my personal mental health story and was unsure how I could be an advocate. When I became a member of my chapter of Active Minds at Penn State I learned that it can simply start with a non-stigmatizing conversation. Through innovative events such as National Day Without Stigma, Active Minds outreaches to thousands of students at campuses across the nation.
Active Minds has truly molded my college experience and my future aspirations in mental health field.
Active Minds has quite honestly saved my life. It has given me purpose and a passion. Mental health non profit work is what I've decided to go to college for and has become my career path. I owe everything to this organization that has helped me, my family, and everyone around me. From the founder to board members, everyone involved in this organization has been amazing, welcoming, and helpful. Five stars isn't enough to express how truly important and awesome this organization is!
Active Minds is a life saving organization! It is empowerment and unity. Society tells us not to talk about our mental struggles, but if we struggle in silence, we lose lives. I was struggling when I found Active Minds. Suddenly, the panic attacked, the darkness that I was feeling did not feel like my problem alone! I found friends who understood me and supported me. And I was able to help others. Active Minds is amazing because it respects college students as adults. We do not require that you get treatment or put one treatment above another. We bring all the information to the table and empower students to seek help for themselves and to help others. This compassionate, hopeful, inspiring organization is a model for non profits looking to help young people change the world and change their own lives!
Active Minds has been such a positive force in bringing about change on college campuses regarding mental health stigma. Active Minds Inc has always been responsive to the actual needs of college campuses and incorporating student feedback. I'm so happy to be a part of this organization and to have learned so much/met so many unique individuals over the past few years.
I have been with this organization for two years in high school and all of my college career. I am the president of my chapter, and am so proud to be a part of such an incredible organization. Active minds saved my life by providing me with a purpose and a way to help others while raising awareness for mental health and stigma. This organization is so important and has helped so many people since it's creation!
Active Minds is an extremely important organization and influences college campuses around the country! Active Minds chapters constantly are working to spread positivity and make sure students receive a better quality academic experience. They showcase the importance of mental health and are totally awesome! Active Minds chapters also provide students with all kinds of leadership opportunities and give students platforms to share their stories. My college experience wouldn't be the same without active minds!
I worked with Active Minds as an intern for two semesters, followed by currently serving as an Emerging Scholars fellow with them. Active Minds is amazing. They have helped me grow personally and professionally, and it is amazing to see what they do on college campuses. The chapters have so much support from the national office, and you can tell that it is because of this that the chapters thrive and truly make a difference on their respective campuses. At the national office, everyone who works there is passionate and determined to be the best they can be. Everyone lends a helping hand and is eager to push forward the mission of Active Minds both through their professional work and personal work. I feel so supported by Active Minds and am eternally grateful for all the amazing opportunities they have given me. Without Active Minds, the conversation about mental health on college campuses would not be as successful.
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Active Minds is truly amazing. They are passionate, informed, and exceed in the mental health world. Active Minds is empowering students to change the conversation about mental illness on campuses internationally. Interning at the national office was one of the best experiences of my life. The staff are so dedicated to the work they do and it shows- lives are being changed and saved daily by the work Active Minds does. I am so inspired by everyone I worked with and I'm excited to continue to be a part of the conversation that Active Minds helps foster.
Active Minds is an incredible organization that is changing the conversation around mental health. It's such a taboo topic, but yet is so important to every single person in the world. Through their chapters on campus, passionate speakers bureau, and thought-provoking programs, they really are setting a new precedent for the way in which we should be discussing mental health. The entire staff is welcoming and compassionate which makes them very accessible to ask for help. For anyone interested in contributing to the mental health field, I would absolutely suggest working with, or donating to, Active Minds!
As a chapter member turned chapter officer turned volunteer intern for Active Minds, I have had an incredible experience being a part of this organization. Working on the Chapters Team, I have seen first-hand just how much the Active Minds staff cares about each individual chapter and how hard they work to ensure every student is connected to all of the resources Active Minds has to offer. Even though my own chapter of Active Minds is very new to our campus (Tulane University), we have gained so much momentum and everyone on campus knows who we are. This is because we have received so much positive support from the Chapters Team, and volunteering for them this summer has just confirmed how much they truly care. Active Minds in an amazing organization for which I have so much admiration and respect.
Active Minds is an absolutely fantastic non-profit empowering college students to make a difference on their college campuses with a difficult subject matter, mental illness. They have worked tirelessly over the past decade to create programming that is effective and reaches students with a life-saving message and empowered their students on campuses to go further and develop even more programming. I'm so glad that Active Minds has been part of my college career and I know I would not be the person I am today without it. Active Minds has encouraged me to grow as a person and a leader and reminded me how important it is to take care of my own mental health at the same time.
I've attached pictures of students I've met from across the country, tabling activities I've done on my campus, and awards my chapter has won on my campus for programming we've implemented.
Active Minds effectively raises awareness about mental health stigma and gives students the tools to do the same on their campuses and in their communities. Where they go above and beyond, however, is in their empowerment of students to become leaders and gain transferable skills to make a difference in other social movements as well.
Active Minds has given students at SDSU a safe space to share and platform to educate others about mental health on our campus. Our chapter uses guidelines given to us from Active Minds Inc. to implement change. We work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health so that anyone in need of support feels that they are not alone, and ensure they feel they have the ability to get connected to the appropriate resources. An estimated 1,100 college students died by suicide last year and we hope that by our chapter being present on campus that we help to ensure every seat at graduation is filled. The main issues we raise awareness about are Suicide Prevention, Eating Disorders, Stress Reduction, Veteran awareness, and in general the stigma associated with mental illness and how it prevents getting people the help they need. After we host events on our campus, there are always students that give the counseling center a call who may not have before. We are making a difference and we couldn't do it without Active Minds Inc!!
Active Minds provides the much needed space for students on college campuses to discuss mental health issues. As the population most at risk for developing a mental health issue, it is imperative that students on college campuses be aware of and educated about mental health and mental illness. The work Active Minds does truly changes campus cultures, thereby saving lives and promoting greater health.
Active Minds has made an incredible impact on my life and that of others. As the only organization of its kind (peer-to-peer mental health education/support for college students) Active Minds is impacting a unique population in need of their work. I have been involved with Active Minds for 4 years now and plan to be for many more.
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Active Minds is one of the few organizations that focuses on the particular issue of mental health in college counseling students, and they enable their mission by engaging the very population they focus on. Through programs like PostSecretU, the National Speakers Bureau, and Send Silence Packing, Active Minds gives students visually engaging ways to learn more and begin a conversation about mental health. I have been lucky to be a part of Active Minds for 4 years and will continue to assist in their mission for many years to come.
This non-profit is extremely passionate about their their mission. It was evident how passionate the staff is about the mission of the non-profit. It was very inspiring and comforting to know that the staff believes in the work that they are doing. They also produce a lot of material/work especially for being such a small staff.
I have been a chapter member of Active Minds since I started college and have interned for Active Minds for two semesters now. They have helped me find my passion for mental health and achieve my goals in social work more than I have ever dreamed. This is one of the greatest nonprofits benefiting college students and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
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Active Minds has brought so much light into my life because I now know that I can share my struggles and openly discuss mental health with those who aren't as educated on the topic. Active Minds has definitely changed my perspective on mental health and I can't wait to share it with the rest of the world.
Active Minds nationally does great work reaching out to campuses all across the country. From the very first contact with them, they have been helpful every step of the way. It has never taken more than an hour or two to have an e-mail answered! Each encounter with the national office makes running my college chapter 1000x easier. The impact Active Minds is making on my campus alone is incredibly inspiring, and I am excited to see how Active Minds shapes the lives of young adults on the national level
Active Minds has helped me succeed as a college student by giving me leadership experience and a space to talk about mental health.
Active Minds helped me and so many other students at my college feel safe to speak openly about mental health. They helped provide us with materials and wonderful ideas to implement on our campus!
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Active Minds really values the work and input of the interns. You feel that the work you do will actually impact the organization. There is also the opportunity to learn from various departments and try new things. Everyone is very supportive and willing to teach and guide you.
I became involved with the Active Minds internship program as of spring 2016. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with a team of passionate and talented individuals, who genuinely care about their interns! I have learned so much about best practices and strategies to effectively start the conversation about mental health.
In each project, I see the time and dedication Active Minds has towards creating educational resources, coordinating speaker sessions, and engaging with student chapters to further their mission and vision: to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health. I am grateful to be a part of Active Minds!
This organization is great! I have been able to learn so much about mental health and allow my talents to shine through this organization. It allows me to help college students learn about mental health and make it more of a "normal" thing than abnormal like the majority of the population sees it now. I joined active minds because I lost a family member to suicide and it has allowed me to express my own story and be able to have an impact on the community around me. I am so thankful that active minds is a huge part of my like and my college career.
Active Minds works to eliminate stigma, raise awareness, educate, and prevent suicide on college campuses. Active Minds is an organization that changes the lives of college students. I am definitely one of those students. I become involved in this organization immediately upon entering college and wanted to be involved because of my passion for helping people and for mental health awareness. It became a kind of family for me where I could be myself without having to worry and advocate for other students, which is hugely inspiring. This organization and the support we receive as members of the organization is amazing; I feel like what I am doing to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and to raise awareness about mental health on my campus is extremely important. As one of the presidents of a chapter as well as a member on the Student Advisory Committee, I can attest to the energy and motivation of the staff and members of this organization, and I know that it will only continue to grow and prosper. I hope that others who haven't heard about Active Minds check out this amazing organization and support it. It has truly been an amazing experience being a part of this organization.
Active Minds spreads an amazing message and has started a movement on college campuses to de-stigmatize mental illness and mental health in order to promote a healthy environment where nobody feels ashamed to reach out for help.
The work that Active Minds does to change the conversation on mental health is so critical to helping people who would otherwise stay in the shadows. Active Minds chapters do more than just help their own members, they change their campus for the better and help everyone on their campus! From increasing funding to their campus counseling center to increasing awareness of college suicide through Active Minds' Send Silence Packing program, chapters have done so much to help so many.
Active Minds has personally helped me to increase my leadership skills, develop comfort with public speaking, and gain courage to reach out to others. Sharing my own mental health story has proved to be most beneficial in helping students to seek help for their mental health needs. Active Minds is the most important nonprofit involved with college campuses, especially during these trying times.
I serendipitously stumbled upon Active Minds' website on the one-year anniversary of my father's death by suicide. Starting a chapter on my college campus to advocate for mental health and suicide awareness has been the most fulfilling experience in my life. The national office works tirelessly to provide its 400+ chapters with creative ideas, resources, speakers, programs, and leadership opportunities. There are so many ways to shape, change, and save lives through Active Minds, and I am so grateful to be a part of this organization.
Active Minds is a group of a passionate individuals who are truly committed to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness and empowering those who live with mental illness to tell their stories. Their wide college chapter network provides important programming and resources for students who are facing increased pressure and a number of mental health issues. I was so happy to have the chance to volunteer with this organization and help them with their important work.
Before Active Minds, I never knew much about mental health except for the fact that no one wanted to talk about it. After working for the non-profit, I have gained a passion and self-awareness for mental health and everything Active Minds does. They really connect with students and teach them so much. They arm colleges and college students with the knowledge and programs to spread awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health. I am so proud to have learned about the organization and that I had the privilege to work with them.
I became involved with Active Minds at my college. Due to my past, I wanted to join an organization that was passionate about mental health advocacy. I began attending Active Minds' chapter meetings and events, which also included planning a few exhibitions. I came to see that Active Minds utilizes the student's voice in raising awareness about mental health. Students plan awareness events that open new conversations and create safe spaces. Mental health is seldom spoken of on college campuses, but Active Minds is beginning to change that norm. From the employees in Washington, D.C. to the students at the numerous college chapters, mental advocacy is growing and changing for the better.
Mental illness is a problem we take for granted too often but it is finally getting the attention it deserves thanks to the efforts of organizations like Active Minds.
Their mission to remove the stigma that exists around mental health in order to encourage those battling with mental illness to speak up and find support is now, more than ever, one that we must all work to accomplish as we see the increase in suicides taking place in college campuses around the country.
Working closely with Active Minds for the past semester has given me the privilege to help their exceptional mission and to see the positive effect that they have on hundreds of college students around the country.
Active Minds is not only admirable for their truly significant mission but for their admirable staff that works restlessly to fulfill it. They are always looking for innovative ways to reach their community and help chapter members have all the necessary resources to be successful. It is the feeling of family that truly makes Active Minds an exceptional organization. They take pride of the work they put together as a team and in advancing their mission as a group.
It is organizations like Active Minds that help bring forth the voice of those who can’t do it themselves. I have become a true fan of their mission and the hard work they put in everyday to make sure that their mission is achieved. Mental health is a cause that needs everyone’s support and helping Active Minds is the best way to contribute in the fight against stigma.
I have been a Board member and donor to Active Minds for almost ten years, serving as the organization's Treasurer for most of that time. I started serving on the Board when the organization was in its infancy; a staff of just two, a Board of five or six. Now the staff is more than a dozen and the Board has evolved to 19 dedicated professional leaders.
I have been most impressed over this past decade with Active Minds' incredible growth, financial responsibility and stewardship, and its widespread impact. Every dollar that is donated to Active Minds is carefully spent on the activities and programming that will touch the most number of people with responsible, supportive, and inspiring messaging. Through its mission to change the conversation about mental health, Active Minds is changing communities, and saving young lives.
I joined the Active Minds Board five years ago because my daughetr was struggling with some mental health issues and turned to Active Minds as a stigma-free environment where her issues could be understood and she would not be judged on the basis of her struggles. It helped her immensely, and contributed to her road to recovery. Active Minds is a "boots on the ground" organization which speaks through the student voice and is reaching some 150,000 people a year with messages of hope and understanding. It is truly a "movement" more than simply a non profit organization. Its byline is that it is "changing the conversation about mental health", and it is doing just that through it 8800 student volunteer at over 400 college campuses allover the US. I have been involved in numerous philanthropic causes over the last 30 years, and Active Minds is a nonprofit that is worthy of everyone'ssupport, as it is saving and improving the lives of thousands of young people every year.
Active Minds is changing communities on college campuses for the better and bringing mental illness out of the darkness of stigma. As someone who has struggled with a mental illness in college, I am so fortunate to see the work that Active Minds is doing across the country. I was afraid to talk about my mental illness and struggles because I didn't think anyone would understand. I thought people just wouldn't "get it" or would walk out of my life. I can say that in my experience, people didn't leave. They tried to understand. Active Minds is making that possible in colleges and universities across the country, promoting cultures that don't promote shame or blame, but rather they further acceptance and compassion. Mental illness and mental health are not things that people talk about, and mental illness is still highly stigmatized in college. My hope and true belief is that, one day, we will create an environment where no one on a college campus is afraid to ask for help, to talk openly about what they're going through or to be able to get the help they need. Without Active Minds spearheading this process on campuses across the country, this hope would be just a dream.
Active Minds, Inc. stands out as a non-profit due to their devotion and commitment to changing the overall perception of mental health. This organization highlights the power of mental health awareness, education, advocacy, and support in order to empower their students to voice their opinions and provide resources for those in need. Oftentimes people feel too ashamed or scared to seek out the help they need and Active Minds provides these individuals with the resources they need to get help. Information and knowledge is power and I vehemently believe that all of the programs, initiatives, and support that this organization have begun since it was founded has provided college students with the power to make a difference on their college campuses and I cannot wait to see the difference this org will make as time passes by. Active Minds is definitely a non-profit organization to watch as they make continuous strides in the mental health community.
I can personally state that on my college campus Active Minds is an excellent resource for students. They not only had a Send Silence Packing display that undoubtedly made people become more aware and knowledgeable about suicide prevention a few years back, but also have other programs for students to engage in. Each campus is different and has their own unique approaches, but I know my campus really loves the Therapy dogs that come around during midterms and finals! They really help us as mood boosters, which shows that this is organization doesn't just focus on suicide prevention and mental health issues, but also everything in between! Our own personal mental health should be constantly maintained and Active Minds makes us be aware that it's okay to put yourself first sometimes!
ActiveMinds is a unique and powerful organization that deserves more than most to be on the front lines. As far as non-profits go, ActiveMinds engages their community on a level that I feel most would envy. The organization notably weaves its passion and story into its events, drawing attention where it is needed most. As a mental illness advocacy non-profit, the ActiveMinds constituency runs deep. The organization has visibly saved countless lives in its processes, and could be on the fast track to a premiere mental health organization.
As a college student who has not only struggled with mental illness but also seen my campus devastated by a string of student suicides, I believe Active Minds is filling a need that is far too often ignored. By working directly with student chapters, the organization remains student focused, innovative, and meaningful on a peer to peer basis. Active Minds also has incredibly powerful programs partnering with people who appeal to youth, for example PostSecretU with Frank Warren and Born This Way Foundation with Lady Gaga. I look forward to seeing the mission reach more college students across the nation, and even the world!
Although I have not personally been affected with mental illness, reading the testimonials on their website has made me want to become a part of this organization. I admire their strong connection with college campuses across the US as well as in other countries. We do not realize how strongly suicide and mental illness effects college students if we have not gone through this experiences ourselves or with someone we love. By reading their testimonials you can see that they are truly saving and changing lives. I think that if there were more recognition of nonprofits such as Active Minds, less college students would be feeling alone and taking their lives. I look forward to volunteering with them in the future!
When I first heard about Active Minds, I felt an instant connection with Alison Malmon, her brother Brian, and their story. Then, I reflected on my personal college experience and thought to myself, “I wish this had been available on my campus!”
This organization seeks to fight the stigma that surrounds mental health and encourages peer discussion of the issues. I applaud their efforts and encourage others to get involved whether it be as a student chapter member, a donor, or a volunteer.
This nonprofit has the mission, focus, and dynamism to change the world.
Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit that focuses on suicide prevention, the destigmatization of mental health issues and the promotion of student advocacy at 450 colleges and high schools throughout the United States. Founded in 2003, the organization has more than 8,500 student volunteers who are creating more comfortable, open, and informed campus environments and palpably changing the conversation about mental health in America. Their peer education and anti-stigma campaigns address the astonishing fact that there are 1,100 suicides a year on college campuses – three every day of the school year – and more than 157,000 youth receive medical care for self inflicted wounds across the U.S. every year. As Thomas Insel, Director of the National Institutes of Mental Health has noted, because of “the innovative work of Active Minds, students know they are not alone in their struggles and that it is important to seek help….” Recognizing the prominent role that Active Minds has played in mental health outreach and suicide prevention, in June, 2013, when the National Conference on Mental Health was held at the White House, Active Minds was asked to provide one of its young adult spokespeople to introduce the conference and President Obama.