Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of suicide.
Welcome to our awesome group of Active Minds interns! We’re so excited to work with them to continue changing the conversation around mental health.
Diya Basu
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Sammamish, WA (30 minutes outside Seattle).
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I’m a junior at New York University studying psychology with minors in child and adolescent mental health studies and global public health.
3. Which department are you interning for and what are you most looking forward to?
I will be interning for the Social Media Team! I’m really looking forward to developing my content creation skills and seeing what type of impact media can have on the greater cause to open up the conversation around mental health. I’m especially excited to make short-form videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
4. What is your favorite self-care activity and why?
My favorite self-care activity is drinking an iced latte in the park while people-watching. For me, coffee soothes my soul, both making it and drinking it. I love to pair it with people-watching because it’s a peaceful activity that doesn’t take a lot of energy after a long day. Plus, I love to gain inspiration from the fascinating lives of others!
5. Name your top three favorite musical artists.
My music tastes span a variety of genres but I rely on my 70s/80s classics like ABBA and Queen, and then more modern artists like Harry Styles. I just saw Harry Styles in concert about 2 weeks ago and it was life-changing!
6. What’s a hobby you wish you put more time towards?
I love to paint! When I have a lot of free time I paint with acrylics on mini canvases, but I don’t always have much time to do it. Lately, I’ve been inspired by Holly Warburton’s painting style. She’s a small art influencer with really cool prints.
7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In 10 years, I will have hopefully worked in the psychology industry for a while. I hope to mix my interests in social media marketing and psychology research to work somewhere in consumer research or marketing psychology. By then, I hope to have had an impact on opening up the conversation around mental health and influencing policy-making decisions. Maybe I’ll head to grad school in London afterward, as my long-term goal is to earn my Ph.D.!
8. What’s your dream vacation?
I’ve always wanted to visit France. I learned French for five years and have been waiting to go practice my language skills with the locals! Specifically, I want to visit the towns where my two favorite French professors grew up, as I spent years hearing their stories and writing down the best things to do in each town.
9. What’s an unusual habit/tradition/superstition that you have?
I always pick up lucky pennies on the street, no matter where I am or how inconvenient it is! I also make a wish on every single one of my fallen eyelashes.
10. How do you resonate with Active Minds’ mission?
As a child of Indian immigrants, I grew up in a South-Asian community where it was not the norm to speak openly about mental health. I wasn’t taught to express my emotions freely and didn’t know how to recognize my anxious feelings and behaviors. Over the years, I’ve done my own research and learning and have helped move my family to be more open about receiving emotions and recognizing others’ mental health struggles. While I’m lucky to have changed this narrative within my own family, not a lot of people in our community are able to do so. Many children of immigrants are raised to suppress their thoughts and keep their feelings to themselves. These behaviors become ingrained and they grow up to be adults who struggle with vulnerability and feeling closed off from others. This is one of many reasons why Active Minds’ mission resonates with me, and will continue to be something I contribute to throughout my life.
Maiya Caraway
1. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the beautiful Prince George’s County, MD (specifically, Upper Marlboro).
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I spent my undergraduate years at the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT) where I obtained my bachelor’s in psychology in May of 2021. Soon after that, I continued my education back at home in Maryland at Bowie State University where I’m currently studying to become a licensed mental health therapist hoping to focus on athletes and their mental health.
3. Which department are you interning for and what are you most looking forward to?
I am currently interning with the Send Silence Packing® Team. I was fortunate enough to experience the Send Silence Packing® event at NCAT. Overall, I am looking forward to learning more about the logistics of this award-winning event and meeting new people within this amazing non-profit.
4. What is your favorite self-care activity and why?
My favorite self-care activity is listening to music and research. In terms of research, I love looking up things I’m interested in such as astrology!
5. Name your top three favorite musical artists.
First, the whole YSL but especially Young Thug and Gunna. Next, I’d probably say Summer Walker… all hits no misses! Lastly, I’d say that Tyler, the Creator would be my cherry on top.
6. What’s a hobby you wish you put more time towards?
Three hobbies I wish I put more time into are meditation, yoga, and roller skating.
7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself as a fully-licensed therapist, making strides in research about mental health and athletes. Hopefully, I’ll be working directly with this population and spreading more awareness about the importance of our role, as mental health professionals, and how it positively affects not only the athletes but the teams and organizations as a whole.
8. What’s your dream vacation?
I would love to go to Canada, specifically Toronto or Ottawa.
9. What’s an unusual habit/tradition/superstition that you have?
One thing about me, I’m always going to take a pinky promise seriously no matter the reason for the pinky promise… a pinky promise is a pinky promise and I expect every person involved to take it as seriously as I do.
10. How do you resonate with Active Minds’ mission?
One thing I think a lot of people can agree on is how important mental health became due to a global pandemic. We all started to notice how we did not really take care of ourselves due to our own individual reasons, as well as how the media we view can take a mental toll on our lives in different ways. I think it’s bittersweet that it had to take the world “shutting down” for a lot of us to look internally. What I truly love about Active Minds’ mission and approach is that the passion and pursuit are there and the expansion and emphasis on our younger generations is just amazing. I think it’s important for people to know what mental health is and how it is just as important as going to the doctor for a physical or the dentist for a yearly cleaning. Having open discussions about mental health at a young age can help debunk the various restrictions people may have about mental health. Active Minds has a great way of doing that with the various programs they offer such as having speakers that can speak directly on topics that represent that specific community. Even with the Send Silence Packing® event and Behind the Backpacks, those are events I would consider to be practical because those events provide more insight into how important mental health is not only for yourself but the people around you.
Sadiya Lucas
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Michigan and have lived in the metro Detroit area my entire life.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
Currently, I am a third-year psychology student at the amazing Tuskegee University.
3. Which department are you interning for and what are you most looking forward to?
As a student with a heavy interest in research within the mental health field, I chose to apply to be a research and evaluation intern with Active Minds. As an intern, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to conduct research in a professional setting, provide assistance to the research and evaluation team, and network with Active Mind employees and partnering professionals.
4. What is your favorite self-care activity and why?
My favorite self-care activity is taking myself out on movie dates. As someone who loves their personal time and cinema, after a pandemic closed down movie theaters for one and a half years, I try to go whenever I have the time.
5. Name your top three favorite musical artists.
Out of my top three, my absolute favorite is R&B artist Lucky Daye. My second favorite would be Drake and I guess you consider some of his songs R&B as well, but I would say he leans more into hip-hop/rap. Last, but certainly not least, my third favorite would have to go to a throwback artist: Anita Baker.
6. What’s a hobby you wish you put more time towards?
I wish I put more time into self-care hobbies: reading, cooking, and investing in trying new self-care items for skin and hair.
7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself as a research psychiatrist who specializes in data analyses and psychological treatment/health in communities. With this role, I hope I can contribute valuable research and analysis to a multitude of organizations and nonprofits.
8. What’s your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would definitely be Venice, Italy!
9. What’s an unusual habit/tradition/superstition that you have?
From when I was a baby till now, I have always had to sleep with white noises playing in the background; it can be a microwave, vacuum, television background… you name it.
10. How do you resonate with Active Minds’ mission?
With Active Minds prioritizing mental health awareness amongst young adults, I resonate with their mission greatly as my ultimate goal is to lessen mental health inequities in not just young adults, but in underrepresented, minority communities.
Jimena Perez
1. Where are you from?
I am originally from Nicaragua but I have resided in Chicago, IL for 10 years.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I am a fourth-year student at Albion College in Michigan, majoring in art history and minoring in Spanish.
3. Which department are you interning for and what are you most looking forward to?
I am interning with the K-12 Initiatives and Chapters Teams. I look forward to getting a peek into what it takes to create such amazing student-led programs and organizations as the Mental Health Advocacy Academy. I also look forward to gaining more experience and skills in the mental health advocacy field for me to continue being an active advocate, especially for underrepresented and underserved communities.
4. What is your favorite self-care activity and why?
My favorite self-care activity is doing my skincare routine every day/night. My primary reason is that at the end of the day, I can feel relaxed after using my favorite skincare products. It’s a reminder that the day has ended and I get to rest. In the morning, it gives me a boost of energy, and it makes me feel more awake and ready to start my day.
5. Name your top three favorite musical artists.
Some of my favorite musical artists are Anatomy Rabbit (a Thai alternative band), Blackbeans (a Thai indie band), and Camila (a Mexican ballad band).
6. What’s a hobby you wish you put more time towards?
A hobby I wish I would put more time towards is reading. Because of my schedule, it has been a bit challenging to prioritize reading non-academic books. I also wish I could put more time into photography.
7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself working at a museum (looking at you, the MET) as a curator and also traveling the world to enrich myself culturally as much as possible. My goal is to travel to at least two countries per continent/region.
8. What’s your dream vacation?
My dream vacation is definitely somewhere in Japan. I am a city lover, but I also enjoy peaceful surroundings. I’d like to visit Tokyo to explore the city, and I’d like to visit Kyoto to see their temples and garden scenery. Plus, I’m the biggest fan of Japanese architecture you’ll ever meet!
9. What’s an unusual habit/tradition/superstition that you have?
I’m not sure if it’s an unusual tradition but for my birthday over the past 6 years, I always get rolled ice cream. If I don’t, then, did I really celebrate my birthday?
10. How do you resonate with Active Minds’ mission?
I resonate with Active Minds’ mission through my strong belief that young adults’ voices matter. Mental health is something that everyone has, and I am committed to inspiring and helping people start discussions about mental health without stigmatizing it. The way we can get to that point is by encouraging those around us to seek help when they need it and to never suffer alone. Not only will this create much safer environments, but it will also help change the culture about mental health and highlight its true significance. I believe that education, knowledge, and empowerment are what will bring us together and fight against the systemic structures that prevent equity.
Grace Storey
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I am a senior at American University in Washington D.C. I’m majoring in communications, legal institutions, economics, and government studies.
3. Which department are you interning for and what are you most looking forward to?
I’m interning for the Development Team. I’m most looking forward to working on all of the cool fundraising initiatives we have!
4. What is your favorite self-care activity and why?
My favorite self-care activity is rewatching my favorite movies. There is something so comforting about revisiting these worlds and characters that helps me turn off my brain for a while.
5. Name your top three favorite musical artists.
I love Rina Sawayama, Louis Tomlinson, and Phoebe Bridgers.
6. What’s a hobby you wish you put more time towards?
Knitting! I keep trying to learn but I never seem to have the time.
7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In 10 years I hope to be surrounded by people that I love and in a career that makes me happy. I try to be gentle with myself when setting goals like this, as I see personal fulfillment as a better measure of success than material goals.
8. What’s your dream vacation?
I’m not really picky when it comes to location. Maybe a year-long cruise that goes all over the world? I would love to visit at least one country on every continent.
9. What’s an unusual habit/tradition/superstition that you have?
I have a large collection of mugs, but certain mugs are meant for specific things. I would never put tea in my coffee mug, or vice versa. I also have mugs associated with specific people. So when someone comes over they have their designated mug.
10. How do you resonate with Active Minds’ mission?
Mental health advocacy has always been a personal mission of mine. I’ve seen the effect that stigmatizing the conversation can have, and I am committed to changing this and making people more aware of mental health. In my community, mental health was never part of the conversation. I am glad that I have been a part of that change, but I know that the work is nowhere near done. Active Minds’ work is leading the charge to educate and raise awareness around young adult mental health.
Taylor Wells
1. Where are you from?
I’m from a small town in Northeast Pennsylvania called Mountain Top, near Scranton, PA.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I’m currently a senior at Temple University in Philadelphia studying communication and social influence with a minor in general business.
3. Which department are you interning for and what are you most looking forward to?
I’m interning for the Development Team, and I’m really looking forward to learning more about different aspects of development from the amazing group here at Active Minds! Specifically, I’m looking forward to learning more about corporate partnerships, and I’m loving getting to work on prospective donor research and database maintenance.
4. What is your favorite self-care activity and why?
My favorite self-care activity is taking some time to read every day. I’ve always loved books and I find they’re such a great way to take a step back and enjoy some quiet time with my favorite characters. I love a good story to get my mind off the stress of the day!
5. Name your top three favorite musical artists.
At the moment I’m loving Hozier, Leith Ross, and Phoebe Bridgers. I’m a mood listener though, so it varies day to day, and I love a good mood playlist!
6. What’s a hobby you wish you put more time towards?
I learned how to crochet over the summer, but since the semester started, I haven’t gotten the chance to pick it up again. I ended up getting a bit overzealous and buying a lot of extra yarn, so I’m working on a scrap-yarn blanket. I would love to get it finished by winter, but that’s definitely a stretch goal!
7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I’d love to be established in a nonprofit organization with a mission that I care about, doing work that makes a positive impact on my community.
8. What’s your dream vacation?
I’d love a week at some beautiful, tropical beach where I can just lay around in the sun, read books, eat delicious food, and look at palm trees. I’m not picky about location, but that’s the vibe I’m going for.
9. What’s an unusual habit/tradition/superstition that you have?
I always get stickers from different places, whether it be an art fair, a small business, or a souvenir shop, but I never stick them to anything. I have a corkboard in my room with like 30 stickers that are waiting to be stuck to the perfect thing, but I can’t decide what that perfect thing is.
10. How do you resonate with Active Minds’ mission?
My family lost my uncle Darrin to suicide when he was 21 years old, and though I never got the opportunity to know him personally, I’ve seen how that loss has had an impact on my grandparents and the rest of my family throughout my life. Growing up with that experience has given me an awareness of how important breaking the silence surrounding mental health is and has impressed on me that mental health resources for young adults are essential. Active Minds is doing such important work for young adults across the country, and supporting and maintaining our mental health and changing the culture around mental health is paramount.
If you’re interested in interning for Active Minds in the future, click here to learn more.
