Active Minds has had another successful internship semester with the 2024 Fall class, and as this intern cohort finishes up their semester with us, we want to take a moment to reflect on their incredible contributions to mental health advocacy. Throughout the semester, these interns have demonstrated dedication and creativity in promoting mental well-being. Get to know a little bit more about them including their personal beliefs on mental health, advice for future interns, and more!
Chigozie (she/her)
Programs Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I attend Boston University, and I am studying Public health with concentrations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics along with mental health.
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
If I could change one thing about the world and had unlimited resources, I would build free/all-inclusive wellness and community centers where people could not only focus on physical health but also have resources for mental health, such as counseling/therapy and career help.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
Mental health advocacy is important to me because I know many people who have lived experience with mental health within my community as an African American. Mental health Advocacy empowers people to recognize and understand mental health, which hopefully reduces the stigma around mental health, whereas, in some communities, it is still heavily stigmatized. Many factors influence mental health, and advocacy brings awareness to the social, cultural, and historical contexts that contribute to a person’s mental health and well-being.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds I would say do it! So many great people are willing to have conversations not just about work but about life. Active Minds creates a workplace that encourages interns to speak and be heard, ask questions and really understand the work and the way Active Minds runs. Interning with Active Minds has been a great experience.
Lee (Any Pronouns)
Development, Community Fundraising Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I studied Psychology at UC Davis.
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
I would address the issue of wealth inequality. Even a small percent of billionaires’ net worth could be spent funding public goods like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while also covering issues like poverty and student debt. It could also mean restructuring economic systems to ensure fairer wages and compensation, a healthier work schedule, and opportunities for everyone to succeed without the extreme concentration of wealth.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
In a culture that values career advancement and monetary gain, self-care is overlooked as a necessary part of our survival. It’s so easy to get lost in what we aspire to do that we lose sight of what we need to do. It took several experiences of burnout for me to realize that if I truly wanted to be the best version of myself, I had to look after my mental health.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take chances, because you can only gain from those experiences. Even if the outcome isn’t what you expected, it’s still a learning opportunity!
Marc Jr. (He/Him)
Graphic Design Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I graduated with a BA in Graphic Design and am returning to the University of Akron for a Masters in Communication.
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
I’d change how money works, the less time you have to worry about bills and trying to survive the more time you can spend trying to enjoy life.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
Mental health advocacy is important to me because it’s facet of human life that we don’t think about. Life is changing fast and often times thinking about how our mental health is doing comes as an afterthought, which leads to people simply not taking care of it at all. Advocacy can not only educate people about their mental health, but it can also be an safe haven for people to be themselves, regardless of their background and circumstances.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
Do it. Active Minds is treasure trove full of unique people, and experiences. The people you meet along the way will teach you more than anything you learned in college. At least they did for me. Now why are you still reading this, hit the apply button, or don’t…..but you should.
Michaela (she/her)
Development and Operations Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I am a Senior studying Writing & Rhetoric and Women’s and Gender Studies at Syracuse University.
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
Of the many things I would change about the world, one of them would be to increase access for higher educational opportunities. Free university education for all would be a relief for generations to come. My first-generation and low income college student identities mean a lot to me and I have held numerous on-campus roles assisting students in similar economic backgrounds as they adjust to college. I am a strong believer that financial status should not be an added stressor while pursuing a degree.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
Mental health has personally affected my experience as a student, and I’ve seen firsthand its impact on my generation of youth and young adults. Opening the floor for honest and vulnerable conversations surrounding mental health, and advocating for change to dismantle these stigmas, is a personal passion of mine.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
Connect, connect, & connect! The team at Active Minds welcomes their interns with open arms and are more than happy to connect about not only professional endeavors, but to get to know you on a personal level. Take advantage of offers like coffee chats, working on projects with other members of your team, and use Slack to connect with your fellow interns to stay together in a remote working environment.
Nicole (she/her)
Community Programs Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree of Psychology from the University of Virginia in May of 2024.
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
I would implement accessible and affordable—or even free—mental health screenings and services for everyone, reaching across both public and private sectors. This would include schools, workplaces, community organizations like churches, and after-school programs. Such a program would ensure that mental health support is available in every community setting, making it easier for individuals to access essential care and proactively support their mental well-being.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
Mental health advocacy is vital to me because it embodies a holistic approach to healthcare. As someone aspiring to a healthcare career, I believe true well-being involves not just physical health but also mental, emotional, and social health. Mental health advocacy, especially, is important because it is often stigmatized and overlooked in many populations, particularly among underrepresented and BIPOC communities. This lack of attention leads to significant disparities in support, resources, and education around mental health, mental illness, and lifelong mental well-being. By advocating for mental health, we can help bridge these gaps, empower individuals, and work toward equity in healthcare for all communities.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice to someone considering an internship at Active Minds, it would be to take every opportunity to learn and connect. Set clear goals at the beginning so you always have something to circle back to with your supervisor. This will help guide your projects and assignments to align with your goals, making your experience more meaningful and targeted. Schedule as many coffee chats as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions—it’s your chance to dive deep into the work and build relationships. Make the most of every experience, because the time will fly by faster than you expect. This is your time to grow, so be proactive in getting everything you can out of it!
Nyah (She/her)
Workforce Development Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I attend Howard University, and I am a psychology major and human development minor.
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
I would want marginalized communities to have better access and knowledge on mental health and how it can affect them and the people around them.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
Mental health advocacy is important to me because it helps breakdown the stigmas that keeps people from seeking help and becoming more knowledgeable. I believe everyone deserves access to mental health resources and understanding, especially the communities that have been historically underrepresented.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
One piece of advice I would give someone who is interested in interning at Active Minds would be to be open to sharing their stories and listening to others share their experiences and stories too. Both sharing and listening to these stories and experiences will help you connect, learn, and be able to make an impact at Active Minds and in the world.
Uche (she/her)
Communications Team
Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
Boston College, double majoring in Marketing and Communications
If you could change one thing about the world (and you had unlimited resources), what would you change?
I would want to distribute all the excess wealth of all the billionaires around the world and give it back to communities that are suffering with various issues such as poverty, homelessness and starvation.
Why is mental health advocacy important to you?
Mental health is something that everyone has to deal, it is something that is so invisible yet so detrimental to the livelihood of so many. I believe it is necessary to make sure people understand the ways in which they can take care of their mental health and also know when and how they can ask for help if needed. No one should have to go through that battle alone.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about interning at Active Minds, what would it be?
Coffee Chats! They are such a great way to get to know those other people working in your team and I have gotten such amazing advice by chatting with such a diverse array of people. It has also shown me how kind and welcoming each person working at Active Minds is and has made my experience interning even better.
