Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of violence, death, and suicide. Today, November 20th, marks the 25th occurrence of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Initially created in 1999 as a vigil to memorialize Rita Hester and all others lost to anti-transgender violence that year, this day of observance has since evolved into a global movement. Transgender…
Whether you’re racing in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, NYC, or anywhere in between — Team Active Minds helps you run for a purpose. Those looking to contribute to mental health change can use fitness to add meaning to their miles by partnering with Active Minds while completing marathons, bike rides, and endurance events in their communities. It’s easy…
Election results can induce emotions, whether celebratory or stressful. Let’s be real: the results of this week’s presidential election have had an especially heavy impact on many of us and with an uncertain road ahead, we may be juggling intense feelings of stress, regardless of political beliefs. Going into the presidential election this year, reported…
Election season often brings heavy political discussions. The constant barrage of political narratives, whether in debates, news outlets, social media, or even around the dinner table, can take a significant toll on your mental health. As an immigrant with a large immigrant family, I find dinner conversations especially frustrating. My family’s values differ from mine…
To undergo the painful process of self-reflection regarding an eating disorder, and then follow that up with the gut-wrenching vulnerability of asking for help, is a process that should only be met with a simple answer: let’s get you the help you need. However, the unfortunate reality is that, for many people, this terrifying request…
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…
From the students (officers): Aliyah Chapman, Liz Kowlski, Rylee McTernan, Morin Yacoub, and Maren Bowmen This blog was written by student leaders at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School about their experiences advancing mental health in their community. This is the first of two pieces sharing the story of these students’ advocacy. To read about this journey/story…
It’s never too early to start planning for your future. As you return to school looking forward to charting a new year, it’s important to consider how your actions today inform your path tomorrow. This new season is the perfect time to start thinking about your career and plans for the future. Many of you…
As a former educator on the south side of Chicago, I know firsthand the excitement and challenges of launching a new school year. The start of the school year sets the tone for what’s to come. We plan everything—the schedules, the curricula, the safety drills—but too often, mental health programming gets overlooked. And in today’s…
The Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy (Academy) is a leadership development and mental health advocacy program that equips BIPOC and LGBTQ+ high school students to address mental health-related issues and affect change in their schools, communities, and states. Recently, four alumni from the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy told us about their experiences and…
Active Minds is the largest nonprofit in the United States mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms across society.