When I ran my chapter’s first meeting, I was an anxious wreck. I didn’t know how to run a meeting “properly” and was afraid of failure and judgment from my peers. I had decided to start an Active Minds chapter because I saw a need at my school for a dedicated space where students could feel supported, connect with others, and learn about mental health without judgment. As president, I felt the pressure of making sure my Active Minds chapter was the mental health space we had all been craving; I scattered around the classroom, in an attempt to make sure everything was perfect. It wasn’t until I settled down and took a deep breath that I realized my goal wasn’t to be perfect; it was to provide a space for my peers to feel as if they belonged and talk with them about the importance of mental health.
I knew that if the chapter was going to be a supportive mental health space, the first meeting needed to set the right tone. I felt that focusing on appreciation would be a perfect first topic because of how it impacts our relationships and the way we view life. Before I began the meeting, I wanted to ensure that the people who attended not only felt welcomed, but as if they could come back if needed. To create a welcoming space, I baked and brought in one of my specialties, a tres leches cake, and made sure everyone had a slice. It was a hit! My vice president and I then introduced ourselves and used a slideshow to talk about the relevance of appreciation for mental health.
After our icebreakers, which were a bit awkward as icebreakers usually are, it was time for our activity: writing appreciation letters! We set up a table of materials for people to make notes of appreciation for the supportive people in their lives; it was full of card templates, markers, and colored pencils. It was sweet to see that many of our members wrote cards dedicated to their friends who came to the meeting with them. While they were writing their cards, I went up to everyone, introduced myself personally, and started a conversation. This was an important step for me. I remember attending club meetings alone and feeling unwelcome, which discouraged me from returning. I wanted to make sure no one else felt that way. My goal was to form genuine relationships with our members and foster a sense of belonging for everyone.
After my first chapter meeting, I was joyful, smiling from ear to ear. It went exactly the way I had hoped and gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed to continue leading that space. What I loved most about that first meeting was hearing how positively our chapter members received it. Knowing that people enjoyed the space I created for them warmed my heart and made me excited for the next meetings. I’m grateful for the encouragement my vice president and I received from our members. The most rewarding part was realizing that the support flowed both ways; our members were there for us just as much as we were there for them. We were building a COMMUNITY. Seeing familiar faces in our following meetings and realizing that we had regulars was one of the most rewarding feelings ever, and feeling that belonging is a highlight of every single meeting.
Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community?
If you’re inspired by the idea of creating a welcoming and supportive community in your school, consider starting an Active Minds chapter. You have the power to make a real difference and help normalize conversations about mental health. Learn more about how to get started by visiting our website or checking out our recent blog post from the chapter team on how to start a chapter!
