Holidays & Observances
Let’s Check In: Embracing The Many Feelings of Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to check in. This time of the year — filled with talks of going home to visit family and favorite Thanksgiving foods or traditions — can mean a million different things, depending on who you’re speaking with. Whether you are feeling…
A Note From Alison on International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
Today is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. A day where millions around the world come together to remember those we have lost to suicide. For me, every day is one that I remember and miss my brother, Brian. He was wickedly smart, had an amazing, dry wit, an unexpectedly low bass singing voice, a…
What does it mean to support young trans people in an unsupportive world?
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…
Prioritizing Your Voice and Mental Health This Election Season
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…
Let Girls Be Girls: Navigating the Maze of Girls’ Mental Health
There seems to be a pop culture shift happening. The word “girl” has gone from once being used as a schoolyard insult to an everyday compliment with phrases like “That’s so girl,” its own budgeting strategy with “girl math,” an exercise with “hot girl walks,” and even 2023 being marked as the “Year of the…
You Can Restart Anytime: Expectations of New Year’s Resolutions vs. Reality
The new year brings intentions of resetting, creating goals, and making the most of this fresh start. Often, we find ourselves adopting new habits, exploring unfamiliar routines, and working towards the “best” version of ourselves. However, this exciting time of renewal and change can often come with heightened expectations. It’s easy to get consumed with…
Improving Your Mental Wellness: Where to Start
The clinical definition of well-being comprises four components: the individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the everyday stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community. Simple, right? If only. In my one and half years as a college student, I have learned the importance of stress management, which…
Handling Mental Health Conversations With Family During the Holidays
The holiday season can bring us so much cheer and emotional wealth, including the opportunity to reunite with family and loved ones. As we adjust to a new routine and, at times, a new environment around the holidays, it can also be difficult to navigate the mental health challenges we may be facing or bringing…
Three Ways to Support Transgender People’s Mental Health During Difficult Times
As a transgender man, Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day that’s near and dear to my heart. For most transgender and gender non-conforming youth, it is one of the ways we honor our elders, peers, and history, even if we cannot come out. In 2023, we are honoring the 19 transgender and non-binary siblings…
Mental Health in Schools: How to Support Students AND Educators
As an educator in the classroom and a former principal on the South Side of Chicago, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that students and staff alike face. American Education Week provides a crucial opportunity to shed light on an issue that continues to be ignored: the need to support the mental health of both students…
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.