General

March 31, 2023 — As a Transgender man, I’ve always noticed the many ways people convey their shock that I am a man before and during transition. It was just this morning that someone asked me, “You have a feminine voice, are you a girl?” and I had to “out” myself to feel affirmed. I remember being in an […]

March 30, 2023 — Have you ever heard someone say, “The weather has been so bipolar”? Or make an off-hand comment of “He’s been acting so bipolar,” when someone’s mood has been more erratic than usual? These phrases, while seemingly harmless, actually have a deeper impact than we might realize. When we use mental illnesses like bipolar disorder as […]

March 16, 2023 — “You can’t afford to not pay attention to what’s going on with student mental health.” That sentiment has inspired Active Minds’ work for nearly two decades, including the recent release of our report “Lessons from Black Colleges on Mental Health and Wellbeing.” Created by Active Minds and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), this report […]

March 15, 2023 — When Active Minds received a three-year $3 million grant last year from United Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Optum, our team could not have imagined the impact that this partnership would have on the growth of our community. We are proud to announce that thanks to their support, we are bringing our proven peer-to-peer […]

March 13, 2023 — Are you a high school student looking to become more involved in mental health advocacy in your community? Chances are, if you’re reading this, you fit this description or know someone who does. Well, allow me to tell you some amazing news: the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy is gearing up to take on […]

March 10, 2023 — The relationship between physical and mental health is one that is becoming increasingly apparent — including among top-performing athletes. Professional athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka have made clear the impact their mental well-being has on their athletic performance, and we are better understanding how we can support student athletes in protecting their mental […]

March 8, 2023 — Happy International Women’s Day to all the women who continue to stay strong and work hard to fight the injustice that clouds our reproductive rights. As a woman, mother of three, and student, I’d like to talk about the impact of recently proposed policies concerning reproductive freedom on student mental health and the importance of […]

February 27, 2023 — Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of disordered eating/eating disorders.  Starting college can introduce a lot of new stressors in our daily lives, both expected and unexpected. You might be ready for long nights of studying, trouble making friends, or bouts of homesickness. However, what you might not expect is the impact that living on […]

February 20, 2023 — Today, on World Social Justice Day, we are reminded of the ongoing struggle to create a more just and equitable society for all. Addressing racial inequality is one of the key components of this effort to ensure marginalized communities have access to the same opportunities and resources as others and recognize the unique challenges faced […]

February 17, 2023 — My name is Dr. Dena Keeling — I’m the vice president of equity and inclusion at Active Minds. I like to say that I was born to judge systems of inequity and oppression, to bring justice by creating new antiracist systems, and to celebrate Black people in all of our intersectionalities. After all, my name […]