We Are The Legacy: Commemorating 21 Years of Active Minds Active Minds is a movement, a community, and a testament to what can happen when individuals come together to prioritize mental health. As someone deeply connected to its mission, Active Minds is a part of my identity, my journey as an advocate, and my experiences as a student. Reflecting on the 21 years since Alison Malmon founded the organization, I am reminded of Active Minds’ continued mission: to change the conversation around mental health. At a young age, I was faced with an experience that changed my life, and I had to grow up suddenly with no support system. It was a loss that left me searching for understanding and connection. Like many others, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of mental health challenges, let alone how to address them. I started my mental health journey in my freshman year of high school, creating a chapter of Active Minds during the isolating COVID-19 pandemic; it was my way of seeking answers and helping others who needed the same safe space. Through this organization, I found my community and my calling. Active Minds’ emphasis on advocacy, change, action, and support helped me learn and pass that on to my community. It taught me that vulnerability is strength, that sharing one’s story can inspire change, and that advocacy isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about creating tangible, inclusive resources and support for those in need. Advocacy became more than a hobby; it became intertwined with my identity. Whether organizing events to normalize conversations about mental health, collaborating with local leaders, or listening to my peers who felt unseen, my work with Active Minds gave me purpose. These efforts demonstrated that even small actions — a tabling event, a social media campaign, or a heartfelt discussion — could spark meaningful change. That, ultimately, the real power lies in how these stories resonate and inspire others. Sharing experiences creates a ripple effect of change by breaking down stigma, encouraging vulnerability, and fostering empathy. For me, Active Minds has shown me that we are never alone in our struggles. Active Minds taught me the value of storytelling in advocacy. Sharing my lived experience became a way to normalize vulnerability and help others feel less isolated in their struggles. The organization empowered me to use my voice in spaces where silence is heard. Active Minds taught me that my voice holds value, serving as one of many important perspectives in the conversation. It showed me that we can create massive change when we come together. Over the years, Active Minds has proven that young people have the power to lead cultural shifts. The hundreds of chapters across the country represent more than just groups of students. Instead, we symbolize a collective commitment to vulnerability, advocacy, and support — traits that will define our generation. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked with Active Minds in several capacities — Student Advisory Committee, Active Minds Student Ambassador, Your Voice is Your Power Campaign, Chapter President, Chapter Founder, Award Winner, and Panelist — and this is just the beginning, as we continue to work to change the conversation through sharing our experiences. As we celebrate 21 years of Active Minds, I am deeply grateful for the organization’s role in my life and its broader impact. Active Minds continues to be a beacon of hope, showing us that mental health advocacy is not a fleeting trend but a movement. It embodies a legacy of resilience, compassion, and belief in the power of young people to change the world. I am proud to be part of this legacy and look forward to seeing how we at Active Minds will continue to change the world.
Prioritizing Mental Health After Tragedy with a School-Wide Mental Health Field Day: From the Advisors From the advisors (school counselors): Kaitlyn Robichaud and Courtney Selig This blog was written by Whitman-Hanson Regional High School’s Active Minds advisors about their experience supporting student-led efforts to advance mental health in their community. This is the second of two pieces sharing the story of these students’ advocacy. To read about this journey/story from the perspective of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School students, click here. After coming off of one of the most challenging experiences you can have in a school, the loss of a student to suicide, we knew there needed to be something different. But what? In an amazing moment of coincidence, at the start of the school year a few students came down to the school counseling office saying that they wanted to start a new club at school to focus on kindness and mental health awareness. Talk about “great minds think alike!” We all got to thinking and then our athletic director let us know that he invited Jim Johnson from the Kyle Cares Foundation to come and talk to the administration at the school to provide insight on the different initiatives available to support mental health in schools, and invited us to attend as well. KyleCares, The Kyle Johnson Foundation, provides grants to schools in New England to start an Active Minds Chapter. This partnership between Active Minds and KyleCares has supported the growth of many chapters in the region. During this presentation, Active Minds stood out and we petitioned the superintendent to let us write a grant to start a chapter. There was hesitation at first, was this “too much too soon,” after such a loss, but with the trust in his staff, he gave the go ahead and we instantly got started on the grant funding opportunity. In the very near future, we heard from Kyle Cares that they accepted our grant proposal and were going to help us get our Active Minds Chapter started! The students were thrilled and we instantly got started. Through the brainstorming process of what we wanted to accomplish for the year, one of the main goals was to advocate for a mental health day. Not just a day off, but a day to “disconnect to connect,” and have some “old school fun.” The students explained it in a way that made sense, just because we are in high school doesn’t mean we don’t want to have fun, we miss the elementary school days of looking forward to field day and “playing” with everyone for a day. So why not bring that back? In order to make it happen, we knew we would have to show the how and the why. We presented twice at the school committee meetings. Our first presentation was to inform the school committee members, as well as the community, who we are, why we started this chapter, and outlined some of the goals we had for the school year. This also included showing one of the PSA videos the students had created and shared school wide to create a more positive, help seeking school culture. The school committee was in full support right away and asked that we come back again later in the year to present again, and to let them know how they can be of help/support. We accomplished so many things along the way: PSA videos, mental health awareness nights at sporting events, welcome sign Wednesday, pocket hugs, fundraisers and more. We started having Active Minds “family dinners” as a way to connect outside of the school day, in a comfortable setting in order to navigate more challenging conversations. Our first focus was on grief, everyone was still going through it and there was a lot of challenge in the school going through the “year of firsts” without their friend/peer. In a way to connect on a different level, the students invited not only staff, but the superintendent to attend these dinners and be part of the conversation. Not only did some staff attend, but the superintendent came, shared, listened, and was by his own account, “blown away.” After this we attended the annual KyleCares Conference and were inspired by their keynote speaker, Frank Warren, author and creator of PostSecret. We created our own Whitman-Hanson version of PostSecret: the mental health version, and students would share their “secrets” in regards to their experience with mental health. We created a video to share with the school committee. After showing our video, the students advocated for themselves, explaining that mental health is a priority, that we need to continue to support it and that this video was only a snippet of 8 stories from students. Can you imagine if every student, and staff, shared their story? After multiple meetings, presentations and brainstorms, and after seeing the overwhelming support from the school committee, we presented the idea of a Mental Health Field Day to our high school administration. This was given the “go ahead” and the administration began supporting and helping with the planning process. Once there was an outline of what the day could possibly be, we presented it to the superintendent. “Yes. Let’s do it. It will be bumpy and challenging, filled with positive and negative, acceptance and resistance, but everyone needs this, students and staff, so let me know how I can help and what we need to do.” Let’s go! We are the Panther’s, so we presented the staff with the challenge of presenting some of their “Panther Passions,” that they could share with the students. This came with a survey they completed with some of their favorite passions, things they could do during the Mental Health Field Day with students in order to connect on a different level doing something they love. The array of options we were able to present to the students was nothing less than incredible. There was something for everyone: Mental Health Field Day Activities Lawn Games (Ping Pong, Cornhole, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, and more!) Organized Team Games (Kick Ball, Wiffle Ball, Football, Soccer) Outdoor Adventure (Walking, Hiking, Fishing, Camping) Music (Songwriting, Singing, Playlists, Playing Instruments Gaming (Tabletop RPGs, Board Games, Dungeons and Dragons) DIY (Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Planting, Gardening, Refinishing furniture, Repurposing items) Self Care (Meditation, Drawing, Yoga, Journaling, Reading, Martial Arts) Craft Corner (Cooking, Crafting, Collages, Decorating, Calming Jars, Rock Painting, Puzzles) Video Games (just like the title says) Dunk tank (mental health fundraiser) Everyone. And I mean EVERYONE had an amazing day. “I have underestimated your ability to make an impact. Today was an outstanding day. Each student I spoke to was having a great time with peers and staff members. Because of your efforts you made today a memorable day for the students of WH. Thank you for going outside your comfort zone, participating, and supporting Mental Health Day at WH, sponsored by Active Minds and the Counseling Department. I am proud to be the Superintendent of such an amazing, versatile, committed, ( I could go on and on) team.” “Thank you for all your effort for today. It really was a great day and I already can’t wait to plan an activity for next year!” “What a great day. Thank you for making it happen.” "Yesterday was so fun! We need to do that again. It was fun, there was a lot to do, it wasn't crowded at the activities, and it was just so much fun.” “Thanks for making this happen! I had a good time and I forged bonds with some sophomores who I may have next year!!! Thank you!” “I don’t think I looked at my phone once, I love that, it was so fun” “Can we do this more than once a year, what a feel good day. I feel refreshed and happy.” “This is why I went into this profession, days like today, it made me remember why.” “It was fun and flexible. I loved trying new things, meeting teachers I normally wouldn’t have, feeling like we were trusted and just enjoying being off my phone and hanging out with my friends.” “It was nice not feeling like I had to stay home from school if I needed to focus on myself and my mental health. This kept me busy and feeling happy and distracted, if I was home I probably would have been bored or in bed.” If I could share all of the feedback it would write a book! But for now, this was our journey and how we made it happen. Everyone is already geared up and ready for “Mental Health Field Day 2.0.” It has been designated by the superintendent as an annual event moving forward.
Active Minds Celebrates Surpassing 1,000 K-12 Schools in 1,000 Days: A Historic Milestone for Youth Mental Health We are beyond excited to announce a historic milestone in Active Minds’ journey: we’ve surpassed our goal of reaching 1,000 K-12 schools in 1,000 days, and we did it months ahead of schedule! Each of these K-12 schools joined our mental health movement by bringing Active Minds to their school, demonstrating a prioritization of mental health in their communities. This achievement marks a monumental step forward in our mission to transform mental health norms in schools and communities across the nation. As the leading nonprofit that mobilizes youth and young adults to drive meaningful change in mental health, Active Minds tirelessly works to reach students, educators, and administrators where it matters most. From launching chapters and clubs to distributing valuable curriculum and resources, each effort creates a ripple effect, strengthening mental health support within schools and beyond. A New Era of Mental Health Advocacy This accomplishment is about so much more than simply hitting a numerical target; it's about equipping the next generation to become advocates for mental health in their schools and communities. And with mental health struggles on the rise among youth, our work is more urgent than ever. Nearly 40% of students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and youth from marginalized communities face even higher risks. But we are committed to doing something about it. With every school, every Active Minds Chapter, and every resource we bring to the table, we are building a future where mental health is prioritized and every student feels supported, safe, and able to thrive. What we’ve achieved thus far is only the beginning. “Exceeding reaching over 1,000 schools in 1,000 days is a significant milestone, and it’s just the beginning.” — Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director, Active Minds The realization of this milestone would not be possible without the efforts by the educators, administrators, and community leaders who’ve partnered with us and our incredible supporters like the United Health Foundation, Humble Bundle, and Flourish Arbonne Foundation. Their unwavering commitment has made reaching this goal possible. More Than a Number: The Significance of 1K in 1K Lauren Cikara, who has been at the helm of our efforts to reach 1,000 K-12 schools, shares her thoughts on this milestone: "Watching our vision come to life over the past few years has been incredibly rewarding. We knew that connecting with K-12 schools and offering accessible, impactful mental health resources would be key to creating lasting change. To see this goal achieved so quickly speaks to the deep need and desire for mental health education and advocacy in schools. But, even more, it shows how dedicated and passionate the students, educators and administrators are who have supported our work. This milestone is theirs as much as it is ours, and I’m excited to continue the journey with them to create even more opportunities for students to engage with mental health resources and become advocates in their own right.” Active Minds is marking this milestone by sharing the voices of change-makers, including students, staff, and more. Hear firsthand as they share their experiences and what realizing the goal of 1,000 schools in under 1,000 days — and doing it ahead of schedule — means to them. Looking Ahead: Continuing Active Minds’ Impact We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with all of you — our community of educators, students, and mental health champions. But as Alison said, this is just the beginning. Together, we’ll continue to expand our reach and support even more youth in advocating for mental health. We invite all students, educators, administrators, and community leaders to join us in this movement. Together, we can create a future where mental health is prioritized and every student has the resources, support, and courage to thrive. Join the Movement: To learn more about how you can get involved, visit Active Minds.
Remembering Brian: Twenty-Five Years Later At twenty five years, it’s about all the things he has missed. It’s the longing for everything that didn’t happen, the things that couldn’t happen, because he’s no longer here. Grief has been a strange road, one that cannot truly be explained. It started with being all-consuming, a disbelief that this stage in life was even real — that he was gone. That once I had a brother and now I didn’t. It was unpredictable, it took over all of me. The emotional roller coaster would come in waves, moments of being able to regain control of thoughts were shadowed by stretches of utter emotional chaos. What had just happened, and how would life continue? But, somehow, life continued. By year ten, with the work I was doing with Active Minds, grief began to take a different shape, mostly now just missing him. Missing his humor, his insight, and his partnership. His voice. Getting used to navigating life and family as an only child. And at the same time, getting through daily tasks and putting one foot in front of another. It was working everyday to learn to live life fully again, even in the shadow of my loss. And today, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of my brother Brian’s suicide, the ache is for everything he has missed. The things he will never do, the pining for things that never could be because he simply is no longer here. I wish I could call him up and hear his voice again, knowing that the person on the other end of the phone got me, understood all of me, like only a sibling can. I wish I had someone with whom I could reminisce about childhood memories we shared. I really wish he had met my now husband, been around to watch my kids grow up, and been with me as I have had to navigate family members' unraveling and going through additional loss. I wish I had nieces and nephews, and we vacationed together to give the cousins their own memories to share. It’s impossible for me to believe that he never experienced cell phones, or the tragedy of 9/11. And that he missed out on seeing the D.C. football team finally make it back to the playoffs this year. While I have all of those moments, life at twenty five years also looks like being able to genuinely smile at things I know he’d appreciate. Laughing with childhood friends as we remember funny teenage times with him. Feeling a touch of relief knowing the things that once would have bothered him no longer can. Knowing that he made my life better because I was lucky enough to know him. It looks like confidence in how to show up for people when they experience their own loss, because I know what worked for me — and what didn’t. It looks like resilience, finding strength to endure the things that seem unbearable because I’ve been through the worst already. It looks like knowing yourself and appreciating what you have because you know what rock bottom feels like and have come out on the other side. It looks like life being lived. A handful of years ago I heard a parent speak about the loss of his child, and how, although no grief is ever comparable, the impact on the remaining sibling was just as profound as it was on him. The sibling had a whole lifetime ahead of them, he explained, while as a parent, he had just a few decades left. That statement struck me deeply because never until then had I heard sibling loss recognized with that level of gravity. It’s hard to explain the feeling of losing the person who learned life alongside you, the only person who really could ever understand you fully. The longing for what could have been, had we had the chance to grow old together. And yet, life keeps moving forward, and in that forward motion, I’ve found the strength to continue. Life isn’t the same, but it is happening. I may not have the people and experiences I once imagined, but I feel so lucky for the work that fulfills me so deeply, and relationships and lessons learned that have enriched my soul. And as I reflect on all of this, I smile thinking that Brian would be pretty proud if he was here to see it all today. If you would like to honor Brian's legacy and make a lasting impact to support Active Minds, make a donation to Active Minds today.
