Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of suicide.
Welcome to our amazing group of summer 2022 interns! We’re so excited to work with them to continue changing the conversation around mental health.
Sofia Alvarez
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Newark, DE.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I am a rising junior at the University of Delaware majoring in international relations and minoring in French and European studies.
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
I am interning for the Development Team. I’m most excited to help in coordinating fundraiser events and learn more about the donor process.
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
I have realized that being a college student can add stress and create feelings of burnout. I’m passionate about mental health because it’s important to find a balance between academics and finding time to take care of yourself.
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
My biggest advice for getting through hard times is to create a support system, whether it be made up of family, friends, or even a pet! During COVID times, it can be easy to close yourself off and feel isolated. While I think it’s important to find time to reflect and take care of yourself, I also think it’s good to reach out and maintain relationships.
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
My favorite self-care activity is lighting a candle and meditating!
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
Knowing that I have a full day ahead of me as a fresh start motivates me to get out of bed in the morning. Even if I’m not feeling super productive, I like the idea of every day bringing new opportunities.
8. What is a fun fact about you?
I was born in Pocatello, Idaho, and moved to Delaware when I was eight! In Idaho, I learned how to ski when I was young and still love to go skiing in the winter.
Tyree Crumpley
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Fort Lauderdale, FL.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I’m currently a senior at Aurora University studying graphic design.
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
This semester, I’m interning for the Design Team.
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
I am passionate about mental health because I believe help in all forms should be accessible to everyone.
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
The advice I have is to know that the nature of things are always temporary and time heals all wounds with the assistance of love and care.
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
My favorite self-care activity is drawing.
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
Knowing I can make a positive impact on someone’s life gets me out of bed each day.
8. What is a fun fact about you?
I have never seen the film “Home Alone.”
Amera Finnie
1. Where are you from?
I’m from The Woodlands, TX.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I’m a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California studying communications.
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
I am interning for the Communications Team at Active Minds and am looking forward to being surrounded by such an inspiring group of people.
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
I am passionate about mental health because it impacts everyone. I believe it is a prominent topic that does not receive the attention it deserves. The effect it has had on my life, my friends and family, and my generation inspires me to help educate others and spread awareness as we change the conversation surrounding mental health.
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
Covid-19 served as a break from the fast pace of life we find ourselves accustomed to. This taught me to enjoy all the little things. During difficult times, I believe it is especially important to stop every once in a while and appreciate all the little beauties of life we often take for granted.
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
My favorite self-care activity is lighting a candle and meditating!
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
Knowing that every day is a new beginning and you never know what the day will bring gets me out of bed.
8. What is a fun fact about you?
I can juggle!
Alina Kalmeyer
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Menlo Park, CA.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I am a rising senior at Kenyon College, majoring in studio art and minoring in anthropology.
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
I am interning with the Send Silence Packing (SSP) Team. I’m excited to help expand the SSP program so that it can continue to stay relevant and impactful in meeting the mental health needs of young people across the country! I’m looking forward to working for a team that has such huge potential for positive impact, and I can’t wait to learn from their insights to become a better advocate and coworker.
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
Our mental health is central in defining how we show up in the world outwardly and internally each day. It shapes us. I believe that everyone who is struggling deserves access to mental health care, resources, and support; this is something my peers and I could have benefited from throughout our lives growing up and now. As an intern, I hope to expand access to resources and support by contributing to Active Minds’ advocacy programs!
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
Like many of us, the pandemic taught me to take life one day at a time and remember that “This too shall pass.” I challenged myself to practice gratitude in some form each day; having awareness of the things that serve us is equally important to overcoming the things that don’t.
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
I love listening to music! I have playlists for every possible mood. Taking time to sit, drive, or dance to music when I’m feeling drained really helps me reconnect with myself!
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
If I’m being honest…my alarm. Once I’m up though, my consistent, slow morning routine helps me to set an intention for the day. No matter how busy or stressful the day ahead is, I’m able to create space for my needs.
8. What is a fun fact about you?
I am the first generation of my family to be born in America!
Kelsey Pacetti 
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Verona, WI.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater! I studied social work with minors in theater arts and special education.
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
I am on the Chapters Team! Active Minds has been my safe place for the last five years. As I just completed my time as chapter president at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, as well as my tenure on the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee, I couldn’t imagine a better internship. I’m incredibly excited to see how Active Minds operates at the national level. I’m also excited about the opportunity to grow professionally through communication, collaboration, and gaining skills from the national staff members.
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
I found my drive and passion through my personal mental health struggles and within my Active Minds chapter. As a multiple suicide attempt survivor, I have found power within vulnerability and I have become a strong advocate for ending the stigma that surrounds mental health. I never want anyone to feel alone or that their life isn’t worth living. I want to create a help-seeking culture. We ALL have mental health!
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
Treat yourself with compassion and remember that it’s okay not to be okay! Be proud of your small accomplishments and remember that we have tomorrow for a reason.
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
Going to therapy, journaling, doing crafts, being with people I love, and getting outside are all ways I practice self-care.
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
My girlfriend and cats (and of course a good cup of coffee)!
8. What is a fun fact about you?
I have met Rainn Wilson and Leslie David Baker from “The Office.”
Gabrielle Yaptinchay
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Gaithersburg, MD.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I am currently in the last semester of my Master’s in Public Health program at Tulane University!
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
I am interning for the Research and Evaluation Team, and I am most excited about continuing the projects I started with the team last semester.
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
Coming from the Philippines, where mental health is stigmatized, especially learning quickly through the attitudes of my parents who “don’t believe in it,” I realized the importance of providing resources and being an active advocate for others.
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
Remember to give yourself and others grace and patience at all times!
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
I love reading on my Kindle.
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
The idea of a new beginning and opportunity gets me out of bed each morning!
8. What is a fun fact about you?
I am an only child and my eyes are two different shades of brown.
Zoe Zitner
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Washington, D.C.
2. Where do you (or did you) go to school? What do you study?
I’m currently a rising junior at Connecticut College, where I’m double majoring in psychology and dance!
3. What department are you interning for, and what are you most excited about?
I’m interning with the Social Media Team and I’m excited to help make content across social media platforms that is helpful, encouraging, and creative!
4. Why are you passionate about mental health?
I’m passionate about mental health because I believe that taking care of one’s mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being. I believe that young people have been disproportionately impacted by the ongoing stressors of our time. Our lives have been disrupted and our mental health has collectively suffered. I want to ensure that my generation does not feel alone in moments of despair and help to change the stigma associated with mental health treatment to one of “normal” holistic health care.
5. Over the past few years, Covid-19 has presented us with many new challenges and changes. What advice do you have for getting through hard times like these?
Something that has helped me to stay grounded is keeping a gratitude journal. Each morning I take a few minutes to write down something that I’m grateful for. This simple practice allows me to organize my thoughts and reminds me of all the good things in life.
6. What is your favorite self-care activity?
My favorite self-care activity is dancing!
7. What makes you get out of bed each morning?
My curiosity gets me out of bed each morning – there is always something new to learn and discover.
8. What is a fun fact about you?
When I was really young I was an actress on PBS Kids!
If you’re interested in interning for Active Minds in the future, click here to learn more.
